Stanley Strategic Consultants LLP
About Us
The Partners
Karen Stanley LLB. (Hons.) FARLA, a Solicitor (Non practising), worked primarily in civil litigation before joining the family firm of specialist Letting Agents, with husband James Stanley, in the Southeast of England. Karen has been responsible for the last 26 years for the legal compliance, contract writing, training and implementation of systems, procedures and laws in the firm.
Her constant and regular attendance for legal training, to not only keep up with the now 170 laws and 400 regulations relating to residential property but also to prepare for the future requirements of lettings businesses has ensured the business is award winning and used an insightful approach.
Karen has passed the Propertymark Level 4 Certificate in Property Agency Management and now also works with Propertymark Qualifications writing and examining on that course.
James Stanley LLB. (Hons.) also a lawyer who specialised in property sales before joining the family firm and for 30 years went onto manage the offices, implement procedures, inspecting and processing the client account. Gained an in-depth understanding of practical issues facing firms and how to mitigate risks and maximise returns.
They successfully ran an Independent Letting Agency business covering East and West Sussex together with a high net profit ratio and very low rent arrears, helping grow, develop and shape the business in the ever-changing landscape of the Letting Industry over the businesses 48 years history.
Specialists in Due diligence and Compliance
Regular compliance checks of the business and the property portfolio are needed no matter the size of the business. Whether you have 1 member of staff or 100 the need for systems and procedures to run a compliant lettings business are essentially the same, the complexity may be a little different.
If you are looking to grow, merge or sell ,what you do and how you do it on a daily basis matters. If you have an issue with compliance in one area, which is replicated, your business could be in jeapardy.
We work closely with independent directors and corporate agencies alike — people making careful decisions about the future of their business. Some are preparing for a change. Others want to strengthen what they’ve built. Every agency is different, but the need for clarity, protection and value is constant.
We’ve been through the process ourselves. When we sold our own agency to a leading corporate — one known for its rigorous due diligence — we anticipated the questions, the documents, the scrutiny. Every team involved, from their legal advisers to their acquisition managers, fed back how well-prepared we were. That preparation protected the sale price and built the buyer’s confidence from day one.
That experience matters. It means we understand exactly what’s ahead — the volume of questions, the detail required, and how exposing the process can feel. We support other agency owners through this calmly and practically, helping you stay in control and make informed decisions all the way to completion.
At Stanley Strategic Consultants, we offer quiet, discreet support. We focus on reducing risk, improving compliance, and increasing business value — all while respecting the way you like to work. Whether you’re thinking ahead or facing issues right now, we’re here to help you make confident, informed decisions.
Confidentiality
With over 27 years of industry experience, we understand the pressures you face: rising regulation, escalating costs, and the constant demand to do more with less. We also understand that many directors/owners want to explore their options discreetly — without alerting staff, competitors, or clients.
If you are considering selling your business, keep in mind that the process can take months before the sale is finalised and the employees and clients are informed. Discretion and confidentiality are essential during the pre-sale stages, during an acquisition and during compliance review checks.
Stanley Strategic Consultancy never divulge confidential information to anyone outside of the firm. You can be sure that information obtained about our client’s business operations or work within the industry is kept strictly confidential.
The Partners
Karen Stanley LLB. (Hons.) FARLA
Karen Stanley LLB. (Hons.) FARLA
Karen Stanley LLB. (Hons.) FARLA
Loves to sing
James Stanley LLB. (Hons.)
Karen Stanley LLB. (Hons.) FARLA
Karen Stanley LLB. (Hons.) FARLA
Loves to spend time in the great outdoors
recommendations
Recommended by Adam and Julie
"Continuing to run your business, whilst trying to sell it and keep this confidential from staff is extremely demanding. Most sellers are shocked by how much is requested from them when they enter the Due Diligence part of the sale.
We at Adam J Walker were extremely impressed that Karen and James were so well prepared for their sale. Th
"Continuing to run your business, whilst trying to sell it and keep this confidential from staff is extremely demanding. Most sellers are shocked by how much is requested from them when they enter the Due Diligence part of the sale.
We at Adam J Walker were extremely impressed that Karen and James were so well prepared for their sale. They had plenty of systems in place which meant that their Due Diligence was as straight forward as the process could be.
If you would like assistance with preparing your business for the market, or assistance with the Due Diligence, we are sure that Karen and James could help you. Because they have been through the process themselves and have a complete understanding of it. they will be able to explain what and why the information is needed and assist you accessing it and uploading it.
If you want practical help and assistance with this part of the process, or preparing for it, why not give them a call.”
Julie Drake of Adam J Walker Associates.co.uk
