"Sit down with Sidney Phillips" is a blog series from Sidney Phillips, showcasing our network of leisure and hospitality sector specialists.
This month, we speak to Regional Valuations Manager for Yorkshire, Ray Vilka...
How long have you worked in the industry, what was your first job?I have been working in property sales and valuations for 21 years, an exciting learning experience having started at the bottom as a lettings negotiator.
What is your favourite thing about working for Sidney Phillips?
The people, they are all very helpful, down to earth, approachable team!
What is the most rewarding part of the job?
Exchanging contracts on a sale as this then means that we have reached the clients goals and my clients can start an exciting new chapter in their lives.
What has been the most challenging aspect of your job?
Learning to value different types of businesses within the leisure and hospitality sectors – a rewarding learning curve.
What are your hobbies away from work?
Cooking. I love my pizza oven and BBQ’s
What is your favourite holiday destination?
Southern Italy, Calabria.
What is your favourite sport?
Football. I am a lifelong Tottenham fan so always had something to talk to local clients about when working in the London property sector.
Tell us something we don’t know about you…
I used to play American football for Great Britain, having the privilege to play wide receiver at the London 2012 Olympics.
What was your first job?
Pizza Hut at 16 years old.
What is your favourite film?
Goodfellas - “You know, we always called each other goodfellas. Like you’d say to somebody: ‘You’re gonna like this guy, he’s all right. He’s a goodfella. He’s one of us.’ You understand? We were goodfellas, wiseguys.”
What do you love about your job?
I get to meet some great characters. From the old school Landlord to the on-trend new generation, every meeting is different.
What’s your hometown? Where do you live now?
Born and raised in central London, however I now live in the beautiful spa town of Harrogate.
What news source do you read every day?
Apple News.
What’s your social media platform of choice?
Instagram.
What’s your biggest pet peeve?
Slow responses, I like to keep things moving whilst the iron is hot.
If you could live and work in any city, where would you go?
Tropea in Italy, voted “Most beautiful village in Italy” in 2021.