Katherine Rees
11 Llanbedr Road,Crickhowell
Summary
Highly motivated and versatile professional with over 15 years of leadership and operational management experience within the banking and cash management sector, alongside 12 years of experience in the property industry. Progressing from Vault Administrator to Team Leader and Deputy Depot Manager, I have developed strong expertise in cash operations, compliance, discrepancy investigations, KPI management, staff development, and operational efficiency.
In my current dual role within banking and estate agency, I manage customer accounts, conduct savings reviews, oversee branch cash requirements, and deliver exceptional customer service, while also coordinating property valuations, viewings, sales progression, and negotiating successful property transactions. Recognised for building strong client relationships, improving processes, and delivering results in fast-paced environments.
Proficient in Microsoft Office, with excellent organisational, communication, and problem-solving skills, and a proven ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining high standards of accuracy, compliance, and customer satisfaction.
Overview
28
28
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Customer Consultant & Estate Agency
M2 Estate Agents
Usk, Monmouthshire
08.2025 - Current
- Manage customer savings accounts, opening new accounts and ensuring all regulatory and compliance requirements are met.
- Conduct savings reviews, identifying opportunities for customers to benefit from more suitable products and competitive interest rates.
- Order and manage branch cash deliveries within approved security limits, maintaining adequate cash levels and ensuring compliance with cash-handling procedures.
- Deliver excellent customer service through face-to-face interactions and telephone enquiries, resolving issues efficiently and building strong customer relationships.
- Coordinate and schedule property valuations, market appraisals, property take-ons, and viewing appointments for the estate agency team.
- Support the sales process from initial enquiry through to completion, acting as a key point of contact for buyers, sellers, and solicitors.
- Negotiate property sales between vendors and purchasers, achieving successful outcomes while maximising customer satisfaction.
- Maintain accurate customer and property records, ensuring all documentation is completed in line with company procedures.
- Manage administrative tasks including correspondence, appointment scheduling, sales progression, and database updates.
- Work effectively across both financial services and estate agency functions, balancing competing priorities while delivering a seamless customer experience.
Deputy Depot Manager – Cash Centre
Notemachine
Crickhowell, Powys
05.2018 - 04.2025
- Team Leadership & Staff Management: Lead and manage a team of 32 employees, including 22 CViT operatives, and 10 vault staff. Oversee rotas, holidays, grievances and performance management to ensure smooth day-to-day operations.
- Cash Discrepancy Investigations and Reconciliation: Conduct detailed investigations into cash discrepancies and implement corrective measures, ensuring the accurate reconciliation of large sums of money.
- Fleet Management & Logistics: Manage fleet operations, ensuring that vehicles are well maintained, equipped, and scheduled for efficient daily cash deliveries.
- KPIs Management and Staff Performance: Set and maintain KPIs for cash handling operations, delivery times, and team performance. Regularly communicate performance expectations to staff, and deliver KPI results, providing coaching and support to improve team performance.
- Staff Training & Development: Develop and deliver training programmes for vault operatives, ensuring compliance with industry standards and SOPs. Conduct ongoing staff development and performance reviews.
- ISO Compliance and Auditing: Perform regular audits in line with ISO 14001 and ISO 9001 standards, ensuring adherence to environmental and quality management protocols.
- Security & On-Call Management: Act as the primary contact for building security, providing on-call support, and handling emergency situations promptly and effectively.
- SIA Management: Ensure all staff are compliant with Security Industry Authority (SIA) regulations, and maintain necessary certifications.
Team Leader Supervisor
Notemachine
Crickhowell, Powys
04.2013 - 04.2018
- Led and managed a team of 15 employees, ensuring efficient and accurate handling of cash operations, and maintaining high security standards.
- Supervised daily operations, optimising workflows, and ensuring adherence to SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures) for cash handling and inventory control.
- Conducted regular training sessions, enhancing team skills in cash reconciliation, fraud prevention, and customer service.
- Monitored and reported on key performance indicators (KPIs), consistently meeting or exceeding targets for accuracy, efficiency, and productivity.
- Led cash discrepancy investigations, ensuring quick resolution, and maintaining compliance with regulatory requirements.
- Fostered a collaborative team environment, improving morale, and driving continuous improvement in operational standards.
- Managed the coordination of cash deliveries and collections, ensuring timely and secure transportation.
- Liaised with senior management to report on team performance, operational challenges, and process improvements.
- Maintained a high standard of health and safety practices within the depot, ensuring a safe working environment for all employees.
Vault Administrator
Notemachine
Crickhowell, Powys
08.2009 - 03.2013
- Assisted in managing daily cash operations by receiving and processing cash deliveries.
- Helped break down cash consignments and allocate funds to transport routes accurately.
- Supported reconciliation of cash volumes to ensure tracking and reporting of discrepancies.
- Coordinated operational teams by allocating staff based on workload and skills.
- Monitored CVIT operators to ensure compliance with security procedures and schedules.
- Provided operational support to field teams by handling incoming calls and raising engineer requests.
- Coordinated vehicle maintenance by liaising with maintenance teams to ensure fleet readiness.
- Maintained cash handling protocols to ensure compliance with company policies.
- Collaborated with departments to ensure smooth delivery of cash management operations.
Estate Agent Manager – Tredegar Office
Bairstow Eves
Tredegar, Gwent
01.2008 - 08.2009
- Property Appraisals & Listings: Successfully conducted property appraisals and signed contracts with vendors, expanding the property portfolio, and increasing revenue for the office.
- Client Relationship Management: Built and maintained strong relationships with clients, offering tailored solutions to meet their needs, and securing new business opportunities.
- Advertising & Marketing: Managed advertising campaigns across multiple platforms, including online listings, print media, and social media, to attract potential buyers and increase property visibility.
- Property Viewings & Sales Negotiation: Organised and attended property viewings, providing expert guidance to prospective buyers, and negotiating offers to achieve optimal sale prices.
- Sales Completion and Liaison with Solicitors: Managed the sales process from offer acceptance to completion, liaising with solicitors, surveyors, and other professionals to ensure smooth transactions and successful property completions.
- Team Leadership: Managed a team of estate agents, providing guidance and support to ensure sales targets were met, and customer service standards were consistently exceeded.
Sales Negotiator
Bairstow Eves
Ebbw Vale, Gwent
05.2005 - 01.2008
- Managed property sales from initial instruction through to completion, ensuring a smooth and efficient process for clients.
- Conducted property viewings, providing detailed information to prospective buyers, and answering queries to enhance sales opportunities.
- Negotiated sale prices and terms between buyers and sellers, securing the best possible deals while maintaining positive relationships with all parties.
- Built and maintained a strong pipeline of prospective buyers, developing leads through proactive networking, referrals, and marketing efforts.
- Prepared and presented property appraisals, advising sellers on market conditions, pricing strategies, and the best approach to achieve a quick sale.
- Produced accurate and professional property listings, ensuring they were marketed effectively across various online platforms, and in-house materials.
- Regularly updated clients on the progress of their sales, providing feedback from viewings and negotiations, and advising on any necessary adjustments.
- Ensured all necessary paperwork, including sales contracts, was accurately completed and submitted in line with legal and company requirements.
- Stayed up-to-date with the local property market trends, pricing, and regulations to provide informed advice to clients, and enhance sales opportunities.
- Achieved and exceeded sales targets through effective negotiation, exceptional customer service, and a results-driven approach.
Trainee Sales Negotiator/Secretary
Bairstow Eves
Brynmawr, Gwent
04.2003 - 05.2005
- Assisted with property viewings, accompanying clients, and providing detailed information on properties to enhance sales opportunities.
- Supported the sales team by liaising with prospective buyers, arranging follow-up appointments, and assisting in the negotiation process.
- Managed day-to-day administrative duties, including answering calls, handling inquiries, and directing clients to the appropriate agents.
- Scheduled property viewings, meetings, and valuations, ensuring smooth coordination of the office calendar.
- Assisted in preparing property listings for online platforms, ensuring all descriptions and details were accurate and up-to-date.
- Created and maintained client files, ensuring all documentation and communication were logged and organised correctly.
- Prepared contracts, letters, and other essential documents, ensuring accuracy and compliance with legal and company standards.
- Assisted with market research and property valuations, helping the sales team provide accurate advice to clients.
- Provided excellent customer service, ensuring client satisfaction through timely responses and updates on sales progress.
- Maintained office organisation and managed office supplies, ensuring a professional and efficient working environment.
- Developed knowledge of the property market and local trends to support sales efforts, and improve client interactions.
- Shadowed senior negotiators to learn sales techniques, negotiation strategies, and the property sales process.
Secretary
Darlows Estate Agent
Brynmawr, Gwent
02.1998 - 04.2003
- Provided administrative support to estate agents, ensuring the smooth day-to-day operation of the office.
- Managed incoming phone calls, emails, and client enquiries, directing them to the appropriate team members for follow-up.
- Scheduled property viewings, meetings, and appointments, ensuring optimal time management and coordination.
- Assisted with the preparation of property listings, ensuring all information was accurate, up to date, and presented professionally.
- Maintained and updated client files, ensuring all correspondence and documentation were properly organised, and easily accessible.
- Drafted and proofread letters, contracts, and other documents, ensuring compliance with legal and company standards.
- Managed the office calendar, booking meetings, viewings, and coordinating internal schedules.
- Liaised with external vendors, contractors, and clients, ensuring effective communication and timely responses.
- Assisted with the preparation of property valuations and market research to support sales and lettings agents.
- Managed office supplies and equipment, ensuring that all resources were stocked and ready for use.
- Maintained a clean and organised office environment, supporting a professional atmosphere for clients and staff.
Education
Completion of Executive Secretarial Course - RSA qualifications
Crosskeys College
Crosskeys, Newport1997
GCSE - Maths, English, Science, History
Nantyglo Comprehensive School
Nantyglo, Ebbw Vale1995
Managing Safely -
Institution of Occupational Safety and Health
Emergency First Aide at Work -
Project Skills Solutions Ltd
Administration NVQ Level 1, 2 & 3 -
Estate Agency NVQ Level 2 -
Customer Services NVQ Level 1, 2 & 3 -
Customer Service Modern Apprenticeship -
Skills
- Cash Handling & Reconciliation
- Team Leadership & Staff Management
- KPI Development & Performance Delivery
- Cash Discrepancy Investigations
- Fleet Management & Logistics
- ISO Auditing (14001 & 9001)
- Staff Training & Development
- Investigatory and Disciplinary
- SIA Management & Compliance
- Security Procedures & SOP Compliance
- Property Appraisals & Listing Management
- Client Relationship Management
- Sales Negotiation & Closing
- Property Viewings & Sales Process
- Team Leadership & Target Achievement
- Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)
- Document Management & Filing
- Scheduling & Calendar Management
- Effective Communication & Correspondence
- Data Entry & Reporting
Certification
Security Industry Authority (SIA) Certification, Non Front Line License, 06/2027
Additional Information
References: rleigh@notemachine.com / chale@notemachine.com more available on request
Websites, Portfolios and Profiles
linkedin.com/in/katherine-rees-6a57b8b9
Hobbies and interests
- Reading
- Walking
- Cooking/Baking
Timeline
Customer Consultant & Estate Agency
M2 Estate Agents
08.2025 - Current
Deputy Depot Manager – Cash Centre
Notemachine
05.2018 - 04.2025
Team Leader Supervisor
Notemachine
04.2013 - 04.2018
Vault Administrator
Notemachine
08.2009 - 03.2013
Estate Agent Manager – Tredegar Office
Bairstow Eves
01.2008 - 08.2009
Sales Negotiator
Bairstow Eves
05.2005 - 01.2008
Trainee Sales Negotiator/Secretary
Bairstow Eves
04.2003 - 05.2005
Secretary
Darlows Estate Agent
02.1998 - 04.2003
Completion of Executive Secretarial Course - RSA qualifications
Crosskeys College
GCSE - Maths, English, Science, History
Nantyglo Comprehensive School
Managing Safely -
Institution of Occupational Safety and Health
Emergency First Aide at Work -
Project Skills Solutions Ltd