We are delighted to have been independently named Managing Agent of the Year (1,001–3,000 Units) by The Property Institute at the 2026 ACE Awards, one of the most prestigious awards in our industry. We provide residential apartment block and housing estate management services throughout Lancashire and Cumbria, supporting residents’ management companies, right to manage companies, freeholders and developers.
Amy and Gillian travelled down to London to represent the team at the awards ceremony, and it was already a proud moment to be shortlisted, especially in our first year entering. To then go on and win both categories we were finalists in was a very special moment for everyone at Rowan.
As well as Rowan being named Managing Agent of the Year, our Property Manager Amy won the Outstanding Customer Service Award (Individual), recognising the care, professionalism and responsiveness she brings to her role.
The Property Institute judges highlighted Rowan’s customer service, transparent fee structure, proactive block management and focus on value for money as part of the award recognition. For a local, family-run business competing on a national stage alongside larger corporate firms across Great Britain, including firms from London and Manchester, this is a huge achievement for the whole team.
We would also like to sincerely thank our clients who have taken the time to leave us an online review. Those reviews helped demonstrate the standards our team works hard to maintain every day. Most importantly, we are only as good as our people, and we feel very fortunate to have the team we have. They all put a great deal of care into their work and fully deserve this recognition.
The awards have also been covered in the press, including by The Westmorland Gazette, which reported the news as “Kendal property management firm Rowan scoops national awards”, and The Blackpool Gazette, which captured the more personal side of the evening with “We had a glass of cava in our dressing gowns to celebrate.”
You can read more here:
Read the article in The Westmorland Gazette
Read the article in The Blackpool Gazette
Read the official ACE Awards winners announcement
Read the article in News on the Block
Winning national recognition is a very proud milestone, but our focus remains local and being the best block and estate manager in Lancashire and Cumbria. As business owners, Chris grew up in Ansdell, Lytham, and Sophie grew up in Underbarrow, just outside Kendal. Rowan was built to serve communities we know and understand.
That is why we remain committed to working with clients within approximately one hour of our Lytham and Levens offices. This allows us to provide a hands-on, personal service, understand the buildings we manage, and work with a trusted network of local contractors.
We also employ local people and place a strong focus on providing a supportive working environment, the right training, development opportunities and a healthy work-life balance. We believe that looking after our people helps them provide the high standard of service our clients expect and deliver Rowan’s rooted-in-value philosophy. If you would like any advice about block or estate management in Lancashire or Cumbria, please feel free to contact us. We are always happy to have an initial conversation and point you in the right direction.