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Describe what you do in one sentence?
I provide strategic valuation advice on specialist and commercial equestrian properties
Give a brief overview of your career to date.
I grew up in rural Cumbria and from an early age I knew I was happiest in the countryside, so finding a profession which enabled me to combine earning a living with a way of life that suited me was a priority.
During a school holiday I did some work experience at a firm of rural chartered surveyors based in Carlisle. This encouraged me to apply to Harper Adams University to study Rural Enterprise and Land Management. On graduation I joined a rural general practice firm of surveyors based in South Oxfordshire where I picked up a broad range of experience early on in my career.
In 2022 I joined Savills as a member of the rural valuation team and I’m based in the head office in London. Perhaps because horses have always been a huge part of my life I quickly identified there was scope to develop a valuation specialism for equestrian properties. It all began with an instruction to value a riding school near to London, followed closely by an instruction to value a show jumping yard in Essex, where I really caught the bug to carry out more equine related work.
This now accounts for about 50% of my work (the other 50% being farms and estates) and takes me all over the country and to all types of equestrian property, from a professional yard where stables and acreage are the key feature, to gallops for horse racing entities.
Each equestrian property has its own unique characteristics and the experience I have acquired has given me a good eye for spotting ways to utilise value. Whether an equestrian property is a passion project or the premises of a commercially run business, the one thing in common equestrian properties have, is the hard work and dedication that goes into their running. For me, one of the best parts of the job is meeting so many interesting clients and it’s a bonus if I get to meet their horses too.
A recent highlight was being involved in the valuation of a worldwide property portfolio with a substantial emphasis on equestrian assets. It was quite a logistical challenge co-ordinating all the valuations within a tight timescale, whilst also tackling international time differences.
My work falls into two main categories; approximately three quarters is Red Book Valuations – a formal valuation for bank lending, annual accounts, taxation, succession and other family related matters; with the remainder being property consultancy such as advice on rent reviews. It’s fair to say no two days are the same and the clients and their properties are hugely varied.
Outside of work?
I am a horse racing fanatic and during the winter I volunteer as a Point to Point steward. When I can, I take part in some unaffiliated events and enjoy hacking around the farm on my horse – it’s definitely the best way to relax. Around five years ago, I learnt to ride side saddle and this is something I will definitely be focusing on more this summer. I am extremely lucky to have been brought up with horses and as the saying goes, I live and breathe them.