Brothers hope they will be a hot property in family award

Bristol Evening Post - Friday March 26, 2010

Downend Brothers Ian and Andrew Simmonds are hoping their property management business will scoop a coveted Evening Post Business Award in 2010.

The Family Business Award, sponsored by law firm Veale Wasbrough, is one of eight honours to be announced at a glittering gala event on June 17 at the Marriott city centre hotel.

The brothers' father, Bruce Simmonds, managed a handful of properties as treasurer in his chartered accountancy practice and Andrew and Ian took these on, developing the business to where it is today.

BNS Management Services in Badminton Road, Downend, manages 120 blocks of flats around Bristol and is expanding with the recruitment of two more property managers.

Andrew Simmonds who set up the business with Ian in 2006, said: "We have seen strong growth in the last few years as people realise that they can appoint local managers to their apartment blocks, rather than deal with the larger agents."

"Lifestyle changes mean that more people are living on their own in apartments rather than houses.  They have busy schedules and dealing with all the issues of managing the blocks is a hassle they do not need".

"That - combined with the fact that many of the big national agencies that were appointed by developers to manage blocks when they were completed are not providing the level of service or value for money tenants want - has led to us picking up major work."

The awards are open to all firms in the Bristol BS postcode area.  The categories include a section for large companies with a turnover of more than £5 million and one for smaller firms whos turnover is less than £5m.  There are also categories for Family Business of the Year, Innovator of the Year, Entrepreneur, Social Responsibility, Lifetime Achievement and the overall Business of the Year honour.