24 local life FERENC TILL Co-founder of Altitude Immobilier, Ferenc Till is now its owner and director. Let's meet the leader who is understandably proud of his agency's 20year anniversary. MR. TILL, CAN YOU INTRODUCE YOURSELF FOR THOSE WHO DON'T KNOW YOU YET? I was born in Budapest. I arrived in Switzerland at the age of 22 with the desire to complete my education. Since I had family in Valais, I came here in 1989 and then decided to stay in this region. WHAT WAS YOUR ACADEMIC BACKGROUND? I took courses at the Théler School in Sion to better master my French. Besides my native language, Hungarian, I speak English, German, and Italian. Later, I obtained a diploma in commercial secretarial studies. Then, I attended the Tourism School of Sierre. HOW DID YOUR PROFESSIONAL LIFE BEGIN? I first worked in the hospitality sector before moving into marketing. Real estate came afterwards. WHAT BROUGHT YOU TO SETTLE IN THE HAUT-PLATEAU? I started working in real estate. After a few years, I founded my first company with a partner, Manuel Espejo, who was my associate till 2013. Our offices were above the current Gerber restaurant. We stayed there from 2004 to 2007. WHAT DID ALTITUDE IMMOBILIER DO AT THE BEGINNING? We started by selling properties. We soon added rental and property management to our activities. Over the years, we began offering several other services, such as domiciliation and Family Office. DID YOU THEN MOVE TO YOUR CURRENT PREMISES? Yes in 2007. We have moved to the centre of Crans. BUT WHY DID YOU ULTIMATELY CHOOSE CRANS-MONTANA AND NOT ZURICH OR DUBAI FOR YOUR BUSINESS? The answer is simple: my wife is a "pure Valaisan!" As for me, I could have easily practised real estate in one of the cities you mentioned. For her, however, she found it unimaginable to settle elsewhere. WHAT STANDS OUT WHEN ACCOMPANYING YOU AROUND THE RESORT IS THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE YOU KNOW. HOW DID THAT HAPPEN? I don't just manage my agency in Crans-Montana. I have been very involved in the real estate sector at the regional level. Since 2011, I have been a member of the committee of the Valais Real Estate Chamber and I’mmember of USPI. DO YOU HOLD ANY POSITIONS OUTSIDE OF YOUR FIELD? Indeed. In particular, I am a member of the Rotary Club of Crans-Montana. I had the honour of being its President from 2017 to 2018. I’m also Assistant Governor of the Rotary District 1990. Additionally, I’m President of the Crans-Montana Arts and Crafts Association. DO YOU HAVE ANY TIME LEFT FOR HOBBIES? Yes. I practised kickboxing for a long time. But I gradually gave up sports to devote myself to music, which is my other passion. I also love traveling.
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