In Conversation with Fiona Pagett, Paton & Co’s new Partner, who brings a diverse wealth of experience to her role.
Having started her working life in broadcast journalism, Fiona’s career path has continued to evolve since, from communications to multimedia services through to a complete change of direction when she set up her own business as a personal trainer. Property came later, in 2019, when Fiona joined Purplebricks and subsequently worked with Rettie.
“Whilst I’ve done a little zig-zagging throughout my career, two things have remained fundamental in all that I’ve done: firstly, communication, which I’ve come to realise is always the missing link when things go awry. Secondly, I’m personally driven by an enormous desire to care for people and if one phrase sums me up, it’s, ‘I’ve got your back.’
“I hesitated prior to training as an estate agent due to the fact that the industry is renowned for being cut throat – did I want to be part of this? I do like a challenge though, and there’s always room to do things differently,” says Fiona, and doing things differently – and better – is certainly at the core of Paton & Co’s ethos. We’re delighted to welcome Fiona to the team and wanted to take this opportunity to introduce her properly.
Welcome to Paton & Co Fiona. Can you tell us a little bit more about your background?
I was initially trained as a broadcast journalist with my first roles being with Northsound Radio in Aberdeen, where I was a news assistant and DJ, and was often boarding the tiny Robinson helicopter at 5am to deliver travel reports across the city. At the same time I worked at Grampian TV as a continuity announcer, delivering news bulletins.
I moved to Glasgow in 1993 and proceeded to present Eikon, a weekly magazine programme for STV. Over time I conducted over 5000 interviews and was incredibly fortunate to meet the Dalai Lama and the late Bishop Desmond Tutu (two incredible human beings), plus travel the country delving into all sorts of fascinating stories and talking to people from all manner of backgrounds. I had a career break when my children arrived.
In 2002, I was appointed as Head of Communications for Business in the Community Scotland, a business charity that was breaking new ground in the field of corporate social responsibility. I worked with CEOs and senior management teams including Scottish Power, BT, Diageo, Scottish Enterprise and RBS, with the aim of involving the businesses in community initiatives.
I was also in charge of the rural projects which involved the organisation of several trips with HRH Prince Charles (as he was at the time). I can say from personal experience that he is a charming man who is passionate about all things environmental, and he was incredibly supportive of the initiatives we initiated – he supports them to this day.
A hankering for broadcasting led me to set up my own company in 2005 offering professional multimedia services. We serviced local clients such as Peebles Hotel Hydro and Sykes Global Services in Galashiels, and clients further afield such as Digby Brown and also Intercontinental Hotels – one project involved a trip to Dubai where we coached hotel managers in crisis communications and how to respond in the event of a terrorist attack. In March 2010, I was commissioned to present a series of programmes, which I proposed, on Parenting for BBC Radio Scotland. Sadly, our company suffered post-2008 when businesses tightened belts on marketing.
So, a complete change of tack for me and, aged 40, I qualified as a personal trainer. Over the next decade I grew my business delivering PT sessions and fitness classes locally. I still take evening classes in Zumba and Spin, and also work on occasional weekends as a fitness instructor at Castle Craig Rehab Hospital in Blyth Bridge.
What led you to move into property?
I have two youngsters, Angus 24, and Katie 21. When they left school, I realised I had more time and could contemplate a full time job once more – it was the end of juggling PT sessions with school pick-ups! By chance, I noticed an advert online and began a 12 month training with Purplebricks, during which time I passed my Level 6 Award in the Sale of Residential Property Scotland. I covered South West Edinburgh, which was essentially a baptism of fire, the benefit being that it gave me a huge amount of experience very fast. I then joined Rettie, which allowed me to operate in a rural market, which is my preference, and mainly in the southern Borders.
Now, with Paton & Co, I can cover my local patch – Peeblesshire, which I’m so excited about.
With such diverse professional experience, how do you feel this informs your work now?
This goes back to what I said about the two things that have remained fundamental in all the work I’ve done: communication, and the fact that I’m personally driven by the desire to care for people. I feel truly passionate about this.
With moving house being the most stressful thing most people do, even when it goes smoothly, my sense was that if customers felt fully supported and reassured, and also confident that they would be kept in the loop at all times, this alone would make a huge difference. It does, and this is how I conduct my business.
As we move through precarious times with continued uncertainty, this aspect of care is more important than ever. Customers need a professional guiding hand, and the knowledge that their agent is readily contactable and will guarantee 100% effort and consistency towards a successful sale.
In this sense, in terms of bringing my past career experience to the table, whether it’s been coaching a CEO to present to camera, encouraging a 50 year old woman that she can indeed run a 10K or, latterly, empathising with a couple who are due to sell their beloved family home in order to downsize – clear and effective communications, combined with the heartfelt promise of ‘I’ve got your back’, combine as the magic ingredients in my book.
I’m over the moon to be joining Paton & Co and look forward to working with a like-minded team of people committed to providing a consistently professional and top notch service. I’m thrilled to be working in my local area and helping to grow the business in Peeblesshire. I’ve lived in Broughton for 22 years; it’s where I’ve brought up my children and I’ve been involved in lots of community organisations and initiatives over the years. I enjoy the benefits of living in a close rural community and am a huge advocate of country life.
What do you enjoy doing outside of work?
I love to walk with my two spaniels and I’m a very keen amateur photographer. I also like to ski and sing (not at the same time!) and hope to be doing more of both these things soon… In a voluntary role, I’m a Community First Responder and will often be on call outwith working hours. We support the Scottish Ambulance Service and respond via their call desk to 999 calls locally. It’s a big commitment but, in a rural area, it’s a vital service, so it’s something I’m very happy to be part of.
Do you have any recommendations of places you enjoy exploring or visiting?
Favourite walks include the John Buchan Way, from Peebles to Broughton
Glentress 7Stanes near Peebles for mountain biking
Kailzie Gardens, just east of Peebles
Cringletie hotel, restaurant and gardens
House of Gaia in Peebles
Coltman’s kitchen, deli and bar
Artisan chocolatier Cocoa Black
Eastgate Theatre and Arts Centre in Peebles
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