Stuart Bennett has been honing his craft for almost three decades. Here, he reflects on entering a new era in his life in property.
After 27 years and counting in estate agency, Stuart Bennett knows all there is to know about the property landscape, and his latest role as head of our Private Clients division marks the start of a new chapter. “Today, clients aren’t looking for an agent; they’re looking for their agent,” he says. “People want a more tailored, trusted service and that is absolutely where my passion lies and where I excel.”
Drawing on Stuart’s extensive experience, Private Clients delivers on what those at the upper end of the market require. This goes beyond simply finding and selling homes. “I understand how clients want to be serviced and have the scope to guide them across the whole of Prime Central London. Whatever their unique requirements – whether they’re looking for a family home, a base in London or an investment – I can use my knowledge, experience and network to tailor the strategy and make things happen.”
Stuart’s community also brings a first mover advantage. “My relationships with other key agents and Private Offices means that I know about best-in-class properties before they hit the market,” he adds. Starting out at Foxtons Notting Hill in 1998 where he was the number one negotiator and then manager for several years, Stuart went on to oversee six offices for the company. He then joined Beauchamp Estates as head of sales in 2021, taking responsibility for ultra-prime transactions across Marylebone, Mayfair, Belgravia, Knightsbridge and Chelsea, adding the full suite of prime and super prime central London areas to his repertoire. “I’ve learnt a lot from the teams I’ve worked with and the people I’ve worked for. This new role at Domus Private Clients brings together all that experience and knowledge, all the industry relationships and the reputation I’ve established and takes everything to the next level.”
Personalised service, trust and discretion, he believes, are among the biggest priorities for the high-net-worth community right now. “People want someone who is going to guide them and expedite their requirements – someone who is tenacious, dedicated and able to deliver a suite of best-in-class services. Property is obviously the focus, but it goes beyond that; it’s the working relationship you build together.”
”People want a more personalised, trusted service and that is absolutely where my passion lies and where I excel”
So, Stuart, why was the time right for you to launch Private Clients?
After 27 years, I understand all the nuances of estate agency and what’s required to be one of the best agents in Prime Central London. I’ve built my network. I know the client base and how to differentiate myself from the competition. The stars aligned with Domus Nova. The culture here is a natural fit for me and it’s great to work alongside such passionate, like-minded people to expand the Domus brand. I have total confidence in making this a success. We’ve already listed and found some wonderful homes for clients, and I’m really excited about what Private Clients will go on to achieve.
It also feels great to be firmly back in Notting Hill, among the community and clients I’ve known for nearly three decades. I’ve spent most of my career living and working in the area; it’s been brilliant to see it evolve and establish itself on the world map.
Why now for Domus Nova?
Rob Atkins (Domus Nova co-founder) and I have always talked about the opportunity of working together again. Rob trained me and has been a mentor since starting my career in agency, so it feels like I’ve come full circle. I couldn’t be happier to work alongside him and Arnaud (Cheung, co-founder) again. Exceptional service and best-in-class homes are ingrained in the Domus DNA, and Private Clients is the next stage in refining that curated, fully rounded approach while building on the brand’s track record and experience at the upper end of the market.
What services does Private Clients offer?
Between us, all aspects of estate agency are covered. It’s a comprehensive package of ability – a full, 360-degree suite of services. The clients we work with have often had complex property requirements or aspirations for a few years, but they haven’t found a person they trust to take that forward. I am that person. I can oversee and meet their needs alongside a network of solicitors, financial advisors, surveyors and architects that I’ve nurtured over the years. Ultimately, I assemble all the pieces of the puzzle, create a strategy around it, and guide clients, before, during and after.
“This new role at Domus Private Clients brings together all my experience, knowledge and the reputation I’ve established and takes everything to the next level”
How does Private Clients compare to other private offices?
Our passion for considered design and architecture sets us apart, as does our affinity with the creative community and those working within the arts, media and sports. But aside from that, there aren’t many private offices that have the breadth of experience – or the reputation within the industry – we can bring to the table. On a practical level, the fact that we can leverage our established Ibiza business and our short stay company, Domus Stay, differentiates us further. Together, we offer a single-entry point to the whole portfolio of Domus services and take the complexity out of all property requirements.
What are you most excited about?
For me, it’s the experience of working with clients over a long period of time and the journey that you go on together. Overseeing everything, from start to finish and beyond, is really rewarding. A key part of being an exceptional agent is that you can measure yourself and your success on the referrals you receive and the repeat business you’re involved in. I’ve established my reputation on building relationships and giving honest advice. The feeling of reward and satisfaction that comes when you meet a client’s requirements is hard to beat.
What about outside of work – can you tell us about you?
When I’m not in the office, I’m with my family – my wife Francesca and our two young daughters, Lily and Ella. You’ll also often find me on my bike, cycling through Windsor, Surrey, Majorca or Ibiza, where Francesca and I got married. I’ve also taken on the Alps and the Pyrenees for charity. The latter was without a doubt one of my most rewarding charity riding experiences. Eight days straight, 1,000 kilometres in total from Biarritz to Perpignan, ticking off all the notable big climbs that make up the Tour de France.
What does the future hold for Private Clients?
We want to be the sounding board for all things property: the go-to advisory service in the residential property industry. I’m excited to see how we can continue to grow our client base and be there for them on their property journeys, both now and in the years to come.
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