At the age of 19 he was running his own overseas property business and now the young entrepreneur turned highly motivated businessman has just realised a personal ambition: opening up a new agency in Norwich’s high profile Golden Triangle.

 But there’s a reason for living life in the fast lane because Norfolk born and bred Charlie, 25, knows his biggest ever challenge lies ahead in the near future.

Charlie, whose parents live in Surlingham, suffers from PSC, primary sclerosing cholangitis, a chronic liver disease caused by the inflammation and scarring of the bile ducts.

The disease means he will need a liver transplant and it forces him at times to slow down and take it easy.

And the one thing he really can’t do, not even to celebrate the opening of his new agency on Unthank Road, is to crack open a bottle of champagne because he is not allowed to drink any alcohol.

“It was when I was in my first year at Brighton university that I got really ill,” said Charlie. “I was
doing business and law and couldn’t finish the course and had to go
back home.

“It’s a progressive illness and I am on medication. At the last appointment, I was told I would need a transplant in about three-five years’ time – which is difficult to come to terms with but you just have to get on with it.”

In fact, it was the illness and returning home from university which ended in Charlie helping run his parents’ villa in Portugal.

This resulted in him forming Albatross Villas, which has gone from strength to strength, and his business acumen saw him pick up a young entrepreneur award at the EDP Business Awards in 2009. Now, after three years in planning, he has opened his new estate agency, Websters, with his wife Emma.

The former Norwich & Peterborough building society office has been transformed into a dynamic looking agency in navy blue and grey with a huge magnetic map on the wall.

And, although based in the Golden Triangle, Charlie hopes to attract properties from around the city and county, aiming for between 20-30 properties on the books.

His passion for property, enthusiasm and drive really comes across and in the first week of opening, he took on one house a day. With such a zest for life and determination to overcome all odds, Charlie Webster is all set to make his mark on the local property scene.

Charlie Webster can be contacted at Websters, 141, Unthank Road, Norwich on 01603 670646.