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| RETURN TO CITY PAID DIVIDENDS PLYMOUTH EVENING HERALD 27 JULY 2004 Plymouth's property boom has inspired one couple to sell up in London and return to their home town to set up a new type of property business. Mark Postle-Hacon and his wife Victoria Creber were both born in Plymouth and attended Plymouth College. Victoria's grandfather, George Creber, was one of the founding partners of property firm Stratton Creber as well as serving as Lord Mayor of Plymouth in 1969 and again in 1972. The pair left Plymouth to work in London, where Victoria was the marketing manager of a law firm and Mark trained as a civil engineer before working as an outsourcing consultant for an IT firm. He was aware that outsourcing - where all non essential services are removed leaving an organisation free to concentrate on its core business - had taken off in London and believed that the approach would work in Plymouth as new developments began to take shape in the city. The couple, who have two small children, sold their house in London and set up PHC Management Ltd in November 2002. The first contract the business landed was the management of the flagship waterside development, Discovery Wharf. The complex has 59 apartments with an indoor swimming pool and spa, sauna, air-conditioned gym, orangery and landscaped garden. In 2002 residents formed an owners association with an elected committee to represent the interests of the owners. The committee decided to take more direct control of the management of the building and put the contract out to tender. PHC Management Ltd won the contract, which they took over last July. Since then, the business has installed a full-time, on site building supervisor and a 24-hour emergency call-out service as well as identifying cost savings. Mark and Victoria also attend residents meetings and have built up a good working relationship with the apartment owners. The business, which is based in Stoke, has a network of contacts from cleaners to plumbers and security guards who can be called in according to demand. "Plymouth at the moment is a vibrant, exciting place to be. With all the developments that are going on - not just property - the environment is changing," said Victoria, aged 32. The business has also clinched a contract to manage two smaller blocks of Victorian conversions in Durnford Street and is also considering branching out into commercial property such as small factories. "Our core values are the same for whatever size or type of project we would take on. You've got to be passionate about what you're doing, you've got to want to do it and to pay attention to the details and the quality of service so that people get what they want and deserve," said Mark, aged 31. They have now embarked on a networking drive and are keen to get involved with development projects at an early stage so that, for example, apartments are designed to be cost-effective to maintain. For further information about how PHC Management Limited could make a positive impact to your development please call Mark Postle-Hacon or Victoria Creber on 01752 560256 or visit www.phc-management.com
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