SME News Q3 2026/ 24 Estate Agency MD of the Year 2026 (North Yorkshire): Matthew Hendry & Integrated Property Sales Service Excellence Award 2026 – North Yorkshire Naish Estate Agents (Naish) is a leading-edge, full-service estate agency specialising in residential sales, lettings, property management, financial services, and conveyancing, where it delivers exceptional results and outstanding customer service every time. Thanks to an essential blend of clear communication, proactive sales progression, and a dedicated team focused on achieving only the best possible outcomes, clients enjoy a genuine integrated service under one roof. We speak to Matthew Hendry in light of not one but two successes within the Managing Director of the Year Awards 2026. “My route into estate agency was slightly unconventional,” Matthew began. “I didn’t enter the industry because I admired it – in fact, quite the opposite. After several poor experiences with estate agents myself, I came away feeling that the industry often lacked transparency, communication, and genuine customer care. Rather than simply criticising it, I decided I wanted to be part of improving it. I believed there was a better way of doing things, and that belief has shaped my career ever since.” Early on, Matthew acquired extensive experience across both residential and commercial property, which included exposure to a broad range of clients and transactions. He valued everything from simple apartments to multi-million-pound hotels and he met a lot of people from every background with very different goals. “Those experiences taught me that no two clients are the same,” he says. “But they all expect the same fundamental things: honesty, professionalism, expertise, and someone they can trust to guide them through important decisions.” Soon enough, Matthew felt confident and ready to move into leadership. He saw Naish Estate Agents as an opportunity to build the type of business he had always believed should exist, one that keeps integrity, excellent communication, and client experience at its core. “Today, as Managing Director, I still apply the lessons I learned at the very beginning of my career,” Matthew said. “I encourage my team to give honest advice, even when it is difficult, because our reputation is built on trust rather than promises. I believe that great leadership is about creating a culture where doing the right thing for the client is never optional. That philosophy has been central to our growth and has enabled us to transform the business into one of the fastest growing independent estate agencies in our region.” “What motivates me as a managing director is the opportunity to build something that genuinely improves an industry which can often have a poor reputation. I believe estate agency should be built on honesty, accountability, and exceptional service rather than simply chasing transactions. Since acquiring the business, my focus has been on creating a culture where clients feel informed, supported, and valued throughout the entire process.” As a leader, Matthew is very hands-on, maintaining an open-door policy and staying actively involved in the day-to-day operations of the business. This gives him the means to understand the challenges his team face, identify opportunities for improvement, and make decisions without delay. At the same time, he trusts his colleagues to take responsibility for their own roles and encourages them to contribute their own ideas to improve the business. He said, “I want everyone to feel that their opinions matter and that they play an important role in shaping the future of the business.” While ambitious and driven to achieve top-notch results, Matthew and the team embrace a relaxed working environment, where people feel valued and supported. “I believe culture starts at the top,” Matthew explained. “I lead by example, remain approachable, and make time for my team. By combining trust, flexibility, and high expectations, we have created a workplace where people enjoy coming to work, feel invested in the business, and are motivated to deliver their very best for our clients.” Over the past few years, Matthew has done a remarkable job in balancing strategic growth with operational excellence, having transformed the business from a small independent agency into one of York’s fastest growing estate agencies, while never losing sight of the personal service that sets it apart. “Every major decision is measured against one simple question,” he told us. “Will this improve the experience for our clients and create a stronger business for the future?” “Ultimately, I measure my success not by my own achievements, but by the success of the people around me. Seeing team members develop their careers, exceed their own expectations, and contribute to the continued growth of the business is one of the most rewarding aspects of my role as managing director.” Among Matthew’s achievements, he shares that his proudest has been helping to build a network of complementary businesses to enhance Naish’s services, while creating opportunities for other independent professionals to grow. Matthew and the team have worked to bring reliable experts together under one roof, including Kim Riley, an independent Progression Manager and Becky Kendall, an independent in-house conveyancer, whose expertise enables faster communication and a more streamlined transaction process. Naish also works closely with Argyll Drummond Financial Services, giving clients access to independent mortgage and financial advice as part of their seamless property journey. Naish Estate Agents
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