Belvoir is celebrating the 20th anniversary of the company’s very first franchise owner, Andy Campbell of Belvoir Moray.

Dorian Gonsalves, Belvoir Managing Director, had this to say: “It is a fantastic achievement for Andy Campbell of Belvoir Moray to be celebrating 20 years with the company. Andy was Belvoir’s very first franchise owner, launching in July 1996. It is fabulous that our very first franchise owner is still in business after 20 years, and is still as passionate and enthusiastic about the business as he was on the day that he first opened.

Our business and industry has changed so much over the last 20 years, and it is testament to Andy’s dedication to his clients that he has changed and evolved so much over the years to become such a significant business in Elgin. We wish him every success for the next 20 years!”

Andy recalls, “When I started Belvoir Moray, I had just retired from the RAF and I built my business up from nothing. I initially worked from a spare room in my own home, with only a chair, a desk, computer and a filing cabinet. How times have changed! Today we are one of the biggest agents in Moray.

We now have five full-time employees and one part-time member of staff, so we are quite a large team, and they are all fantastic. Many of the staff have been with me for years, including my office manager Lynn Roger, who has worked here for 15 years.

I joined Belvoir after a 16-year career in the RAF and was attracted to the franchising route because of the back up and support I would receive from the franchisor, which has proved extremely valuable over the years. Being part of a franchise gives me the support and back up of a national organisation, but with the freedom of being self employed. It is also fantastic to have the help and support of our fellow franchisees within the network.

Over the years I have seen many changes, particularly with new regulations, Internet advertising and social media. I believe that is very important to keep pace with all the changes and to embrace new technology, so that we continue to provide a robust and trustworthy service to all our clients. I may have been in this business for 20 years, but I can honestly say that I still love the job and have no regrets at all. The business continues to expand and we now offer an estate agency service in addition to lettings. We are looking forward to continuing to work with our existing clients – some of whom have been with us from the very beginning – and to welcoming new clients on board.

Belvoir Moray is proof that franchising works. We are a great advertisement for anyone who is considering going down the route of buying into a franchise!”