Our Story

Black Dog Property Development Ltd was created by our three founding directors; Sam, Dean and John Paul. Fresh from some serious lockdown soul-searching, a strong desire to chnge our futures and a shared passion for property, the decision was made to navigate this path as a trio.

We have a shared objective of delivering exceptional spaces, that we are proud to put the Black Dog name to. We pride ourselves in our diligent approach, our transparency and simply doing what we say we will. This ultimately ensures we are able to deliver, while we aim to provide quality over quantity at every turn.

Our combined property journey includes professional, accredited training, business planning and systemisation as well as on-going mentorship programmes. Continuously improving ourselves, our brand and our business processes.

Our investors benefit from great returns and our ‘power team’ help us deliver outstanding quality end products. If you would like to know more about anything we do here at Black Dog, or would love to be part of it, you can organise a call with one of our directors.

For regular progress reports, photos and project updates, you can follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram and TikTok.

We are three driven individuals from the north of England that have found our passion. We want more than the 9-5 and have decided to do something about it. We endeavour to improve the property industry by creating exceptional spaces whilst being fair, open and responsible in both our approach and our duty to our tenants.

Our vision

To improve the property industry by helping properties realise their full potential, while delivering an end product that we are proud to put the Black Dog name to.

Our Directors

Dean Ellis

Having recently left the forces following 12 years service within the Royal Engineers, Dean is now employed as Consultant Project Manager. While bringing this military experience to the Black Dog business, he also possesses the APM (PMQ), PRINCE2 Practitioner and multiple NEBOSH qualifications. This breadth of knowledge allows for a full appreciation of project lifecycles, as well as a clear understanding of health and safety legislation.

A husband, father and dogfather (x2), he possesses additional residential experience from previous endeavours and brings these valuable lessons to our business. Away from business interests, Dean is a keen footballer and a long suffering Newcastle United fan.

John Paul Hipkin

JP comes from a background in planning, with key a focus on project planning, management and delivery. Past roles have allowed him to specialise in data capture, monitoring and management, recognising its importance to strategising and in project delivery. With a keen interest in business development and systemisation, he is now applying these skills to his long-time held passion of property development.

Outside of work, JP is a keen traveller - being fortunate enough to see many parts of the world and also recently completing an ironman triathlon. He brings that level of determination to all aspects of the business and for his sins, is an avid Newcastle United fan.

Sam Atkinson

A serving soldier of over 8 years in the Royal Engineers, Sam combines a wealth of military engineering experience and strong values with a passion for property development and all things business. As a qualified joiner with considerable experience of property refurbishments, Sam is very much a ‘hands on’ person and possesses a great deal of knowledge and skills that are utilised in all aspects of the Black Dog refurbishment process.

Sam currently resides in Carlisle with his fiancé, Phoebe, and 2 small dogs, Mo and Bobby. A very talented sportsman, Sam has represented the armed forces at the highest level possible and also enjoys playing golf in his spare time.
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