In 1988 Siobhan O'Dwyer set out to create a Property Management firm which would, in delivering its services, add value and reputation to every client property development. Her over-riding belief was that service charges should not be just a cost, but rather an investment, an investment which would yield a very real return, which would be measurable in the development's sustainability and value.
Indeed in the property management industry, O'Dwyer Property Management has now become synonymous with setting the professional standards, and client developments associated with the firm enjoy an immediately recognised seal of quality and reputation.
With the support and guidance of Derry Hussey, Non-Executive Chairman of the firm, Siobhan set down new service standards in a completely unregulated environment, whereby quality service became the foundation of the firm, underpinning every aspect of how the firm is managed and in how it approaches the management of our client properties.
The firm developed expertise in the management of large scale multi-unit developments (Commercial and Residential) schemes which, because of their scale and complexity, demanded a higher level of technical expertise than traditional single use developments.
The business grew steadily on the basis of its exceptional reputation within the industry, ongoing development and innovation, and on personal referrals, and today the firm manages more than 50 multi-unit developments, primarily (but not exclusively) large scale schemes, incorporating over 12,000 units. O'Dwyer Property Management is the first and currently the only firm operating in its sector that is accredited with the ISO 9001: 2008 Quality Award Standard.
In keeping with the firm's quality and expertise ethos, Siobhan hired the best Property Managers in the industry; qualified to the highest standards, in a variety of related disciplines and accredited with professional bodies, including the IAVI, SCS (both now merged and known as the SCSI) and the IPFMA.
Demonstrating her commitment to innovation and developing the industry, Siobhan recruited a Training and Development Manager, Niamh Jones, in 2003 to ensure that all staff continued their ongoing professional development and could offer our clients unsurpassed levels of quality and expertise. This approach was, at the time, a first in the industry. Staff are continuously supported by development programmes which are primarily designed in-house and tailored to suit the individual needs of our staff and the requirements of our clients. In addition we support staff who work towards additional professional qualifications or accreditation through night or part-time study.
Patrick Hogan, Commercial Director, designed and implemented property management programmes for some of the largest schemes developed in Ireland's history including Adamstown, Phoenix Park Racecourse, Spencer Dock, and Customs House Square.
Paul Whelan, having originally joined the firm as Finance Director in 2006, took over as Managing Director in 2008 and has since focused heavily on achieving operational efficiencies and maximising service quality and delivery.
Paul brought in Garrett Kelly an experienced Chartered Accountant to head up the Finance team. Together they oversaw the purchase and implementation of "Qube" a financial system, designed specifically for our industry, which facilitates quarterly financial reporting. Again this was an industry first which gave clients comprehensive reporting, and complete transparency, something which has been roundly welcomed by our clients, who now feel able to better manage their budgets and control spending throughout the year.
Comfort and peace of mind that monies are collected, secure and properly managed in accordance with best practice accounting standards, is a significant benefit frequently expressed by O'Dwyer Property Management clients .
To accommodate the firm's exponential growth over a number of years, MD Paul Whelan implemented innovative work flow procedures; functions were centralised to capture expertise and restructured to streamline processes for the Property Managers' ease thereby maximizing efficiencies.
As part of O'Dwyer Property Management's commitment to service innovation, we were the first residential firm to employ a Facilities Engineer. Gordon Byrne joined the firm in 2006 with experience in multi-site mobilisation contracts and a background in engineering. Gordon supports the Property Managers with a higher level of technical knowledge (not customarily available heretofore) thus ensuring Building Engineering, Facility Services, Health and Safety programmes and any outsourced technical services are adequate.
In 2006, Siobhan began a campaign to lobby for improved consumer protections for apartment purchasers and owners. Speaking that year at the National Housing Conference, she highlighted problems such as unfinished or unsatisfactory construction works, absent procedures for certification, completion, and handover from the developers to the owners, and other estate management problems, to ensure that these issues were brought to the attention of various professional and relevant government bodies who were present at the conference. Her campaign work included writing various industry papers and organising and chairing the IPFMA Conference in 2009, at which pending legislation was debated and a more robust framework was demanded.
On 1st April 2011, after much debate and a long wait, the Multi-Unit Development (MUD) Act 2011 was enacted by Dáil Éireann. This Act will hopefully ensure that any future apartment developments do not suffer the same array of difficulties as those developed over the past decade. It also allows for improvements in the regulation of developer relationships with apartment owners and the establishment and membership of Boards of Management.
Meanwhile, the internal company structures evolved and were redesigned for maximum efficiency in operations, transparency in transactions and professionalism in management that embodies international codes of best practice.
Garrett Kelly (Financial Control), Gordon Byrne (Engineering Services), Paul Byrne (IT Systems), Richard Morton (Property Services) and Niamh Jones (Training and Development) were promoted to Associate Directors in 2010 and 2011.
O'Dwyer Property Management did not grow out of the property boom or lose its head during it and today the firm is at a mature stage, employing almost 60 people, including qualified Property Managers, Surveyors, Accountants, Engineers, and experts in insurance and compliance.
The drive for quality and professionalism were the building blocks of this firm and that has meant that the firm has emerged from the downturn with robust, solid systems and procedures in place.
O'Dwyer Property Management was recently selected as a professional service supplier to NAMA and is currently engaged by a number of receiver firms in distressed recovery programmes.
We are now looking towards a bright future, in a properly regulated industry which is better for us and more importantly better for our clients.