Leah joined SouthSide in 2013 having worked previously in another small Letting Agency in Edinburgh mainly dealing with short-lets, inspections and inventories as well as managing a small portfolio of properties.

Leah began her SouthSide career working on reception however, quickly progressed through the company working in the Applications team, then as a Property Manager and Senior Property Manager before becoming Operations Director in 2020.  Leah is incredibly knowledgeable in all aspects of property management holding the ARLA and SafeAgent qualification in the industry and has played a vital role in facilitating many of the positive changes the company has undergone in recent years.

Outside of work Leah enjoys weekend trips away with her husband, meals out and visiting her family and friends back in Northern Ireland when she can.

When did you join SPM?
January 2010

What are the main aspects of your role?
Legal requirements, Landlord acquisitions/investments and HR.

What is your favourite part of your role?
Keeping people legal and compliant!

Most interesting previous work?
Working with SouthSide has been more interesting than my previous jobs!

What are your hobbies and interests?
Travelling, days out with the kids and long walks with the dog.

Describe your dream home.
Country cottage.

SouthSide was founded to help clients in Edinburgh receive a better quality service and fair pricing through a simple and transparent management approach, that other companies seemingly did not provide. Since 2009, John has steadily and organically grown the company each year, primarily through recommendations and word of mouth, working alongside an experienced senior team.

In addition to property management, John has built his own portfolio, mainly consisting of HMOs. Over the past 21 years, he has consistently invested to expand his holdings, both independently and in partnership with other investors.

Outside of work, John is just as busy. He has two young sons, aged 5 and 11, and his wife Kat, who joined the business in 2021 to focus on refurbishing existing properties. Over the years, John has also coached football at the local primary school, volunteered as a scout leader, and helped young people in business as a trustee on the Board of Directors at Canongate Youth, a charity providing support, recreation, and training opportunities for 5-25 year olds.

What are the main aspects of your role?

Keeping landlords and tenants compliant and safe.

What is your favourite part of your role?

Helping people and finding ways to improve how we work. No two days are ever the same, and I enjoy solving problems and supporting the team.

Most interesting previous work?

Before moving into property, I spent some time working as a pastry chef in a four-star hotel.

What are your hobbies and interests?

Spending time with my family, my two mischievous cats, exploring Scotland and sewing.

 Describe your dream home.

A modern home with lots of natural light, overlooking the sea, with a big garden and a dedicated sewing room.

What are the main aspects of your role?
Liaising with landlords and tenants, managing safety and legislation compliance and maintenance, overseeing the letting and re-letting of properties.  I also carry out property appraisals prior to onboarding new landlords.

What is your favourite part of your role?
Dealing with maintenance and learning new things relating to all different trades every day.  I also enjoy helping the team ensure their portfolios are compliant for landlords and tenants.

Most interesting previous work?
Head mixologist in a busy cocktail bar in the centre of town

What are your hobbies and interests?
Jet skiing, hill climbing and exploring new areas and towns.

Describe your dream home.
The bungalow from the Garfield movie.

When did you join SPM?
June 2019

What are the main aspects of your role?
Managing a portfolio of properties across Edinburgh and assisting the property management team where required including the training and development of new team members.

What is your favourite part of your role?
Building relationships with clients and continuing to expand my knowledge of the property industry.

Most interesting previous work?
Professional acting.

What are your hobbies and interests?
Acting, singing, dancing, plays and musical theatre.  If I’m not performing in a show, I’m rehearsing one.

Describe your dream home.
I would love to build my own house one day.  A lovely, peaceful area, very spacious, grand and traditional.  A walk in wardrobe is a must.

What are the main aspects of your role?
Assisting the property management team and taking calls to assist landlords and tenants to the correct person.

What is your favourite part of your role?
Everyday is different, no two are the same. I also enjoy working with tenants and getting to know the job role better.

Most interesting previous work?
I worked in retail for 3 years before working at SouthSide.

What are your hobbies and interests?
Outside of work I usually spend my time with my friends and family.

Describe your dream home.
My dream home would be a villa in the Italian countryside.

When did you join SPM?
November 2015

What are the main aspects of your role?
Helping landlords and tenants and managing compliance and maintenance to keep properties safe. I also help our Property Management Team.  

What is your favourite part of your role?
The variety that is involved with property management and generally helping clients and the team.

Most interesting previous work?
I’ve been at SouthSide for over 9 years in various roles and it is my most interesting work.

What are your hobbies and interests?
Football, the gym, running and going out with friends.

Describe your dream home.
A villa in Musselburgh

What are the main aspects of your role?

Assisting the property management team with all aspects of property management.

What is your favourite part of your role?

Working with different individuals every day makes the job fun, but I also enjoy being someone who our tenants and landlords can trust.

Most interesting previous work?

Before working at SouthSide, I was a Crew Trainer at McDonald’s in Edinburgh.

What are your hobbies and interests?

I have always been interested in architecture and urban planning but never decided to pursue them as a career. I want to do something in life that people will remember.

Describe your dream home.

My dream home would be a Spanish Revival mansion, in a nice neighbourhood not too far from a city.

What are the main aspects of your role-

Managing a portfolio properties and dealing with maintenance and compliance on behalf of the landlord and tenant.

What is your favourite part of your role-

Creating relationships with tenants and landlords, and providing a solution for any issues a landlord or tenant has.

Most interesting previous work

Education studies at university for 4 years whilst helping with my family  business.

What are your hobbies and interests-

My hobbies outside of work are socialising with friends, travelling, and exploring the world.

Describe your dream home

My dream house to buy would be a detached house in Edinburgh which I can expand and make my own.

What are the main aspects of your role?
Managing office contracts, fleet management, new property administration and assisting the senior team with a variety of administrative tasks.

What is your favourite part of your role?
I love a spreadsheet, and I love to help people.  My role allows me to do both –  stare at spreadsheets, as well as work within the fabulous senior team assisting where I can.

Most interesting previous work?
Pilates teacher – I am a trained Pilates teacher and used to provide class cover here and there.

What are your hobbies and interests?
Pilates, running and my family.

Describe your dream home.
A large traditional style bungalow on the beach front, but also not too far from the city, with high ceilings and large rooms, and an outhouse with a Pilates studio/gym. 

What are the main aspects of your role?

Liaising with landlords and tenants to ensure properties are managed and maintained to the highest possible standard in compliance with safety regulations

What is your favourite part of your role?  

Resolving maintenance issues as quickly as possible to tenants’ and landlords’ satisfaction

Most interesting previous work?

Driving a forklift

What are your hobbies and interests?

Going to live music events and the gym

Describe your dream home.

Top floor flat in centre of Berlin with lots of space and high ceilings

What are the main aspects of your role?

Maintaining great relationships with landlords and tenants while assisting them with any and all aspects of property management. Protecting owners’ investments and ensuring smooth management of their properties.

What is your favourite part of your role?  

Getting acquainted with the wonderful landlords and tenants all whilst working alongside truly amazing colleagues. Constantly learning and evolving to be the best possible Property Manager.

Most interesting previous work?

Head of the humanities department of a very prestigious international school in Malaysia.

What are your hobbies and interests?

Travel, scuba diving, motorbikes and collecting rare vinyl records

Describe your dream home.

Coconut beach hut on a sunny island

What are the main aspects of your role?

Working with tenants, contractors, and landlords to try and provide the best service possible.

What is your favourite part of your role?

Helping tenants and landlords to ensure people are happy within their properties.

Most interesting previous work?

Not sure probably my mums Estate Agency, going out on surveyor visits.

What are your hobbies and interests?

Rugby, Tennis, Football and travelling

Describe your dream home.

One of the houses from Escape to the Chateau in France.

What are the main aspects of your role?

Managing the full letting process for landlords and tenants- handling every stage of renting out a property, from preparing it for the market to ensuring legal compliance and managing the tenancy itself.

What is your favourite part of your role?

The different variety everyday and helping landlords and tenants.

Most interesting previous work?

Stock condition surveyor travelling all over the UK and seeing different parts of the country as well as learning valuable knowledge about property

What are your hobbies and interests?

Running, playing sport, walking my dog, cooking and live music

Describe your dream home.

A chateau in south of France

What are the main aspects of your role?
Assisting with the management of a portfolio of properties, answering landlord and tenant queries, actioning maintenance issues – and a plethora of other things!

What is your favourite part of your role?
The satisfaction of knowing I have resolved issues to a high standard for landlords and tenants.

Most interesting previous work?
Working in the funeral industry was incredibly interesting.

What are your hobbies and interests?
I enjoy cooking, and learning how to cook meals from different cultures – I always try to take a cooking class when I’m abroad! I love reading, exploring new countries, music, and play the bodhran. I’m also what some would class a ‘Disney adult’!

Describe your dream home.
Something country chic, with a big dining room for hosting guests, and a fabulous garden for the dogs to play in!

What are the main aspects of your role?
As the Property Resolution and Improvements manager, I visit multiple properties to either fix problems, report back to the Property Managers and Landlords or find and suggest solutions and plans for the future. I routinely visit our vast portfolio of HMO properties to meet with tenants and carry out general maintenance and improvements.

What is your favourite part of your role?
Being able to find and fix problems at our properties which in turn helps keep our Tenants and Landlords happy.

Most interesting previous work?
I spent seven years in hospitality and a further three years as a self-employed delivery driver before moving into the property sector with Southside.

What are your hobbies and interests?
Socialising and meeting up with friends.

Describe your dream home.
My dream home would be in a rural cottage in the countryside of Scotland.

What are the main aspects of your role?

Assisting with property management and helping whoever may need it, I mainly help with katy as I am her assistant, my role consists of answering phones dealing with questions tenants may have about their property and booking maintenance, I also deal with Landlords whenever they have some queries about there property

What is your favourite part of your role?

I enjoy the interaction I get out of working in southside, weather that be from my colleagues or from tenants and landlords,

Most interesting previous work?

I was previously a crew trainer at McDonalds; this gave me a great starting ground and gave me a lot of the knowledge I use on a day-to-day basis.

What are your hobbies and interests?

When I am not working, I box 4/5 times a week I also play guitar and enjoy travelling and visiting new places

Describe your dream home.

My dream home would have its own gym, a nice garden and a music studio.

What are the main aspects of your role?
As part of the property refurbishment team I assess, propose, tender out to contractors, and manage work through to completion. The role also consists of assisting landlords with improving their properties energy performance in line with the Governments proposal of a minimum EPC rating of C from 2025 and overseeing the department.

What is your favourite part of your role?
Seeing a refurbishment project through to completion and the satisfaction it brings to all those involved.

Most interesting previous work?
Placement work within a care home.

What are your hobbies and interests?
As a season ticket holder at Hibs, I enjoy attending games at the weekend, also watching motorsport and socialising with friends and family.

Describe your dream home.
Located in a village, where everyone is neighbourly and gets on with one another.

What are the main aspects of your role?

Assisting the Lettings and wider team.

What is your favourite part of your role?

Being able to help the team in as many areas as possible to make their work lives easier where possible!

Most interesting previous work?

Arranging large scale, multiple venue events as an Events Manager.

What are your hobbies and interests?

Football and travelling all over Europe watching football.

Describe your dream home.

Villa in the sun with a swimming pool.

What are the main aspects of your role?
Capturing and editing photos and videos of properties that are either new to SPM, between tenancies, or recently refurbished. I also do the marketing floorplans and HMO floorplans.

What is your favourite part of your role?
The editing process. Trying to make a property look as inviting as possible.

Most interesting previous work?
I’ve made music videos for some pretty cool artists. I’ve also made a short film that was broadcast by the BBC. I continue to write/record and tour with my band and film weddings too, both of which has taken me all over the UK and overseas.

What are your hobbies and interests?
Music and football. Obsessed with both.

Describe your dream home.
Somewhere in the countryside. Big enough that my family could live comfortably. It would need to have 1 room dedicated to my sons toys, and another room dedicated to writing and recording music.

What are the main aspects of your role?
Processing applications, dealing with applications queries, creating PRTs for new tenants and communicating with colleagues to complete the application process.

What is your favourite part of your role?
When tenants find the right property for them and finally make the move.  It’s a great feeling knowing you were part of the team that helped that happen.  I also enjoy working in a central location, it’s a great part of town. 

Most interesting previous work?
When I was younger I had a job where I got to travel a lot and see new places across the north of Scotland which, was interesting.

What are your hobbies and interests?
I play rugby for Musselburgh RFC and enjoy watching Hibs play at the weekends.  I also like socialising with friends and trying new things as much as possible. 

Describe your dream home.
My dream home would be a big penthouse by the sea with a games room, swimming pool, bar and other luxuries but most importantly a home filled with happiness.

What are the main aspects of your role?

The main aspect of my role is accepting new coming tenants that landlord would like to proceed with. From then I review their documents and ensure all checks are completed before they pick up their keys. Also handle call that come into the office with enquiries about the properties we have online, and question new tenants have during the document checks.

What is your favourite part of your role?

That I have a part in them hopefully having somewhere they can be safe and call home.

What are your hobbies and interests?

I have always had in interest in theatre, musical theatre mostly. Socializing with my friends and going to gigs.

Describe your dream home.

My dream home would somewhere near a beach, large house with space for a karaoke room maybe a bar for great weekend of entertainment.

What are the main aspects of your role?

Accepting successful applicants to begin their new tenancy and processing the required checks. I also handle new property applications and dealing with any queries or emails during the application process

What is your favourite part of your role?  

Being able to assist applicants in the process of finding a property they would call home

Most interesting previous work?

Volunteering in Italy over the summer at local festivals

What are your hobbies and interests?

I really enjoy travelling and experiencing new cultures, eating out at different restaurants and I also enjoy walking the dogs

Describe your dream home.

My dream house would be one with a balcony or porch that overlooks the water

What are the main aspects of your role?

Visiting properties to ensure they are well maintained for landlords and safe for tenants.

What is your favourite part of your role?

Most interesting previous work?

What are your hobbies and interests?

Describe your dream home.

What are the main aspects of your role?

The main aspect of my role is to carry out Routine Property Visits to ensure properties are well maintained for landlords and safe for tenants.

What is your favourite part of your role?

Getting to see properties I’ve been past loads of times and getting to know the tenants.

Most interesting previous work?

I worked in Albania at a festival site for a few weeks in the summer which was so much fun! Got to work on the beach then join the festival afterwards and make lots of new friends along the way.

What are your hobbies and interests?

I love going on holiday and being in the sun, as well as yoga, horse riding, cycling and dog walking in my free time.

Describe your dream home.

A big but cosy house that backs onto a beach with clear blue water and a big garden with lots of greenery to keep horses and entertain my guests!

What are the main aspects of your role?

Conducting viewings and carrying out routine visits of all Southside properties.

What is your favourite part of your role?

Meeting and speaking with all walks of life that are prospective and current tenants whilst being able to assist them whenever required.

Most interesting previous work?

Being a detective police officer dealing with all serious crimes of violence and dishonesty, no two days at work were similar. The life experiences i gained could not be achieved anywhere else.

What are your hobbies and interests?

Playing racketball, padel, golf and watching Liverpool football club playing on tv.

Describe your dream home.

A spacious home that requires no DIY and has no mortgage attached.

What are the main aspects of your role?

I am part of the Visits and Viewings team so I carry out routine property visits and property viewings. The routine visits help ensure Southside’s properties are well maintained and helps the property managers be proactive in dealing with any repairs.

What is your favourite part of your role?

I love being out and about and getting to know new tenants and also new parts of Edinburgh. No two days are the same!

Most interesting previous work?

I am a cat sitter in my spare time, looking after people’s cats while they’re on holiday. It’s the best job and I now have lots of regular clients who I’m very attached to!

What are your hobbies and interests?

I spend a lot of time cycling in and around Edinburgh with friends and my cycling club. There are so many good trails and I’m always planning new routes.

Describe your dream home.

My dream home would be a traditional cottage in the Scottish countryside with a garage for storing lots of bikes!

What are the main aspects of your role?
I assist with all incoming funds from tenants and landlords as well as preparing the Monthly Rental Statements (MRS) and invoices from local suppliers, ensuring they get paid on time.

What is your favourite part of your role?
The variety of tasks on a day-to-day basis and the fast paced environment.  The camaraderie is a big part of the job too…team work is a must!

Most interesting previous work?
Manager at a Rock bar/restaurant with live bands playing daily.

What are your hobbies and interests?
I am very passionate about cooking as I find being able to create a beautiful meal from a few simple ingredients is very rewarding.  I also love sports (mostly football and international rugby union) but almost all of my free time is spent with the three most important people in my world; my beautiful 1-year old daughter, my partner, and my bulldog Leila.

Describe your dream home.
A big Gothic or Edwardian style Casa Royale on Lake Como with its own vineyard.  That’s the dream.

What are the main aspects of your role?

Assisting with monthly credit card statements, credit card payments, overpayments, utility notifications and several aspects of invoicing. Another aspect of my role is communicating with all the departments to ask about tenants and landlords or their credit card use.

What is your favourite part of your role?

My favourite part of the role is the communication and relationships I build across the company. Even on the very first day I found that everyone in Southside was very friendly and helpful which reassured me a lot as I was quite nervous when I first started!

Most interesting previous work?

Being 18 and the youngest employee at SPM, I’ve only had one previous job and that was in a hotel as a Meetings and Events Assistant which had its ups and downs as hospitality can really test your patience and restraint.

What are your hobbies and interests?

I play football for Edinburgh United U20’s and ever since I was 9 I loved sports as a whole with football being my favourite. Aside from football, I like to run, swim, go to the gym and cook. As for my interests, I’m quite curious so I find just about everything new or active interesting like recently I’ve started taking a big interest into nutrition and what I’m eating on a day-to-day basis.

Describe your dream home.

My dream home would be a villa with a swimming pool, indoor Gym, sauna and cinema room either in Poland or Canada.

What are the main aspects of your role?

Processing property applications including conducting checks, coordinating with the property management team, progressing applicant approvals, preparing documentation and handling queries.

What is your favourite part of your role?

Most interesting previous work?

What are your hobbies and interests?

Describe your dream home.

What are the main aspects of your role?

I update the system with all payments that comes into the bank. I check the statements making sure landlords can get paid. I also check tenant rents and enter invoices so that suppliers can be paid on time.

What is your favourite part of your role?

The best part each month is to balance the numbers to make sure they are accurate. I just love working with numbers.

Most interesting previous work?

I was doing contracting and working at different companies gave you the opportunity to gain experience about different businesses. The last one was with a company that built the Wimbledon roof.

What are your hobbies and interests?

I love to keep fit and go for long walks (10 000+ steps per day). I write poetry and publish my own book. I have learned to bake and with singing made a cd in a recording studio. Love swimming and playing tennis.

Describe your dream home.

I would love a house overlooking Clifton beach in South Africa. It will have a beautiful view with plenty of big windows to enjoy the views of the sea and Table Mountain. Sunsets will be a bonus.