Keeping on top of life’s day to day can feel like a full-time job. According to one recent study, the average Briton spends eight hours per week on dull domestic administration, everything from fixing house insurance to organising cleaning staff, and getting basic maintenance work done.
When a problem arises – a burst pipe or malfunctioning security system for instance – matters only get worse. The Federation of Master Builders says that 23 per cent of British homeowners have lost money to rogue or underqualified builders, costing them a total of £14.3bn in the past five years.
Little wonder that an increasing number of people – particularly those based overseas who have to deal with multiple time zones and different regulations – are outsourcing the problem.
Rather than trying to fight through red tape remotely, they are taking on trusted professionals like Black Brick to keep an expert eye on their home, firefighting problems, dealing with both ongoing and emergency maintenance, taking care of the administration, masterminding renovations and making sure a home is ready and waiting whenever its owner is in town.
Concierge services – also offered by Black Brick – are also experiencing a surge in popularity, handling everything from everyday errands to elite requests.
A well-connected concierge can secure you a table at a hot new restaurant at a moment’s notice or arrange membership of an exclusive club. They can also find tickets to sold-out sporting or cultural events and create bespoke experiences, like having an A-list singer perform at a family party. For the time poor, the ability to make the absolute most of the time they do have is invaluable.
How Property Management Works
An ailing heating system as winter approaches, a struggle to find just the right landscape gardener to bring a boring balcony to life, or a desire to put a personal stamp on a brand-new home – a headache for homeowners but all in a day’s work for Black Brick’s property management service.
Most of our clients are based overseas and rely on our team for day-to-day peace of mind as well as to mastermind home improvement projects.
One current client owns a circa £10m five storey townhouse in Hans Place, Knightsbridge, and – naturally – wants to safeguard their investment.
Our first task was to inspect the property and we immediately spotted significant problems with the plumbing system – there was no hot water and several pipes were leaking. The problem was magnified thanks to the house’s inaccessible and overly-complex plant room.
We consulted with trusted specialist contractors before selecting a repair team, oversaw their work, and got the problems resolved on behalf of our client in time for their next visit.
Another issue with the house was its garden.
The owner had struggled to find a reliable landscape gardener to take on the task of redesigning their outside space and their dream of a beautiful city oasis had stalled. We delved into our black book of contacts, found several quality firms, and had them draw up plans for the bare and somewhat depressing space. Once our clients had chosen a design they loved we coordinated the project, where a variety of plants now flourish and there are elegant seating areas.
With the main issues dealt with we drew up a maintenance programme for the property to ensure that everything was running smoothly, inside and outside, which will protect them from expensive domestic emergencies. The awkward plant room has been redesigned.
“Managing a complex prime London home requires much more than responding when something goes wrong,” said Jason Wei, managing director of property management at Black Brick. “It requires understanding how the property operates, anticipating what it will need and having the right specialists available when required.
“Instead of the client having to source, vet and manage multiple contractors from overseas, Black Brick provided a single point of contact to oversee the home as a whole.”
Newly built apartments have many practical advantages, but they can also feel rather sterile and cold.
One client came to Black Brick for help putting their own stamp on their box fresh penthouse in King’s Cross.
“While the apartment offered contemporary design, modern technology and excellent amenities, the client wanted to give their London home greater character and individuality,” said Wei.
High on the owner’s wish list was upgrading the expansive terrace, creating an inside-outside vibe for relaxing and entertaining. They also wanted to tweak the apartment’s home technology so its controls worked in sync with their other properties.
There were also some snagging issues, particularly around the air conditioning.
Making changes to a home in a modern development can be tricky but Black Brick negotiated with the building management, freeholder, surveyors and specialist contractors to agree how to go forward.
We then went ahead and had the terrace redesigned, incorporating an automated irrigation system since the apartment would be empty for long stretches. We had the smart home technology adapted, and rectified the malfunctioning air conditioning, which it turned out was still under guarantee.
“For this client, Black Brick became their representative on the ground in London – navigating complex leasehold requirements, coordinating specialist contractors, managing technical issues and ensuring warranty obligations were pursued on their behalf,” said Wei.
“The completed terrace ultimately became a standout feature within the development. When the building was subsequently considered for an architectural award, the development’s architects selected our client’s terrace to be presented to the judging panel — a testament to the quality of the finished project.”
Another client, this time with an apartment in buzzy Mount Street, Mayfair also wanted to upgrade and personalise their newly-converted home but had no idea how to go about it.
Because the flat had been empty for some time our first job was to carry out a comprehensive stress test to identify defects and potential issues with the existing systems.
Not only did this allow us to go to the developer with snagging issues, but meant we could schedule works to be carried out alongside the planned refurbishment to minimise disruption.
Then, over eight months, we coordinated a full refurbishment of the property, bringing together the right specialists to deliver the project and providing the client with a single point of contact.
If you own a home in London and are considering letting it, or need assistance in the day-to-day management of your home, please contact Jason.Wei@black-brick.com
The Lily Pad Generation’s Right Hand Woman
Since becoming a lifestyle concierge, Annabel Jefferson has found herself doing everything from setting up get-togethers with A list celebrities to sourcing tickets to sought-after concerts, theatre and galas, in Europe, the US and the UK.
Upon request she can also arrange once-in-a-lifetime sports experiences, like arranging for her clients to play tennis or enjoy a round of golf with their favourite pro or meet footballers and attend their training sessions.
“Bespoke experiences hold such appeal because they offer a sense of exclusivity – the privilege of experiencing something entirely unique, created for no one else.” she said. “It adds an extra layer to attending Wimbledon if you have actually played a few games with one of the players.” If the restaurant you really, really want to try doesn’t have a table for months Jefferson can usually magic up a space. And the same goes for starry theatre productions and concerts. While given enough advance warning and some good luck most people can book these events, what they can’t add to the experience is the chance to attend after parties, as well as film premiers and festivals. Jefferson’s extensive industry contacts mean that she probably can.
Jefferson has been building up her little black book ever since she managed the Royal Enclosure at Ascot Racecourse. “Sometimes if a request is really niche, I might have to work my way through a chain of people to make it happen,” she said. “There is a particular satisfaction in achieving what seems impossible. Though, naturally, I can’t share the details – discretion is paramount in my line of work.”
A big part of Jefferson’s work involves travel. The world’s wealthiest men and women are now more mobile than ever before, and rather than basing them in one place tend to hop from home to home, a lifestyle known in the industry as lily padding. Getting from Aspen to the Caribbean to London to New York requires a tremendous amount of planning, particularly with a family in tow. Jefferson’s long experience in the travel industry means that she can arrange every aspect of a trip, whether it is a holiday or a longer stay. “I hold relationships and top tier memberships with the best hotel brands, so my clients often get upgraded, as well as receiving VIP treatment and the best rate as standard,” she said. “I also book private jets, yacht charters, villas, commercial flights, and drivers.” Jefferson’s work doesn’t end once her client is on the plane. She also acts as a point-of-contact throughout a trip making sure everything runs seamlessly and accommodating even last-minute changes of plan.
As Black Brick’s affiliate, Jefferson offers two styles of membership – one for UK-only services and the other for worldwide requests. Clients can also pick and choose from an ad hoc menu of services.
Access All Areas
Whether you are fanatical about Formula 1, have a passion for international fashion, or are a massive movie buff these are the kinds of events – in the UK and beyond – which Jefferson can help you enjoy:
October: It is gala season in London and The British Museum Ball: a prominent event in London’s social calendar, bringing together influential figures from the worlds of fashion, culture, business and philanthropy. Last year, Sir Mick Jagger, Naomi Campbell and Dame Tracey attended. Then there is amfAR London, which attracts high profile figures in art, fashion, entertainment and philanthropy to support vital AIDS research. Last year’s event featured performances by Grace Jones and Jess Glynne.
Across the Channel, The Global Gift Gala in Paris is an annual formal dinner and charity auction to benefit vulnerable communities and attracts attendees from around the world.
For fans of live music, The 02 Arena has emerged as an essential stop on world tours and this month, both the Pussycat Dolls and Duran Duran will perform. Tickets can be arranged as well as artist experiences for the real superfan.
If your interests are more sporting, then the NFL International Series is taking over the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, bringing top-tier American football to London’s premier purpose-built NFL venue.
December: In London you could celebrate the festive season with VIP packages to attend the Hyde Park Winter Wonderland or enjoy the annual carol service at the Royal Albert Hall. Further afield, the Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at the spectacular Yas Marina Circuit, 70 miles south of Dubai, promises thrilling motor racing action. Options include entry to the exclusive Paddock Club, a pop up private member’s club at the track created by Lewis Hamilton and Soho House, as well as the opportunity to meet some of the drivers.
January/February: The world’s greatest actors and filmmakers will be celebrated on both sides of the Atlantic this month, giving clients the choice of tables and after-party access to The Golden Globes on January 10 and The BAFTAs on February 21.
Other early new year events to enjoy stateside include the Superbowl at the SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California and The 69th Grammy Awards at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.
Back in the British capital, London Fashion Week is a global showcase of the finest couture fashion, plus some amazing parties.
To arrange a confidential consultation with Annabel to discuss how our concierge service can assist you, please email concierge@black-brick.com
Meet The Team
Jason Wei – Managing Director, Property Management
With a background in banking and aviation, Jason pivoted to the property sector a decade ago and found that some of his skills were very transferrable. “I’ve always enjoyed getting to know clients, understanding what matters to them and finding ways to make their lives a little easier,” he said.
Of all the challenges set by his property clients, one of the most memorable was being tasked with creating a large bespoke fish tank at the entrance of a client’s country estate, including sourcing the exotic fish to go in it. “It was certainly not your typical property management request, but that’s also what makes the job interesting, you never quite know what you’ll be asked to do next,” said Jason, who prides himself on his problem-solving skills and ability to deliver the apparently-impossible. “For me, the best outcome is when all of that work happens seamlessly behind the scenes and the client simply knows it’s been taken care of,” Jason said. “That’s when you know you’ve done your job well.”
Emma Soanes – Property Manager
After moving from her native Cornwall to London six years ago, Soanes embarked on a career in property. Emma will put herself in harm’s way for her clients and recently found herself climbing into an attic, where it was suspected that there was a wasp’s nest, to investigate. Happily there were no wasps, but when a cardboard box fell on her leg in the gloom, she screamed as though she was being attacked by a giant swarm.
For Emma, the joy of property management is the chance to work with clients, and seeking how they come to trust and rely on her to take care of their homes.
Katie Robson – Property Manager
After almost a decade working aboard luxury yachts, Katie embarked on her career in property management in summer 2026. Her experience working for UHNWI clients has honed her understanding of the care and management required for high value assets and she prides herself on having standards every bit as high as her clients’.
Annabel Jefferson – Concierge Services
After a long and varied career – including managing the Royal Enclosure at Ascot Racecourse to working for exclusive private members’ travel clubs, Annabel began her own concierge service two years ago. This means that one day she might be arranging a match between a client and their favourite elite tennis pro, the next, finding a table at a booked-out restaurant, or chartering a yacht.
