Welcome home: James Catlin returns to Jacobs Steel as Lettings Manager

James Catlin - Lettings Manager at Jacobs Steel Worthing, Findon, Lancing, Shoreham, Brighton and Hove

After nearly two decades in the lettings industry, James Catlin is back where it all began, and he’s bringing with him a wealth of experience, a fresh perspective, and a passion for doing things the right way.

We’re delighted to welcome James to the Jacobs Steel family (again!), this time as Lettings Manager, based at our flagship Worthing branch. As a Fellow of the Association of Residential Lettings Agents, and holding the highest qualification you can acquire in Lettings, his appointment marks an exciting chapter for our lettings team as we continue to expand our reach and help more landlords navigate the ever-changing rental landscape with confidence.

A full-circle moment

James’s story with Jacobs Steel started as a teenager, working weekends as a Saturday assistant. Eight years later, he left to gain experience in the corporate world – but the independent agency model kept calling him back.

“With an independent agent, it’s about doing the right thing for your customers,” says James. “You can be proud of who you work for. You feel more valued, and it shows in the way you do business.”

That ethos is exactly what brought James back to Jacobs Steel, a firm he knows stands for integrity, outstanding service, and genuine community values.

Driving growth with a human touch

James joins the team with a clear mission: to drive new business and help landlords understand how Jacobs Steel can support them – from staying compliant with new legislation to maximising their return on investment.

He’ll be working closely with Lettings Director, Ollie Whiting, and the established lettings team, ensuring that growth never comes at the cost of culture.

“Ollie has built a brilliant team here; friendly, professional, and deeply committed to clients. I’m here to build on that, not change it. It’s about supporting the team, bringing in new landlords, and making sure we maintain the Jacobs Steel way of doing things.”

Lettings market insight: “opportunity is still out there”

With almost 18 years in the industry, James has seen lettings evolve, and he’s optimistic about where things are heading.

“There’s a lot of noise around the Renters Reform Bill, but I believe it’s a positive step for tenants, especially where landlords aren’t maintaining their properties properly. For reputable landlords, the impact should be minimal,” he explains.

“Demand for rental properties is still strong, and over the next 12 months I expect we’ll see a steady rise in rental values. For landlords investing wisely, the returns are still very compelling.”

Service with substance

James’s customer service philosophy is refreshingly simple: be positive, helpful, and respectful – always. It’s no surprise his mindset fits right in at Jacobs Steel, a firm with over 1,500 five-star Google reviews and a reputation for going the extra mile.

“At Jacobs Steel, service isn’t just a buzzword. It’s embedded in everything, from the first phone call to the last set of keys handed over. That’s the kind of business I want to be part of.”

A word from our Lettings Director

Lettings Director, Ollie Whiting, shared his thoughts on James’s return:

“James brings the perfect mix of experience, local knowledge, and a deep understanding of what landlords need today. He’s a great cultural fit and we’re excited to have him back in the fold as we continue to grow our lettings business.”