Question Time with Retiring Partner Tony
December 2022
Tony Overhill FRICS FAAV is about to embark on a new chapter, but before he leaves us to start a well-earned retirement the marketing department had a chance to catch up with him and find out about his successful career.
What inspired you to get into the business in the first place?
"Fate – from the age of 6 I had always wanted to be a vet and that was on track until I failed to get the right grades in my A levels. My love of motorbikes, cars and anything mechanical coupled with too much partying distracted me from studying as hard as I should have. Tired with the educational system I decided to take a year out and contemplate alternative careers. Thoughts varied from tractor driver to Pathologist but nothing really stuck. My now brother in law had just finished the Rural Estate Management course at Cirencester and suggested it to me as a possible alternative. It struck a chord and the rest is history as they say. I have had a wonderful and varied career and never once regretted the choice I made."
What is your proudest achievement?
“It probably sounds slightly clichéd but undoubtedly seeing GTH develop from the humble two office firm that I joined as WRJ Greenslade back in 1988 to the multi faceted, multi talented and multi office firm that Greenslade Taylor Hunt now is. I like to think that I have played a small part in that.”
What will you miss when you retire?
“Undoubtedly the camaraderie of my fellow partners and everyone I have had the pleasure to work with.”
How has your role changed over the years/has technology helped/hindered the process?
“My day-to-day role has essentially remained the same. What has changed however is the technology we employ on a day-to-day basis - emails, the www, and numerous software programmes all designed to make life easier. We take them for granted and are lost when they are not available. Do they help? Up to a point yes, but the single most important attribute remains communication – speaking directly to clients and that has not changed in the 40 years that I have been in the profession,” said Tony.
Do you have any special plans/projects for your retirement?
“The list is too great, but here’s a few …… to be able to finish reading the weekend papers on a Monday ( or Tuesday), to finish the many building projects started over the last few years (as well as starting a few more), to have more time to visit family and friends, to perfect my fly fishing skills, to spend more time driving my tractor. Travelling and not having to shave everyday day. Oh and perhaps to learn to play golf better than my old mucker Derek Biss (who now becomes the oldest GTH partner ! )”
What inspired you to get into the business in the first place?
"Fate – from the age of 6 I had always wanted to be a vet and that was on track until I failed to get the right grades in my A levels. My love of motorbikes, cars and anything mechanical coupled with too much partying distracted me from studying as hard as I should have. Tired with the educational system I decided to take a year out and contemplate alternative careers. Thoughts varied from tractor driver to Pathologist but nothing really stuck. My now brother in law had just finished the Rural Estate Management course at Cirencester and suggested it to me as a possible alternative. It struck a chord and the rest is history as they say. I have had a wonderful and varied career and never once regretted the choice I made."
What is your proudest achievement?
“It probably sounds slightly clichéd but undoubtedly seeing GTH develop from the humble two office firm that I joined as WRJ Greenslade back in 1988 to the multi faceted, multi talented and multi office firm that Greenslade Taylor Hunt now is. I like to think that I have played a small part in that.”
What will you miss when you retire?
“Undoubtedly the camaraderie of my fellow partners and everyone I have had the pleasure to work with.”
How has your role changed over the years/has technology helped/hindered the process?
“My day-to-day role has essentially remained the same. What has changed however is the technology we employ on a day-to-day basis - emails, the www, and numerous software programmes all designed to make life easier. We take them for granted and are lost when they are not available. Do they help? Up to a point yes, but the single most important attribute remains communication – speaking directly to clients and that has not changed in the 40 years that I have been in the profession,” said Tony.
Do you have any special plans/projects for your retirement?
“The list is too great, but here’s a few …… to be able to finish reading the weekend papers on a Monday ( or Tuesday), to finish the many building projects started over the last few years (as well as starting a few more), to have more time to visit family and friends, to perfect my fly fishing skills, to spend more time driving my tractor. Travelling and not having to shave everyday day. Oh and perhaps to learn to play golf better than my old mucker Derek Biss (who now becomes the oldest GTH partner ! )”