International Men's Day

Why Joe Martin, Regional Lettings & Sales Manager is our inspirational man this International Men's Day.

How do you try to be a role model for those in your team?
I believe the best way to lead is by example. I make sure I’m always visible, approachable, and willing to get involved in the day-to-day. I want my team to see that hard work, consistency, and integrity are the keys to success. I also focus on creating an environment where everyone feels valued, supported, and motivated to grow.

What inspired you to start a career in property?
My first role was selling mobile phone contracts at Phones4u. During this role, I really enjoyed the sales environment, being part of a team & exceeding targets. Naturally, the next step was to find an industry which would give me a better long-term career & which involved helping our customers in the most valuable way. I started as an apprentice negotiator within a small business & really enjoyed the variety of the role & I saw how dynamic and fast-paced the industry was.

How has your journey with your brand evolved so far?
It’s been an exciting journey. Over the last 2.5 years, I’ve had the privilege of growing alongside the brand — taking on new challenges, leading talented teams, and helping to shape our regional presence in the East Midlands. I started in Redditch, looking after the lettings team & quite quickly moved into a regional role. John Shepherd has a fantastic reputation for excellence and professionalism, and I’ve enjoyed being part of a culture that encourages development and innovation while keeping our clients at the heart of everything we do.

What do you love about your job?
Without question — the people. I love seeing my team succeed and develop their own confidence and skills. There’s a real sense of achievement in watching someone progress and knowing you’ve played a part in their journey. I also love the variety — no two days are ever the same, and there’s always something new to learn or improve on.

What advice would you give to younger people entering the property industry?
Work hard, stay proactive, and never stop learning from people around you. Property is a fast-moving industry, and success comes from being consistent, learn from others and building strong relationships. Don’t be afraid to ask questions & get stuck in — attitude counts just as much as experience. If you’re willing to work hard and stay positive, the opportunities are endless.

How do you take care of your physical and mental well-being?
Balance is really important to me. I make sure to set aside time to recharge with family & friends & pursue other interests outside of work, whether that’s golf or the gym. I encourage my team to do the same — I believe we perform at our best when we’re looking after ourselves both mentally and physically.

Do you have a particular moment or accomplishment you are proud of?
I’m proud of building strong, high-performing teams that consistently deliver great results while supporting one another. Seeing team members, I’ve mentored progress into leadership roles is incredibly rewarding. Those moments remind me why I love what I do — it’s not just about the numbers, it’s about the people behind them.

What's a fun fact about you?
I’m a keen tennis player and used to play competitively for the county up until recently. Tennis has always been a big passion of mine — it’s a great outlet outside of work and has taught me a lot about discipline, focus, and resilience. Our CEO, Richard, often jokes that he could beat me on the court, but he hasn’t taken up the challenge yet — I’m still waiting for that match to happen!