Satchells Meet the Team: Managing Director Alan Hilditch

Alan Hilditch heads up the highly experienced team at Satchells and in his own words says: “I was born to sell.” This doesn’t come from an arrogant place – and once you have met or even just spoken with Alan you’ll know that to be true!

Never one to miss a trick and eager to earn, when he was at school, Alan ‘rented’ out books from the library and sold bags of sticks to residents in his home village of Upper Caldecote. When he took his first job which involved rising at 5am to pick 100 pounds of strawberries, he cleverly worked out that if they were wet they would be heavier, thus, reaching his target quicker!

A friendly and humorous character, Alan will regale you with stories of his colourful life as an estate agent and his fascinating family history.

Alan’s grandfather joined Mr Satchell and Satchells was established in 1922. It has always been a family affair. Alan worked part time with his father John during the weekends at Satchells even while undertaking an engineering apprenticeship after he left school.

Alan says:

“I was probably the worst technical engineer they had! But I landed a job in the spares department and then in the sales office which progressed to sales out on the road. That’s when I found my true vocation. I loved travelling the UK selling equipment that measured the flow of things – chocolate, beer, milk, even tomato sauce!”

This work took Alan all over the UK and overseas and he spent a lot of time travelling. Having then met and married Clare, the love of his life, later when their daughter Molly arrived, Alan decided he wanted to spend more time at home with his young family.

Alan’s father John Hilditch offered him a full-time role at Satchells but made it clear that just like any other employee, he would be taken on for a three month trial period and if he didn’t cut the mustard he would be out!

That was 20 years ago, so Alan has definitely earned his stripes! Now working with his brother Derek and niece Emily, Satchells is still a proper, traditional family firm covering four generations.
Over the years, Alan has built a reputation for being very knowledgeable about a huge range of subjects, from property and site development to surveying and conversions of listed buildings…and everything in between. If you have land, barns or out-buildings and you want to discuss a conversion, then Alan is definitely the man to help!

Outside of work, Alan’s main interest is his family. Now married for 23 years to Clare and with Molly grown up and degree educated, Alan is a super proud husband and father.

His other great interest is Rugby. For many years he played at Biggleswade – probably the best club in the area and here he captained the seconds. You can still find Alan plodding around the pitch now with the other veterans!
Alan is also a Cub and Scout Leader and he himself holds the prestigious Queen’s Scout Award. Indeed, some of his Cubs and Scouts have even worked for Satchells!

Alan says:

“I love to teach children about survival skills, lighting fires and cooking! It makes me feel good to be able to introduce children with special needs to activities like these and it makes me proud to know that they have gone on to achieve major milestones in their lives.”

Alan’s life as an estate agent is varied, and he certainly has some stories to tell! From selling barges to George Orwell’s house, a Crofters cottage, a Quaker Meeting House, a brewery and even a graveyard and a swinger’s club there is nothing that phases Alan.

Alan’s attitude is clear and a real breath of fresh air. He (and indeed the rest of the Satchell’s team) pay huge attention to detail, always putting the client first. Selling is a very personal thing and Alan strives to get the very best deal for every single customer. Building long term relationships based on trust is important to him.

“I love what I do, have learned along the way from the best and have made some fantastic contacts. I believe in treating others how I would expect to be treated myself and will always go the extra mile.”

And this is most certainly the truth!