In 1982 a spotty 16 year old boy called Stephen Burns left his working class home in Rochdale and took his first ever train journey to Folkstone in Kent and joined the Armed Forces.

Five years later, the same albeit much more mature and decorated young man, began a career in Estate Agency in Bury, Lancashire, with a highly regarded multiple office independent firm.

Over the ensuing few years, Stephen literally flew up the promotion ladder and worked in both corporate and privately-owned firms at the highest level. Picking up qualifications along the way, he really was at the top of his game. Already he had made his mark…

Valentines Day of this year was the start of Stephen Burns the legend. Just him and one team member worked tirelessly to prepare the company’s first floor office, right in the centre of Bury.

Well, it seems it was just what the property minded public were after. Within weeks the company, aptly named Stephen Burns & Co, had a massive selection of properties for sale and were already ringing the sales bell regularly even in those very early days.

Service was the key. Within a few months a prime high street office location became available and the move was made. Now they were really on the map.

With encouragement from clients, the company entered the most prestigious competition in the estate agency business. The NAEA Awards that year received over 18,000 votes from clients of agents all over the UK.

The company received notification to attend the awards ceremony together with 57 other finalists. The ensuing result was something which still remains Stephen’s proudest moment.

Yes, the company took the regional title, but out of all the UK regions someone had to be crowned overall winner. He took that crown – Best Residential UK Sales Office.

The drive and commitment continued and over the next few years the company grew massively. By the turn of the millennium, the company had three branches, in Bury, Holcombe and Ramsbottom, a team of over thirty people and every property related service imaginable was available for clients.

Service remained at the forefront of growth and being able to maintain this whilst operating a large multi-disciplined estate agency was the key to Stephen’s continued success. The company was rebranded in 2003 and became Burns McBriar & Hall, reflecting the names of colleagues who had helped to take the company to its current status.

The continued success of the company attracted great attention. Yes, the competition were always looking in from afar, but that was fun. The company, however, was of great interest to the media. This working-class lad had created an enviable reputation and why? Because his hard work and commitment was revered by his peers.

In 2003 ITV appointed film crew were given full access to the company for over six months. The result was a highly rated TV series entitled Viewing Recommended, which meant anyone who did not know the company now did! The star of the show of course was the driving force, Stephen Burns, who then became in high demand not only as an estate agent, but also as an expert and presenter for all the major TV companies across the UK.

However, Stephen did not settle with the sushi loving media types and took a back seat from the spotlight in order to concentrate on his first love – property.

One thing that was missing during these glory years for Stephen was sufficient time spent with his family. Work had taken its toll and the huge decision was made by Stephen to leave the business and spend some time out of the spotlight. Burns McBriar & Hall continued under the ownership of the original employees until they decided to sell some time later.

In addition, Stephen is proud a number of new estate agencies and lettings companies have since appeared in the town, headed by former employees. He certainly taught them well! Still very much active in the property business Stephen discovered the internet and established the very successful on-line estate agency Suburban Investor, which specialized in the growing area of property investment. This behind the scenes experience allowed for two things.

To test the ability to sell property from an on-line base and spend time out of the public eye with his wife and four children. Those ensuing years proved a balance can be found. Service can be provided to an exemplary standard whilst enjoying life in general.