Occupation: Managing Director
Age: 35
E-Mail Address: tony@northernpropertyni.com
Place of Birth: Belfast
Where you live: South Belfast
First Job: At 16 working on building sites in London
What it taught me: I wanted a career in the construction/property industry
Family/Status: Married
Name of spouse and children: Cathy, Ronan (5) and Ollie (2)
Best advice anyone ever gave you: Look after your own business
Best advice you could give someone starting out: Set realistic targets and try and enjoy it
Born and bred in West Belfast, Tony Donnelly, Managing Director of NorthernPropertyni.com has always immersed himself in the world of construction and property. The former St Mary’s Christian Brothers’ Grammar School pupil took up summer placements working on building sites in London when he was just 16 and was determined to carve out a career in the construction/property industry.
After graduating from Queen’s University, Belfast as a Civil Engineer, Tony went to work for various construction giants including Farrans and O’Hare & McGovern.
“After seeing the returns I decided to become self-employed and project manage various sites in and around Belfast,” he explains.
Together with brother Declan Donnelly, the pair began to amass their own property portfolio and from this Northern Property was formed in 2006. Having just relocated to new purpose fitted premises in the Gaeltacht Quarter at the corner of Beechmount Avenue, the company has grown from a staff of one to twelve. Each staff member hails from a background in construction, finance and property and is on hand to advise on rental, sales, management, insurance and mortgages.
Tony puts his consistent success down to respect for his clients and his customer base as well as the importance of education.
“It is vital to treat your customers and clients as you would expect to be treated yourself. If contacting a client about a problem also offer a solution.”
Tony has also opened an estate agents with James Dickson (Jordanstown Real Estate) on the Lisburn Road called DonnellyDickson which is a reflection of his determination to “talk the talk and walk the walk”.
www.northernpropertyni.com
