Russell O'Connor MTPI AssocRICS CIHM
Westcliff on Sea,Essex
Summary
Accomplished professional with expertise in operations leadership and strategic planning, adept at driving organisational success through data-driven decision-making and cross-functional collaboration. Proven track record in staff management, training, and mentorship, fostering high-performing teams and enhancing client relationship management. Skilled in change management and problem solving, with a focus on delivering innovative solutions. Career aspirations include leveraging senior consulting experience to further optimise business processes and achieve sustainable growth.
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
Work history
Consultant - Self Employed
Breeze Residential PM
Southend on Sea, Essex
08.2025 - 01.2026
- Developed and implemented new business strategy to drive organisational growth.
- Reviewed company policies regularly to ensure alignment with legal requirements.
- Onboarded new clients, enhancing customer satisfaction and retention.
- Created training modules to improve employee performance and knowledge.
- Strengthened stakeholder relationships through effective communication strategies.
- Provided strategic advice on organisational change to optimise operations.
- Conducted thorough audits and reviews to ensure regulatory compliance.
- Identified improvement areas in corporate structure, increasing overall efficiency.
Foster Carer - Self Employed
Futures for Children
Harlow, Essex
02.2019 - 01.2026
- Attended training courses on child psychology to better understand and address unique needs of foster children.
- Built strong relationships with birth families where appropriate, strengthening family ties.
- Delivered consistent care whilst managing challenging behaviour to ensure stability within the household.
- Tracked and recorded child's progress for review by social services team, contributing to overall care strategy.
- Facilitated open lines of communication with social workers, leading to more effective care plans.
- Worked closely with other professionals involved in child's welfare; improving collaborative efforts towards child's wellbeing.
Head of Residential Managed Services
Pinnacle Group
Holborn, London
01.2025 - 07.2025
- Oversaw Management of 10,000 units under management
- Managed 30 indirect reports and three direct reports within Residential Managed Services division.
- Enhanced direct reports' performance through leadership, mentorship, and target tracking.
- Developed KPIs to drive portfolio profitability and generate new income streams.
- Aligned bonus structure with Balanced Scorecard Scheme based on key business goals.
- Analysed trends to identify growth opportunities within the division.
- Consulted Corporate Finance to establish RMS budget and monitor site profitability.
- Reviewed and implemented policies and procedures for operational efficiency.
- Liaised with key clients, including Local Authorities and Private Investors, to ensure satisfaction.
Operations Board Member
Vegner Group
Richmond, Surrey
04.2023 - 12.2024
- Direct collaborations across multiple parts of the business to drive improvements, optimise performance, and position the company for sustainable growth and success
- Built, motivate, and enhance the performance of 15-direct reports through ongoing leadership, target setting/ tracking, and mentorship to enable them to meet challenging targets/standards
- Position both the Customer Service and Business Development teams for success by aligning KPIs with business/client priorities and enabling them to consistently meet them
- Design and launch impactful Vision Creative Initiatives (VCI's) that map to Vegner Group owner Odevo's mission, with a focus on improving customer satisfaction/profitability, and achieving business growth
- Serve as a trusted advisor to senior leadership in reporting on performance and steering strategic decisions
- Analyse trends to identify opportunities for growth
- Serve on the Pay and Reward committee to roll out schemes and incentives that foster an engaged and motivated culture
- Consult Corporate Finance to establish branch budgets to optimise expenditure and slash costs
- Built performance targets and Staff Balance Scorecards around key business goals
Managing Director
Faraday Property Management Limited
Holborn, London
04.2023 - 12.2024
- Oversaw management of 10,000 units under management.
- Directed strategic and operational activities for Vegner Group subsidiary to enhance growth and efficiency.
- Led Property Management team of 15, five Surveyors, and seven Accountants to maximise revenue.
- Collaborated with Marketing Team on rebranding to increase brand visibility and revenue.
- Conducted staff one-to-ones, celebrating achievements and identifying improvement areas.
- Reviewed site management accounts to monitor profitability and control expenditure.
- Enhanced compliance by developing policies for extensive portfolio management.
Managing Director
HML PM Ltd
Croydon, Surrey
05.2019 - 12.2024
- Secured merit-based promotion from Regional Director to Managing Director.
- Scaled branch network from 15 to 24 offices, ensuring quality and profitability during growth.
- Oversaw performance of two Regional Heads of Property Management and three Regional Directors managing four to six offices with a reporting line of 400 members of staff.
- Management of 100,000 units across England and Wales.
- Reviewed site management accounts to monitor profitability and inform strategic decisions.
- Facilitated integration of three acquisitions with minimal disruption.
- Launched TEAMS phone system across the group, providing training for rapid adoption.
- Strengthened collaboration between internal services to enhance customer satisfaction and revenue.
- Partnered with Marketing Team for company rebrand, improving target audience perception.
Managing Director (Partner)
Urban Life Property Management Ltd
Basildon
04.2017 - 04.2019
- Responsible for 10 staff members managing 3,000 units in London and the South East of England.
- Identified market trends, leading to business expansion opportunities.
- Secured new clients through targeted marketing campaigns.
- Fostered partnerships to expand business opportunities.
- Negotiated profitable contracts, increasing company revenue.
- Developed effective business strategies for sustained growth.
Director of Property Management (Shareholder)
Rylands Associates Limited
Southend, London
06.2012 - 03.2017
- Overseeing 15 members of staff managing 4,500 units in East Angila, South East and London.
- Initiated business development activities, expanded client base.
- Identified and capitalised on growth opportunities in the market.
- Championed change initiatives within the organisation for streamlined operations.
- Managed negotiations with clients to secure profitable contracts.
- Directed team to deliver high-quality customer service.
- Led team to streamline operations by implementing new strategies.
- Developed comprehensive business plans for company growth.
- Fostered a positive work environment, increased employee morale.
Head Property Manager
Boydens Block Management
Colchester
04.2011 - 06.2012
- Managing a small team of 5 overseeing 2,000 units in the East of England.
- Ensured compliance with housing laws and safety regulations, protecting both landlord and tenant rights.
- Coordinated repair work, minimising disruption to tenants.
- Carried out property inspections for maintaining a high standard of cleanliness and repair.
- Organised frequent site visits to oversee repair and renovation projects.
- Liaised with legal teams on lease agreements, safeguarding owner interests.
- Kept meticulous records of all transactions, ensuring full accountability.
- Negotiated cost-effective contracts with service providers and contractors.
Head of Property Management
Pier Management Limited
Southend on Sea
10.2008 - 04.2011
- Overseeing a team of 10 members of staff and the companies 30,000 units and their managing agents.
- Carried out day-to-day duties accurately and efficiently.
- Quickly learned and applied new skills to daily tasks, improving efficiency and productivity.
- Successfully delivered on tasks within tight deadlines.
- Demonstrated respect, friendliness and willingness to help wherever needed.
- Collaborated with legal team to ensure regulatory compliance.
- Optimised asset allocation with strategic planning.
- Ensured timely resolution of customer inquiries, leading to increased client retention rates.
- Managed diverse portfolio of assets to boost company revenues.
Senior Property Manager
CPM Asset Management/RMG
Hoddesdon/Basildon
04.2007 - 09.2008
- Managed a portfolio is South East London with 1,200 units.
- Delivered high-quality property management services, enhancing client trust and loyalty.
- Coordinated repair work, minimising disruption to tenants.
- Implemented cost-effective maintenance plans leading to preservation of property value over time.
- Prepared detailed financial reports for property owners on a monthly basis.
- Handled emergency situations effectively, providing swift resolution while keeping stress levels minimal for all parties involved.
- Oversaw property maintenance, working with various tradesmen to complete repairs.
- Liaised with property owners and prospective new customers.
Lettings, Sales, and Property Manager
Paraiso Property Services
Cartagena , Spain
10.2004 - 01.2007
- Management of 45 holiday let properties.
- Conducted market research to establish competitive rental prices whilst ensuring maximum profitability.
- Maintained strong relationships with vendors through regular communication, resulting in prompt service delivery.
- Provided excellent customer service, ensuring client satisfaction and repeat business.
- Conducted property viewings for potential buyers, resulting in successful negotiations.
- Identified client needs through detailed consultations which led to targeted property searches,.
- Communicated regularly with solicitors to ensure smooth transactions during the conveyancing process.
- Accompanied viewers on visits, providing insightful information about each property,.
Property Manager
Equity Asset Management
Southend on Sea, Essex
12.2001 - 10.2004
- Managed a portfolio of 800 units in Essex and London
- Prepared detailed financial reports for property owners on a monthly basis.
- Coordinated repair work, minimising disruption to tenants.
- Streamlined administrative processes, improving efficiency within the office environment.
- Organised regular meetings with property owners regarding updates or concerns related to their investments.
- Handled emergency situations effectively, providing swift resolution while keeping stress levels minimal for all parties involved.
- Ensured compliance with housing laws and safety regulations, protecting both landlord and tenant rights.
Education
Foundation Degree in Property Management - Property Management
The Property Institute
London 10/2009 -
NVQ Level 2 - Property Management
Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors
London 04/2014 -
NVQ Level 2 - Customer Service
Prospects College
Southend on Sea 06/1998 - 06/1999
NVQ Level 2 - Food and Drink Service
Prospects College
Southend On Sea 06/1997 - 06/1998
NVQ Level 2 - Hospitality and Catering
South East Essex College
Southend on Sea 09/1997 - 07/1998
GCSEs - English, Maths, Science, Drama, Business Studies, French, Home Economics Food
Shoeburyness County High School
Shoeburyness, Southend-on-SeaSkills
- Operations leadership
- Staff management
- Training and mentorship
- Strategic planning
- Client relationship management
- Change management
- Problem solving
- Senior consulting
- Data-driven decision-making
- Cross-functional collaboration
Affiliations
- Music
- Film
- Gym
- Travel
- Fashion
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Consultant - Self Employed
Breeze Residential PM
08.2025 - 01.2026
Head of Residential Managed Services
Pinnacle Group
01.2025 - 07.2025
Operations Board Member
Vegner Group
04.2023 - 12.2024
Managing Director
Faraday Property Management Limited
04.2023 - 12.2024
Managing Director
HML PM Ltd
05.2019 - 12.2024
Foster Carer - Self Employed
Futures for Children
02.2019 - 01.2026
Managing Director (Partner)
Urban Life Property Management Ltd
04.2017 - 04.2019
Director of Property Management (Shareholder)
Rylands Associates Limited
06.2012 - 03.2017
Head Property Manager
Boydens Block Management
04.2011 - 06.2012
Head of Property Management
Pier Management Limited
10.2008 - 04.2011
Senior Property Manager
CPM Asset Management/RMG
04.2007 - 09.2008
Lettings, Sales, and Property Manager
Paraiso Property Services
10.2004 - 01.2007
Property Manager
Equity Asset Management
12.2001 - 10.2004
Foundation Degree in Property Management - Property Management
The Property Institute
10/2009 -
NVQ Level 2 - Property Management
Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors
04/2014 -
NVQ Level 2 - Customer Service
Prospects College
06/1998 - 06/1999
NVQ Level 2 - Food and Drink Service
Prospects College
06/1997 - 06/1998
NVQ Level 2 - Hospitality and Catering
South East Essex College
09/1997 - 07/1998
GCSEs - English, Maths, Science, Drama, Business Studies, French, Home Economics Food
Shoeburyness County High School