Managing Director Stephen Lancaster has big plans for Eden development
In some ways you can see Stephen Lancaster’s job at the head of PFK as the ultimate dream job and homecoming rolled in to one.
Now four years in to his reign as managing director of broad-based property company probably best known, locally at least, as Penrith Farmers and Kidds, Stephen’s boundless energy and enthusiasm is still evident – and in bucketloads.
Under his leadership, PFK has unquestionably been on a journey – the latest chapter of a distinguished 140-year history – and his vision for the future is both bold and clear.
After all, it is a company he knows well having worked for them in the early 2000s and having been a regular visitor to its auction mart while working on the 300-year-old family farm in Culgaith, near Penrith.
The opportunity to become managing director of the company may have been, in his words “serendipitous”, but from the outside it looks more like his work and life falling neatly in to place.
“I was thinking of coming back to work in Cumbria, and PFK approached me to come back as managing director. I was lucky enough to get the job,” he says, sat in his modern and striking office at Skirsgill Gardens just off junction 40 of the M6.
“With my local connections, background in property development and skills as a land agent, it all fitted together perfectly. It was just right.”
He took no time getting stuck in to freshening up the business, building on the experience he gained during a career which has seen him work for the likes of North West Water, Story Homes and Persimmon Homes – the latter when housebuilding was at its peak before the very sudden crash of 2007; an experience Stephen describes as both a steep learning curve that prepared him for the tough world of business.
The obvious sign of his impact is a refreshed brand – bold PFK lettering against a strong green background – but the changes run much deeper.
“I thought it was important we freshened the business up and made it fit for the future. I’ve spent four years acting really as a management consultant, restructuring the business and how we look at things,” says Stephen.
“My focus has been on energising the teams again, bringing in the best people we can where we need them. I wanted to create an environment where people could, as an individual and an employee, express themselves.
“At PFK, people are individuals, it is my challenge to get them to work together as a team. I think we have achieved that. People are coming here for the right reasons, it is not just about salary. They are coming to a job they believe in.”
PFK employs around 70 people working across its property management, investment and development land, estate agency, consultancy and transaction advisory arms, as well as it auction mart and auction sale room.
It is a broad range of services, but for Stephen how they bind together with one simple goal – to make property as simple as possible.
And there is one clear and huge opportunity for PFK in the shape of Eden Forty One Business Park.
A huge amount of work has already gone in to what is arguably, the biggest commercial property development to take place in Eden for years.
PFK worked with Eden District Council, councillors and the public to bring forward the 18-acre development site, which lies off junction 41.
Stephen says the really hard work is now under way to secure the development, which has planning permission for distribution, manufacturing and office uses.
“This has got to be the best opportunity we currently have for the future,” he says.
“It could also be a platform for us to kick to do other things.”
“And for Eden, this is massive too. The council has said it wants to have business here. Too often people have driven passed Penrith on their way to Carlisle, and to be honest that’s really frustrating. It is frustrating as a businessman and as a resident. We now have this opportunity to say whatever they do in Carlisle, Kendal or Barrow, we can have that in Penrith.”
Confidence in the future of PFK’s other areas of operation is just as high, despite the uncertainty caused by Brexit.
“On the trading side, we believe we have significant opportunities for growth,” says Stephen.
“We’re in a tougher market at the moment because of Brexit, but our teams are resilient and always looking out for new opportunities.
“For example, on the estate agency side, we’re looking at how we improve our digital offer. But we’re always going to be on the high street. We believe in doing business face-to-face.”
That personal touch with clients and the strong team ethic Stephen has built at PFK team is understandable when delving deeper in to Stephen’s love of rugby and his passionate support for Penrith Rugby Club in particular.
The similarities between rugby and businesses is clearly one that he drives in to the PFK team. Work hard during game-time (or office hours), tackle weaknesses head-on, and take a well-earned rest to recharge energy levels and come back stronger for the next game (or working day).
It is an approach he clearly shares with his very famous brother – former England rugby coach, now coach of top Irish side Leinster, Stuart Lancaster.
“It is easier to identify my leadership style in Stuart, because his is played out in public,” says Stephen proudly.
“We have similar values. We’re very proud of our roots, we’re probably a little bit selfless to our own detriment. But we should both be proud of what we have achieved.
“He’s the living embodiment of Cumbrian people. He’s resilient and he’s shown that. He did very well and enjoyed his time at England although we all know how that ended [he was sacked after England’s early exit from the 2015 World Cup]. He’s doing very well at Leinster and he will continue to do so.”
There can be little doubt of success at PFK given Stephen’s determination as he and the PFK team drive for the line.
This article appeared in the March edition of in-Cumbria magazine and has been republished with their permission. To view the e-mag and for the latest business news from Cumbria visit www.in-cumbria.co.uk
Now four years in to his reign as managing director of broad-based property company probably best known, locally at least, as Penrith Farmers and Kidds, Stephen’s boundless energy and enthusiasm is still evident – and in bucketloads.
Under his leadership, PFK has unquestionably been on a journey – the latest chapter of a distinguished 140-year history – and his vision for the future is both bold and clear.
After all, it is a company he knows well having worked for them in the early 2000s and having been a regular visitor to its auction mart while working on the 300-year-old family farm in Culgaith, near Penrith.
The opportunity to become managing director of the company may have been, in his words “serendipitous”, but from the outside it looks more like his work and life falling neatly in to place.
“I was thinking of coming back to work in Cumbria, and PFK approached me to come back as managing director. I was lucky enough to get the job,” he says, sat in his modern and striking office at Skirsgill Gardens just off junction 40 of the M6.
“With my local connections, background in property development and skills as a land agent, it all fitted together perfectly. It was just right.”
He took no time getting stuck in to freshening up the business, building on the experience he gained during a career which has seen him work for the likes of North West Water, Story Homes and Persimmon Homes – the latter when housebuilding was at its peak before the very sudden crash of 2007; an experience Stephen describes as both a steep learning curve that prepared him for the tough world of business.
The obvious sign of his impact is a refreshed brand – bold PFK lettering against a strong green background – but the changes run much deeper.
“I thought it was important we freshened the business up and made it fit for the future. I’ve spent four years acting really as a management consultant, restructuring the business and how we look at things,” says Stephen.
“My focus has been on energising the teams again, bringing in the best people we can where we need them. I wanted to create an environment where people could, as an individual and an employee, express themselves.
“At PFK, people are individuals, it is my challenge to get them to work together as a team. I think we have achieved that. People are coming here for the right reasons, it is not just about salary. They are coming to a job they believe in.”
PFK employs around 70 people working across its property management, investment and development land, estate agency, consultancy and transaction advisory arms, as well as it auction mart and auction sale room.
It is a broad range of services, but for Stephen how they bind together with one simple goal – to make property as simple as possible.
And there is one clear and huge opportunity for PFK in the shape of Eden Forty One Business Park.
A huge amount of work has already gone in to what is arguably, the biggest commercial property development to take place in Eden for years.
PFK worked with Eden District Council, councillors and the public to bring forward the 18-acre development site, which lies off junction 41.
Stephen says the really hard work is now under way to secure the development, which has planning permission for distribution, manufacturing and office uses.
“This has got to be the best opportunity we currently have for the future,” he says.
“It could also be a platform for us to kick to do other things.”
“And for Eden, this is massive too. The council has said it wants to have business here. Too often people have driven passed Penrith on their way to Carlisle, and to be honest that’s really frustrating. It is frustrating as a businessman and as a resident. We now have this opportunity to say whatever they do in Carlisle, Kendal or Barrow, we can have that in Penrith.”
Confidence in the future of PFK’s other areas of operation is just as high, despite the uncertainty caused by Brexit.
“On the trading side, we believe we have significant opportunities for growth,” says Stephen.
“We’re in a tougher market at the moment because of Brexit, but our teams are resilient and always looking out for new opportunities.
“For example, on the estate agency side, we’re looking at how we improve our digital offer. But we’re always going to be on the high street. We believe in doing business face-to-face.”
That personal touch with clients and the strong team ethic Stephen has built at PFK team is understandable when delving deeper in to Stephen’s love of rugby and his passionate support for Penrith Rugby Club in particular.
The similarities between rugby and businesses is clearly one that he drives in to the PFK team. Work hard during game-time (or office hours), tackle weaknesses head-on, and take a well-earned rest to recharge energy levels and come back stronger for the next game (or working day).
It is an approach he clearly shares with his very famous brother – former England rugby coach, now coach of top Irish side Leinster, Stuart Lancaster.
“It is easier to identify my leadership style in Stuart, because his is played out in public,” says Stephen proudly.
“We have similar values. We’re very proud of our roots, we’re probably a little bit selfless to our own detriment. But we should both be proud of what we have achieved.
“He’s the living embodiment of Cumbrian people. He’s resilient and he’s shown that. He did very well and enjoyed his time at England although we all know how that ended [he was sacked after England’s early exit from the 2015 World Cup]. He’s doing very well at Leinster and he will continue to do so.”
There can be little doubt of success at PFK given Stephen’s determination as he and the PFK team drive for the line.
This article appeared in the March edition of in-Cumbria magazine and has been republished with their permission. To view the e-mag and for the latest business news from Cumbria visit www.in-cumbria.co.uk
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