Editor’s Note:
Interviewed by Chris Callear, Director of Membership
At the AIIC, we’re proud to represent a diverse range of professionals who bring real-world grit, passion, and problem-solving skills to the property industry—and Paul Roberts of Assured Inventories in Norwich is a standout example.
With more than a decade of experience, Paul’s journey into the industry has been anything but ordinary. After facing redundancy, he turned uncertainty into opportunity. His story is one of perseverance, adaptability, and a deep belief in doing things right. Along the way, he has built a business based on reliability, transparency, and trust—values that continue to serve him and his clients well.
We caught up with Paul to learn how he got started, what it took to grow his business, and the lessons he’s picked up from the front lines of inventory reporting.
Getting Started
Q: Paul, how did you find your way into the inventory industry?
A: It wasn’t something I set out to do originally. I’d just been made redundant from my first job because technology had made my role obsolete. I ended up in another position where I saw the same thing happening—tech was slowly taking over. A friend of mine, who knew a few letting agents, suggested that inventory work might suit my skillset. I was already managing my parents’ property while they were abroad and had written some basic inventories, so it didn’t feel completely alien to me. After some research, I realised this could be a long-term profession and one less likely to be replaced by tech overnight.
Q: What training did you do to get started?
A: I found the AIIC’s “How to Become an Inventory Professional” course, which turned out to be exactly what I needed—comprehensive, practical, and incredibly useful. It gave me the foundation and confidence to get started, and shortly after completing it, I became a member of the AIIC. However, as valuable as the training was, it was just the beginning—what I really needed next were clients.
Building the Business
Q: How did you go about finding your first clients?
A: I didn’t sit around waiting. I knew I had to put in serious groundwork. I printed off sample reports, a price list, and started visiting letting agents across Norwich. Some I met in person; others I contacted via email. It was a slog. My first job came from a national agent—just a one-off—but they never paid me. That was a tough pill to swallow early on. Still, I pushed on. After four months, I finally got a regular spot as a backup clerk for a franchise agent in town. It wasn’t full-time yet, but it gave me crucial experience.
Q: When did it become a full-time business?
A: Around 10 months in, I got a chance to work with an online agent. That allowed me to leave my old job. A few months later, I picked up three more agents, and that was the turning point. Even my wife left her role as a medical secretary to join me in the business as my typist and secretary—she was much quicker at it than I was! It took a lot of perseverance, but it paid off.
Keys to Success
Q: What do you think has helped your business thrive over the years?
A: I think clients invest in people, not just services. Being reliable, responsive, and honest has always been my approach. Own your mistakes. Don’t overpromise. Be someone your clients can count on. Build relationships to the point where they wouldn’t dream of using anyone else. That kind of trust is gold. In fact, two of the three agents I started with are still with me today.
Q: Have there been challenges along the way?
A: Definitely. I learned the hard way not to rely too heavily on one client. At one point, a single agent was giving me 90% of my work across six branches. Then, out of the blue, the work just stopped. No warning. No explanation. That was tough. I had to start over—but I bounced back quicker because I’d learned so much by then. Also, learning when to say no has been important. It’s easy to burn out, especially in student-heavy cities during summer! But doing too much leads to mistakes, and that hurts everyone.
Final Reflections
Paul’s journey shows that success doesn’t come from shortcuts—it comes from grit, resilience, and doing things the right way, even when no one’s watching. His story offers inspiration to new clerks and seasoned professionals alike.
At the AIIC, we’re proud to have Paul as part of our community. He exemplifies what it means to be a professional clerk—adaptable, dependable, and always focused on the people behind the properties. The AIIC has played a key role in his development, providing training, credibility, networking opportunities, and ongoing support. Being part of a professional body has given him the structure and standards needed to thrive in a constantly evolving industry.
If you’re just starting out, or looking for inspiration to grow, Paul’s journey is proof that with the right mindset—and a bit of old-fashioned determination—you can build something that lasts. Inventory service in Dorset, you can find out more here:
👉assuredinventoriesnorwich.co.uk