Behind every great rental community is a great team

23rd Sept 26

Discover the people and careers shaping the resident experience at Colby River

Buildings, amenities and design may attract residents to a new home, but it is the people working behind the scenes who shape what it really feels like to live there.

Across 5,379 homes and 19 Build to Rent, Single-Family Rental and purpose-built student accommodation developments, Colby River’s General Managers and on-site teams help turn buildings into welcoming communities.

What does a General Manager do?

The role of a General Manager is much broader than many people realise. A typical day could include supporting a resident, reviewing leasing performance, leading the on-site team, planning a community event or identifying improvements to the building.

General Managers also oversee budgets, safety, compliance and operational performance. It is a varied career combining property management, hospitality, customer service, leadership, events and community engagement.

Recruiting for attitude as well as experience

Colby River looks beyond direct property experience when recruiting. It seeks people who put customers first, take ownership, show empathy and genuinely care about creating a positive resident experience. Many of these skills are transferable from sectors such as hospitality, retail, leisure, events and customer service.

Once people join the business, Colby River invests in their development, helping them build the knowledge and confidence needed to progress. General Managers also have the autonomy to bring their own ideas and personality to their communities.

Different people, different approaches

At Baltic Yard in Liverpool, General Manager Chani Hughes has created a varied programme of resident experiences, from breakfast treats and apartment “glow-ups” to pizza and prosecco evenings and building birthday celebrations. She is also helping to develop more interactive training for new on-site colleagues.

At Forbes Place, Adam Morrow is exploring new ways to add value to a community that has already been thriving for ten years. His “Step-tember” walking challenge has also brought Colby River colleagues together from Aberdeen to Exeter while supporting their wellbeing.

Meanwhile, Paul Sherrington, General Manager of Aston Place, Unity and Armouries, uses wine tastings, craft clubs, running groups and charitable collections to help residents connect with one another and the wider Birmingham community.

Each has a different approach, but all three demonstrate the creativity, leadership and care involved in managing a successful rental community.

A career that makes a difference

Behind that result are the people who know the residents, understand their communities and bring the experience to life every day.

For anyone interested in a career combining people, property, leadership and creativity, Build to Rent offers more variety than its name might suggest and the chance to make a visible difference to the places people call home.

Meet three of Colby River’s General Managers:

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