Shuttlecocks to sales! Badminton ace becomes estate agent

Former youth Olympic Badminton player Grace King is one of first recruits in a campaign launched by hybrid agency Mr and Mrs Clarke to support agents thinking about moving from an employed to a brokerage model.

The Belvoir-backed hybrid agency brand said its Change campaign has received dozens of enquiries from people wanting to enter the industry.

Co-founder of the business Paul Clarke said: “2022 saw a lot of change at Mr and Mrs Clarke. Being acquired by Belvoir! Group accelerated our plans and allowed us to provide our partners with an exceptional level of support. The change from private ownership to being part of a corporate group was game changing for me and our team. 

“I have spoken to hundreds of people who are thinking of changing from being employed in the industry to becoming part of the brokerage model. They are watching what is happening and I predict a shift in the way the UK estate agency industry works in the next couple of years.”

The agency has put together a one-minute film featuring King - who won bronze at the European Junior Championships in 2017 and represented the GB badminton team at the 2018 Youth Olympics – aimed at those looking to change the way they live, where they live and how they live.

She said: “I have been playing at an elite level of sport for the past four years and I have loved every minute.

“But I wanted to change and I wanted to get experience in something else. I did an internship at Mr and Mrs Clarke and I was blown away by the culture, energy and ambition.

“It was like sport but in estate agency. 

“Paul & Alex offered me a full-time job as a support executive to help our partners grow their business. I was also offered an apprenticeship to get qualified as an agent. 

“I’ve just passed my sales and lettings qualifications and I’ve been working alongside Paul on selling homes across the UK. I’ve just listed my fist £1m house on my own. 

“I believe that you have to be surrounded by the best people to get the best out of yourself, that’s why I was so confident that my change was the right one.”

Watch the video below: