FirstPort is believed to be the UK's largest property management company and is responsible for at least 196,000 homes and buildings across the UK. 

They are the firm in charge of ensuring Crown Heights is a safe place to live for its residents. 

As recently reported by The Gazette, the building is wrapped in a Grenfell-style covering which, if ignited, could be fatal.  

Currently, residents are footing the bill for a £6,700-a-week 24-hour ‘waking watch’ to ensure there is someone on duty at all times in case a fire breaks out. 

The Gazette understands FirstPort made the decision to pass on the cost of this service to residents.  

Speaking to FirstPort this week as The Gazette revealed the building was unsafe, a spokesperson said: “We understand how difficult the uncertainty is for residents at Crown Heights.

"We have been doing everything possible to support residents in seeking funding to resolve the fire issues, and we are pleased to learn that the building has now been approved as eligible to apply for the Building Safety Fund.

"We are working through the Government’s application process to get to a position where we can proceed with remedial works as soon as possible. We will keep residents updated regularly as the application progresses.

“The health and safety of our residents is our absolute priority. Having taken advice from an external fire engineer, and in consultation with the Hampshire Fire and Rescue service, we will adopt a ‘simultaneous evacuation’ policy in the event of a fire. All residents have been made aware of this and know what to do in case of an emergency.”

When asked by The Gazette when the dangerous cladding would be removed, the firm said that it had no control over when the government’s Building Safety Fund would make the decision – which could be as late as June.

A spokesperson said that it was “really positive” that the building had been confirmed as eligible.

And when asked if they would ensure any excess cost would not be footed by the leaseholders, they were unable to guarantee that innocent residents would not be delivered with a hefty bill.

The Hampshire-based firm, which is registered to New Milton, made headlines in 2018 after it emerged it had written to residents of one of its properties in Croydon asking them to pay to remove the unsafe cladding which surrounded their building.  

A FirstPort spokesman said at the time they were “discharging” their responsibilities under the leasehold agreements and working with residents to find a solution.  

More about FirstPort 

FirstPort employees 2,500 people nationally. By the end of 2018, it turned over £56,393,000.  

It was sold in 2019 to  Equistone Partners Europe. 

FirstPort is one of two businesses owned by investee company Knight Square.

On its website, the firm describes itself as “one of the UK’s most experienced companies”, writing: “It is our vision to be the leading residential property manager, as judged by others, and we put our customers at the heart of everything we do. 

“Our principle activities include managing residential properties across the UK ranging from the common parts of large estates, to blocks of flats, retirement housing and residential lettings.” 

The private company was first incorporated on March 22, 1982. Its current chief executive officer is Nigel Howell. He joined the company in 2013 as the chief financial officer. 

According to their website, Nigel has “led a significant performance turnaround at the company with a clear focus on strategy, customer service, staff engagement, and safety – delivering for customers, clients and investors alike whilst creating a sense of pride amongst colleagues. 

“Nigel has a clear vision of how professional property management aligns to modern lifestyles and benefits residential customers and investors.”  

It goes on to say Nigel has enjoyed a career in senior finance strategy and business development roles at Morrison plc, Shell and British Gas to name a few. 

He is a trustee on the board for Trust for London and is a qualified accountant and member of the Institute of Residential Property Management.  

According to the government’s gender pay gap review, women earn 72p for every £1 that a man works within the business. This means their median hourly wage is 28.5 per cent lower than men’s.