'We had a glass of cava in our dressing gowns to celebrate' - Family-run Lytham company wins brace of awards

A family-run property management company with an office in Lytham has secured two major honours at the 2026 ACE Awards, which recognise excellence across the residential property management sector.

Founded seven and a half years ago by husband-and-wife team Chris and Sophie Brook, Rowan Block & Estate Management was named Managing Agent of the Year (1,001–3,000 Units), with judges praising the company’s customer service, transparent fee structure, proactive block management and focus on delivering value for money for clients.

The company also celebrated individual success as Amy, a Property Manager based at Rowan’s Lytham office, won the Outstanding Customer Service Award (Individual), recognising the personable client relationships, responsiveness and professionalism she brings to her role.

Sophie Brook said: “We only entered two awards, so to win both of them was a real shock but vindication for all the team’s hard work over the years.

“Amy messaged us at around 10pm to say we had won. Chris and I were at home getting ready for bed and could not quite believe it. We ended up going downstairs in our dressing gowns to have a glass of cava, trying not to wake the children because we were so excited.

“We strongly feel this is a team award so it was great members of the team had the opportunity to experience the awards night”

The growth of the business

Rowan was established after the couple experienced poor value for money and reactive property management services while living in an apartment in Manchester. Originally operating from a garden shed at the family home, the business started with just six clients.

Today, Rowan employs 14 people and manages around 130 residential blocks, estates and developments across Lancashire, Cumbria, the Fylde Coast, South Lakeland and Morecambe Bay. The company operates from offices at Peel Hall Business Park in Lytham and Levens Hall near Kendal.

Rowan manages the shared internal and external areas of residential developments, including roofs, hallways, gardens and communal spaces. Its responsibilities include arranging maintenance, preparing budgets, chairing resident meetings and helping owners protect their homes and investments.

Being local matters

Chris Brook said: “Being local really matters to us. I know so many of the streets and buildings we manage or visit, and last week I was at a building next door to my grandparents’ house, where I used to go for tea every week as a child.

“That is why we only typically take on clients within around an hour of our offices. We want to be close enough to visit sites, understand the buildings properly and support clients in person when they need us.”

Sophie added: “We started Rowan because we wanted to build a quality business with great people, rooted in value and genuine care. Chris and I had both experienced the pressure of demanding city jobs and had seen how stressful working life can become when businesses are purely driven by financial targets rather than people.

“We wanted to build a kinder, employer-led culture where people could do excellent work, be properly supported and still have a life outside work. The early years were extremely hard, and Chris was working round the clock before we could afford to grow the team, but we have always tried to grow responsibly and sustainably whilst maintaining the highest service levels.

“Our aim is for clients to be properly looked after, and for our team to have good careers, feel respected and be rewarded for their hard work.”