29 April 2025
We’re proud to share that FirstPort Associate Director, Natalie, has been recognised by The Property Institute (TPI) for her outstanding legal paper in the Level 4 Member Exam in Leasehold and Property Management.
Natalie received the Brethertons Legal Award, which celebrates individuals who demonstrate a strong understanding of the legal complexities of residential property management and achieve high marks in this part of the exam.
We caught up with Natalie to talk about her career journey, the importance of professional development, and her reaction to winning the award.
Congratulations on the award. How did it feel to be recognised by TPI?
Honestly, I was so shocked at first. Once it sank in, it was a really nice moment, not just to be recognised, but to confirm that the hard work has paid off.
In day-to-day work, especially when you’re out on-site, you don’t always get to apply the legal knowledge directly. So, having that understanding acknowledged in such a formal way really validated the work I’ve put in over the years.
Can you tell us more about your career journey at FirstPort?
I’ve been with FirstPort for about five and a half years now. I started as a Development Manager at a large site in Cardiff, then moved into a Regional Manager role on secondment. After that, I took on a Property Manager position, which eventually led to my current role as Associate Director, something I’ve been doing for the last three years.
What’s been great is the chance to move between roles and gain different perspectives. For example, large complex sites mean you need deep knowledge about a specific development type, but when I moved to a role managing multiple types of properties, I learned much more – handling Section 20 projects, legal disputes, and working with varied clients. That breadth of experience really fast-tracked my growth.
I also recently took on a Later Living portfolio, which is teaching me a whole new side of property management. Sometimes, a side-step in your career can be more valuable than a straight progression because it broadens your understanding and skill set.
What kind of professional development opportunities have helped you grow in your role?
FirstPort puts a lot of emphasis on professional development and it’s really important when it comes to being an effective Property Manager. The industry-accredited Property Management 101 programme delivered internally is a brilliant starting point for new starters. It covers everything from leasehold training to fire and building safety. Even though I completed mine retrospectively, I think it’s a fantastic induction for anyone joining the business.
Personally, I’ve gone through the TPI qualifications – from Associate to Member – while also completing CPD hours through training provided by both suppliers and internal resources. The variety of experiences and challenges across my portfolio have helped reinforce that learning in a practical way.
Would you recommend working at FirstPort?
Yes, absolutely. Being the largest property management company in the UK brings a lot of opportunity. We have an incredible amount of knowledge across our teams and many specialist departments.
That said, the last 12 to 18 months have been challenging—both for FirstPort and for the industry as a whole. But I believe we’re heading in the right direction. The changes we’re implementing now are already making a difference, and I think in the next 12 to 18 months, we’ll really see that hard work pay off. Change doesn’t happen overnight, but I’m confident we’re building something great.
What advice would you give to someone working in property management or just starting out?
Take every opportunity to learn, even if something doesn’t seem relevant to your role right now. Also, don’t be afraid to share your knowledge. We’re better as a business when we learn from each other. Whether it’s formal training or lessons from challenging sites, everything is a chance to grow and that benefits not just us as individuals, but our residents too.
If you are inspired by Natalie’s story and would like to explore a career at FirstPort, head over to the FirstPort careers page or contact: careers@firstport.co.uk
