South Island Expansion for Chch Real Estate Co

Media release for immediate use

South Island Expansion for Christchurch Real Estate Company

Christchurch-based real estate company Simes Limited has expanded across the South Island with its purchase of premiere real estate company Belle Property Queenstown.

Simes chief executive Layne Harwood says “This is a very exciting development for Simes. Adding Belle Property Queenstown to our company complements all our current work.

“The Simes focus is on commercial property, with more than a century’s business heritage and the number one commercial real estate position in Christchurch. Belle is an Australasian company which is well known as a successful marketer of premium homes.”

Layne Harwood says he and wife Linda, the Simes chief operating officer, have long admired the Belle Property marketing style and now look forward to growing the brand in Queenstown and introducing it to Christchurch.

“Belle Property has a unique and successful marketing approach to top-of-the-line homes,” he says. “It is unrivalled in this country and will help us maximise the profile of Christchurch’s most outstanding and elegant homes.

“I have spoken to former Belle staff in Queenstown, who all speak passionately about the Belle Property brand. I know we are buying a brand people feel very fond of and proud to market their homes with.

“That fits with the way Simes does business. Simes is a family business with a reputation built on integrity, good customer service and market focus. We have proven success in the Canterbury market and our record of results and service underpins our large loyal customer base and respect within the industry.

“We are proud to have a highly experienced team of professionals who are passionate about their role in real estate sales in Canterbury. Now they have the opportunity to pursue premium sales further afield. “

Anthony Harris, Chief Operating Officer of the Belle Property Group, says the sale is good news for the South Island real estate scene.

“Layne and Linda have a proven track record of business and real estate experience and success - they have certainly made their mark on Christchurch since they bought Simes 18 months ago,” he says.

“I have no doubt they will bring their management and real estate expertise and reputation to the Belle Property brand. I am sure their South Island ownership will build on what the management and staff have already established in the Belle Queenstown office.”

Background

Layne Harwood is a respected New Zealand entrepreneur with an impressive history in both business and real estate. Layne started his career as a property valuer nearly three decades ago and later went on to establish his own commercial valuation practice in Auckland, before expanding into property consultancy, property development and management consultancy.

In 1998 Layne was recruited to Barfoot & Thompson, one of Auckland’s leading real estate agencies, where from 2000 he headed up the commercial property division. During his stewardship, the commercial property division grew from 15 to 70 staff, with an impressive growth in performance increasing the total value of sales achieved from an initial basis $50 million to more than $500 million in his last year in 2005.

With a desire to own their own agency and attracted by its solid reputation and iconic market status, Layne and his wife Linda purchased the majority shareholding in Simes in December 2005 and moved to Christchurch with their two young daughters.

Linda Coleman is a successful businesswoman with a track record of achievement in international finance in currency and bond trading, futures trading and in the New Zealand property bond market. Linda is a talented marketer who has solid business management experience, an understanding of the commercial world, marketing abilities and a positive attitude.

ENDS

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