Leanne Short | Co-Owner | Stuart Charles Estate Agents
Leanne Short is the proud co-owner of Stuart Charles Estate Agents, a growing family-run business based in Corby, Northamptonshire. Alongside her husband Stuart, she has helped build a company that focuses not only on property transactions but also on the people and life journeys behind every move. Since the company was founded in 2021, Leanne has played an important role in shaping an estate agency experience that feels welcoming, supportive, and genuinely personal. At EliteX, we are proud to have Leanne Short as part of the edition: Prominent Female Property Consultants to Watch, 2026.
For Leanne, estate agency has never simply been about houses. She believes that every property transaction represents an important chapter in someone’s life. Whether a family is buying their first home, moving to create new opportunities, or letting out a property, she understands that the process often carries both excitement and emotional weight. Her goal has always been to make clients feel comfortable, understood, and supported from beginning to end.
“Success is not only measured by growth, but by the relationships we build.”
The business was originally founded by her husband Stuart in 2021 with a clear vision of doing things differently within the property industry. Together, they wanted to move away from the traditional estate agency model and create an experience that focused on honesty, warmth, and genuine care. As a family business rooted in the community, their approach reflects values that place relationships above transactions.
Corby is a town that holds special meaning for Leanne and her family. They believe strongly that local communities deserve businesses that truly understand the people who live there. This belief has shaped how Stuart Charles Estate Agents operates, with a strong focus on building trust, supporting clients through every step of their journey, and maintaining long-lasting relationships within the town.
Before joining Stuart in the business, Leanne had already built a diverse professional background. She has always had a strong entrepreneurial spirit and spent many years running small businesses. Through those experiences, she developed valuable skills in leadership, customer service, and building meaningful client relationships.
Alongside her entrepreneurial work, Leanne spent many years working in independent living, dementia care, and end-of-life care. During this time, she supported individuals and families through some of the most challenging and emotional moments of their lives. These experiences shaped her outlook and strengthened her belief in the importance of empathy, patience, and compassion.
Those qualities now play a central role in how she approaches estate agency. Moving home is often one of the biggest decisions people make, and Leanne believes that clients deserve not only professional guidance but also understanding and reassurance throughout the process. Her background in care has given her the ability to listen carefully, support people through uncertainty, and ensure that every client feels respected and valued.
Like many people, Leanne and Stuart spent time reflecting on their future during the COVID pandemic. That period allowed them to think about what they truly wanted to create in their professional lives. They realised that by combining their shared love of property, their business experience, and their passion for helping people, they could build something new within the estate agency industry.
“When clients feel supported, respected, and valued, the entire moving process becomes easier.”
This reflection led to the creation of Stuart Charles Estate Agents. From the beginning, their mission was simple. They wanted to offer the kind of service they themselves would expect when selling or buying a home. They aimed to create an open, friendly environment where clients could ask questions, seek advice, and feel confident that their goals were being taken seriously.
Hard work and dedication have helped the business grow quickly. Within just a few years of launching, Stuart Charles Estate Agents has achieved remarkable recognition. The company has been awarded the number one estate agent in Corby and the East Midlands for five consecutive years. For a business founded in 2021, this achievement reflects both the trust of the community and the strong relationships the team has built with clients.
Despite these recognitions, Leanne finds the greatest reward in the personal connections that develop along the way. Many clients remain in contact long after their property transactions are completed, and some have become lasting friends. For her, watching people move forward into new stages of their lives is one of the most meaningful parts of the work.
As the company continued to grow, Leanne saw an opportunity to expand into the lettings market. She played a key role in developing a dedicated lettings division within Stuart Charles Estate Agents. Her aim was to bring the same supportive and transparent approach to both landlords and tenants.
Leanne believes that renting should also be handled with professionalism, fairness, and care. By focusing on clear communication and mutual respect, the lettings division has helped create positive experiences for everyone involved. This approach was recognised when the company won the Gold Lettings Award for Corby and the Midlands. The achievement was particularly significant because Stuart Charles became the first office in Corby to win the Midlands award, marking an important milestone for both the business and the town.
In addition to overseeing the lettings side of the company, Leanne manages the marketing and social media presence of the business. She believes that estate agency marketing can be far more creative and personal than traditional approaches. Her goal is to present properties in ways that feel authentic and engaging.
Leanne designs the company’s monthly property leaflets, manages its online platforms, and creates video tours that give buyers a natural view of each home. Rather than simply listing features, she focuses on telling the story of a property and helping potential buyers imagine their lives within it. This approach has helped the business build a strong online presence and connect with a wider audience across the community.
One of the aspects of the business that Leanne values most is that it remains a true family operation. Her husband Stuart serves as the director, and together they have built a company that reflects their shared commitment to hard work, kindness, and community values. Their eldest son Luke has also joined the company as a successful sales negotiator, making the business even more meaningful for the family.
Outside of her professional role, Leanne is also a full-time mother to her two sons, Luke and Max. Balancing family life with running a growing business requires dedication and organisation, but it also motivates her to continue building something that her family can be proud of.
Giving back to the community is another important part of the company’s philosophy. Corby has played a vital role in the success of Stuart Charles Estate Agents, and Leanne believes strongly in supporting the organisations that help strengthen the town. The business actively sponsors and supports a number of local groups and charities, including Corby Town FC, Stewart and Lloyds RFC, Chinfest mental health charity, Corby Pride, local homeless shelters, Home-Start, and Lakelands Hospice.
Through these efforts, Leanne hopes to contribute in a meaningful way to the wellbeing of the community that has supported their journey. She believes that when businesses give back, they help create stronger and more connected communities.
Looking toward the future, Leanne remains focused on continuing to grow Stuart Charles Estate Agents while staying true to the values that shaped its creation. She wants the company to keep innovating, expanding its services, and building lasting relationships with clients.
For Leanne, success is not measured only by business growth or awards. It is defined by the positive impact the company has on the people it serves. By ensuring that clients feel valued, supported, and cared for, she believes that everyone involved benefits.
This belief continues to guide everything she does. At the heart of Stuart Charles Estate Agents is a simple philosophy that has shaped its journey from the beginning – when people come first, meaningful success naturally follows.
“Estate agency is not just about property – it is about people and their life journeys.”