In Conversation With Katy Woodcock

In Conversation with Katy Woodcock

In this month’s In Conversation With, we chat with Katy Woodcock, who joined our team this year as Sales Progression Manager. Katy brings a wealth of experience from a career in communications, having worked with global brands in the UK and internationally. More recently, she worked closely with high-net-worth families, where her role evolved into property management and sparked a strong interest in the property sector.

Living on a busy family farm in North Northumberland, Katy has also worked as a consultant to businesses across the county and into the Scottish Borders, developing excellent local knowledge. We asked Katy about some of her favourite local places and business, while her dream home also has us dreaming about Provence.

Firstly, can you tell us a bit about yourself and what you do?

I handle the sales progression for all properties at Paton & Co – the final phase in the property sales process that begins once an offer is accepted and ends upon completion and key handover. This involves co-ordinating between buyers, sellers, estate agents, solicitors, mortgage brokers and surveyors to ensure a smooth transaction. Sales progression is vital for reducing the risk of fall-throughs, which can occur if the process is not managed properly.

What do you enjoy most about your work?

It is an extremely satisfying role – property chains and transactions can be messy, but guiding a property through from under offer to completion gives a real sense of achievement. I also love building relationships with buyers, sellers, solicitors and brokers, and being the main source of reassurance for clients who are handling one of the biggest financial decisions of their lives.   The problem-solving aspect of finding solutions or workarounds to issues that crop up, which keep a sale on track, is genuinely rewarding.

What’s your favourite place to escape to or explore?

It’s always the beach and usually Holy Island – even in high summer you can sometimes have the whole beach to yourself. Just watch the tide times!  I also spend many hours on my horse Margo in the Bowmont Forest just outside Kelso. It’s a very special place that really marks the changing of the seasons. Autumn especially feels like you are riding through a movie set.

Can you tell us some of your favourite local businesses?

Scott’s of Kelso is always a good idea – it’s the best place for a long lunch with friends and the food is always incredible with locally sourced products and a French bistro vibe.

Cornhill Village Shop is a staple for our community offering all the best bits of a village store along with a delicious selection of pies, cakes, quiches, jams and gins! You will always get a super warm welcome and a smile.

I’m also a big fan of Floors Castle – I love taking the dogs round the grounds before enjoying an alfresco coffee at The Terrace Café, which is situated next to the beautiful walled garden.

What are you enjoying reading, watching, or listening to at the moment?

It’s always magazines for me – homes and interiors, lifestyle, fashion!  But I also like to switch off with anything light-hearted on Netflix or Prime – Emily in Paris is always a favourite.

If you were to describe your dream home what would it look like?

I think the ultimate dream home would have to be a Provençal villa high in the hills in the South of France looking down to the beaches of the Côte d'Azur (a girl can dream!), but, closer to home, I don’t think you can’t beat a traditional Northumbrian farmhouse with big windows, beautiful views, and preferably full of dogs!

What are you most looking forward to as we move towards summer?

The weather! Lighter nights and long summer evening hacks with good friends. Professionally, I’m looking forward to meeting more of our clients and keeping their sales on track.