International businesswoman, Patricia shares her vision for Monks

From setting the standard as Shropshire’s leading estate agency, to readiness for a regulated industry, Patricia Baila draws on her impressive international career in her vision for Monks.

Raised in an entrepreneurial family, Patricia determined early that she would become a businesswoman.  “Growing up, I used to visit my grandfather’s and father’s businesses.  My dad bought me a phone and note pad and I used to spend hours watching him work and having long conversations with my imaginary clients!”

A degree in Business Administration followed with holidays spent gaining practical experience.  Patricia still makes time to revisit her first employers in her hometown where she worked part-time and learnt to value trust and relationship building.

Drawn to international opportunities, Patricia saw perfecting the English language as essential and, in 2000, moved to the Lake District to study at the University of Lancaster.  Returning to Spain she excelled working for an export company with high-net-worth clients based across Spain, France, UK and Ireland, and Lebanon.

When Patricia entered real estate, she discovered the industry is all about the people:  guiding clients through the largest financial transactions of their lives.  With that role comes responsibility, a duty to be honest and empathetic, and accountability to manage the transaction with knowledge and expertise.

It is this level of professionalism that Patricia is insistent on instilling into the practice and culture of Monks.  Her mission is to counter the sometimes-stereotypical view of estate agents and to build a business based on honesty and transparency, expertise and responsibility.

Patricia has a particular interest in developing people.  She leads Monks’ Continuous Personal Development programme which offers staff appraisals, career planning and support in gaining industry qualifications.  Patricia is herself a qualified Member of the National Association of Estate Agents.  Monks’ practice of promoting from within and offering family-friendly policies has created a loyal workforce and a positive culture of female advancement.

“We always say to our team that if they want to grow within Monks, the sky is the limit!“

A positive attitude and a can-do approach drive Patricia’s optimistic outlook on life.  With a smile on her face, she believes there is a solution to every problem.  Mindful of her well-being, Patricia balances hard work with enjoying live music, a glass of red wine, walking in the hills, and visiting her family in Spain.

Patricia is pro regulation of the UK property industry, as in many other countries.  Government regulation by licensing would ensure estate agents abide by a set of guarantees and requirements, receive official training, and are regulated by an Ombudsman with accountability through law.

Under Patricia’s guidance, Monks is primed to lead a regulated and licensed industry and remain the leading estate agency in Shropshire.

Read next:  Meet the Personalities  –  What makes us, us  –  Careers