Team Members Archive

Senior Associate.

Background and Experience.

James has extensive knowledge and experience within the Built Environment, both in residential and commercial sectors. As a Chartered Building Surveyor, James has acted for a range of clients from private individuals to international organizations.

An aerial image including a CGI augmentation depicting a residential development scheme

Qualifications.

MRICS – Member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors

Drone image of Alnwick town centre and including Alnwick Castle

Key Skills.

James is skilled in a broad spectrum of roles under the Building Surveying label. Calling on his knowledge, he is able to act on a number of services and exercises additional specialist skills (software and drone work) on many instructions.

He provides:

Residential Building Surveys (Level 2 and 3)
Commercial Technical Due Diligence Surveys
Project and Development Monitoring
Project Management
Dilapidations
Schedules of Condition
Drone Surveys
Refurbishment/Extension Design and Tendering
Contract Administration
Measured Surveys
Insurance Reinstatement Cost Assessments
Construction (Design and Management) regulations 2015
Planned Preventive Maintenance
Party Wall etc. Act 1996
Environment and Legal Issues (Housing Disrepair etc)
Defect letter / Snagging Surveys / Targeted Surveys

Partner.

Elevation drawings of a modern residential property

Background and Experience.

Originally from the Wirral, Mark spent nearly two decades living and working in Edinburgh before relocating to the North East, where he is now based in Tynemouth. His career has spanned both England and Scotland, giving him a strong understanding of differing planning environments, local authority structures, political influences and the commercial drivers behind development.

This broad geographic experience enables Mark to provide balanced, practical advice informed by both regional insight and a wider market perspective. Having established strong roots in the North East, he is known for a pragmatic, collaborative approach and a focus on achieving successful outcomes for clients.

Qualifications.

MRTPI – Chartered Member of the Royal Town Planning Institute

Key Skills.

Strategic leadership

Proven ability to lead planning services, shape organisational change and deliver high performance teams.
Expert planning judgement

Deep knowledge of planning legislation development management, appeals and major applications.
Negotiation & stakeholder management

Strong track record of securing outcomes with clients, developers, councillors, and planning authorities.
Analytical problem solving

Logical thinker able to untangle complex planning issues, policy, and organisational challenges.
Project & contract management

Skilled in managing multi-disciplinary projects, resilience contracts, financial reporting, and quality assurance.
Communication & engagement

Confident presenter at committees, public consultations, examinations, and stakeholder forums.

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Senior Associate.

Background and Experience.

With over 25 years of experience, Peter is a RIBA qualified Conservation Architect with extensive experience of carrying out works on a variety of listed buildings, including those of national importance. Based in our Newcastle Office, Peter covers projects through-out the North of England.

CGI render of a section drawing of a residential building

Qualifications.

RIBA (Royal Institute of British Architects) – Chartered Member
RIAS (Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland) – Chartered Member
ARB (Architects Registration Board)
Conservation Architect – Awarded by RIBA Board

CGI render of a residential development scheme

Key Skills.

Peter specialises in works to Heritage Assets, including Listed Buildings, Designated Heritage Assets and Conservation Areas with a particular focus on Georgian Architecture, Bastle Houses and traditional farm steadings. Peter works with a range of clients, with works ranging from small works (such as the replacement of window glazing) up to more extensive refurbishments and extensions. The scope of works range from initial advice and surveys up to on-site works supervision and contract management.

Senior Associate.

Background and Experience.

Tamsin began her career in 2013 as an Assistant Surveyor at Arch Northumberland while simultaneously studying for a part‑time Real Estate BSc (Hons) at Northumbria University, successfully balancing full‑time employment with academic study.

She has since gained extensive commercial property management experience across several leading North East firms, including Sanderson Weatherall, Naylors, and Bradley Hall. With a strong specialism in service charge budgeting and multi‑site management, Tamsin has managed diverse portfolios ranging from industrial estates to large retail and mixed‑use schemes in the North East. She achieved Chartered Surveyor status in 2022 after completing the RICS APC.

Qualifications.

MRICS – Member of Royal Institution
of Chartered Surveyors
BSc (Hons) Real Estate

Key Skills.

Property Management
- Over a decade of experience in commercial property management across industrial, retail, office, and mixed‑use assets.
- Skilled in preparing, managing, and reconciling complex service charge budgets and maintaining compliance with RICS guidelines.
- Proven ability to oversee day‑to‑day operations, contractor management, H&S compliance, lease obligations, and tenant relationships.
- Experience managing high‑profile city centre assets and large multi-let schemes.
Landlord and Tenant
- Experience in lease renewals, rent reviews, and negotiation of lease terms on behalf of landlord clients.
- Strong understanding of landlord and tenant legislation and commercial lease structures.
- Skilled at liaising with tenants, solicitors, and agents to progress transactions efficiently.

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Partner.

Background and Experience.

Simon is a Chartered Surveyor specialising in commercial property and has worked in the property industry since 2007.

Simon has a broad experience of managing commercial property matters having started his career working in Commercial Agency in the North East before moving client side at Greggs PLC where he spent 15 years as a Senior Property Manager growing and managing the Greggs estate.

Qualifications.

MRICS – Member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors
MSc – Real Estate Management, Northumbria University

Key Skills.

Property Management

Simon has broad experience in property management from many years of acting in-house for a large national occupier. This includes rent collection, service charges, dilapidations claims and landlord and tenant matters.
Strategic Asset Management

Simon has extensive experience on advising on strategic asset management matters including acquisitions, disposals and regears.
Commercial Property Agency

Simon has experience of acting for both landlord and tenants in the acquisition and disposal of both freehold and leasehold properties.

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Associate Rural Surveyor.

Background and Experience.

Heather joined GFW in 2024 having previously worked as a Rural Surveyor in Northumberland for over three years. She grew up on a Cumbrian dairy farm and continues to be actively involved in the farm outside of her work as a Land Agent.

Heather is based in the Newcastle office where she works on a variety of projects for clients throughout northern England.

Qualifications.

MSc Rural Estate Management – Royal Agricultural University
MRICS – Member of the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors
Probationary Member of the Central Association of Agricultural Valuers
BSc Business Management – Liverpool John Moores University

Key Skills.

Energy

Heather plays an active role in renewable energy projects across the Northeast, with a strong emphasis on solar farm development. She provides expert guidance to landowners on leasing land to solar developers, ensuring that each agreement is tailored to the client’s specific objectives, including current agricultural operations, tax considerations, and long-term strategic plans. Recognising the long-term nature of solar leases, Heather takes care to ensure that clients have a comprehensive understanding of how their lease will operate—from the granting of planning permission through to eventual decommissioning.
Estate and Property Management

Extensive experience managing a diverse portfolio of property types, including traditional rural estates as well as residential and commercial assets.
Landlord and Tenant Matters

Comprehensive expertise in the Agricultural Holdings Act and Agricultural Tenancies Act. Heather delivers clear and accurate guidance on landlord and tenant issues, with a particular focus on rent reviews, end-of-tenancy matters, dispute resolution, and succession planning. She also advises on new tenancy and licence agreements for agricultural, residential, and commercial properties, acting on behalf of both landlords and tenants.
Compulsory Purchase & Compensation

Heather represents numerous landowning clients affected by Development Consent Orders (DCOs) and Compulsory Purchase Orders (CPOs). Her responsibilities include responding to statutory notices, negotiating accommodation works, agreeing sales by consent or claims under CPO compensation, and advising on potential reductions in the value of retained assets.

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Associate .

Large wind turbine site in rural location

Background and Experience.

Rob has over ten years of experience in the renewable energy and low carbon industry. Based in our Newcastle office, he services clients across the north of England, helping landowners, businesses and developers unlock opportunities within the clean energy sector.

A solar farm set up within a rural location

Qualifications.

Non-Domestic Energy Assessment (NDEA)

Key Skills.

Energy

Rob is an energy and renewables specialist with extensive experience across wind, solar, and other renewable technologies. He supports both landowners, and investors on a range of projects within the clean energy sector, involved in all stages from initial feasibility to managing operational assets.

Rob provides consultancy advice to a wide range of clients within both the rural and commercial sectors. His expertise includes option and lease negotiations, project management, energy efficiency and carbon reduction, along with strong technical knowledge of renewable energy generation.

Robyn Peat.

Chairman

Background and Experience.

As Chairman, Robyn provides support to the Equity Partners whilst providing a range of land, property and business professional advice across the North East.

Qualifications.

FRICS Fellow of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors
RICS Registered Valuer
Member of RICS Arbitrators Panel
Member of RICS Expert Panel
Member of CAAV Panel of Arbitrators
Member of RICS ADR Panel of CPO and Telecom disputes

Key Skills.

Valuations

Specialist in the valuation of all types of rural and business property assets for a wide range of purposes including taxation, planning and development, acquisition and restructuring purposes. Particular experience in valuing complex property interests.
Key Skills.

Telecoms

Expert in Telecom code agreements and 54 Act renewals by negotiation and at Court / Tribunal. Have acted as Arbitrator and Expert determinations and as Expert Witness in contested applications for landowners including major site owners and infrastructure providers across the UK. A member of the RICS Panel of Telecom Disputes as an evaluative mediator and independent determiner.
Key Skills.

Planning and Development

Expert in identifying potential developments for strategic portfolio acquisitions. Appraises development sites in context of valuation and viability, ranging from small scale agricultural sites to major green belt release and urban infrastructure projects including energy schemes. Negotiates option, promotion and joint venture agreements and complex site assemblies including the impact of reserved minerals.
Key Skills.

Dispute Resolution and Arbitration

An expert in facilitating mediation, a member of the RICS Arbitration Panel and Expert Panel, a member of the CAAV Panel of Arbitrators with a nationwide experience in arbitration in the roles of advocate, expert witness, and arbitrator. Specialist in quantifying value and negotiation of restrictive covenants and claw-back / overage matters. A member of the RICS Panel of Compulsory Purchase Disputes and Telecom Disputes as an evaluative mediator and independent determiner.
Key Skills.

Compulsory Purchase and Compensation

Evaluation and processing of compensation claims as a result of compulsory acquisition for major highway and infrastructure projects, including Betterment and Blight. A member of the RICS Panel of Compulsory Purchase Disputes as an evaluative mediator and independent determiner.
Key Skills.

Landlord / Tenant Matters

Fully conversant with all landlord and tenant legislation with particular emphasis on agricultural tenancies. Effective negotiator and mediator. Recognised for building functional landlord and tenant relationships. Setting up of appropriate legal arrangements that minimises disputes or litigation.
Key Skills.

Estate and Property Management

Wide experience across a diverse range of estate property types including traditional rural estates and commercial, residential and retail portfolios.
Key Skills.

Acquisitions

Experience in identifying and acquiring property for individuals and businesses in the rural, residential and commercial sectors.

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Sally Hart.

Partner

Background.

Sally is one of two Managing Partners, is the Head of Agency & Lettings and is also responsible for overseeing the Business Support Team.

Working closely with the teams across all offices to focus on the development of business strategies Sally ensures that results are aligned to the business development and growth plans.

View over river towards Durham Cathedral

Experience.

Sally has experience across a wide range of business areas including strategic management and marketing.

Joining GFW as the Head of Communications Sally was soon invited to join the board later being promoted to Operations Director.

Sally became an Equity Partner and most recently Joint Managing Partner.

Richard Garland.

Partner

Background and Experience.

Richard is a Chartered Surveyor and Associate Town Planner specialising in the understanding and delivery of value through development projects. He has been with GFW since 2006.

Development valuations and understanding of the planning system are at the core of his work. Richard excels in understanding and explaining complex situations to provide clear advice, having first understood the client’s needs. As a result Richard is currently a trusted advisor for commercial schemes in excess of £30m and residential schemes in excess of £150m.

Qualifications.

FRICS – Fellow of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors
Associate MRTPI Member of the Royal Town Planning Institute
VRS Registered Valuer
RICS Independent Expert Determiner

Key Skills.

Planning and Development

Extensive consultancy experience across the residential, commercial, energy and agricultural sectors at all project stages and scales from planning promotion, feasibility, through consent to construction.

Experienced in project management of EIA and sub EIA planning applications from position of lead consultant as well as dealing with high profile and/or controversial applications, including managing press, public and stakeholders.

Thorough understanding of planning legislation and policy, with a particular emphasis on applying knowledge to an understanding of risk on value of development projects.
Key Skills.

Development Agreements

Significant track record of delivery through a wide variety of development agreements, including Option Agreements, Planning Promotion Agreements, Joint Ventures and Conditional Contracts.

Experienced in sites under multiple ownership through development agreements, including land equalisation and infrastructure delivery and has specialist knowledge of Agricultural Holdings Act Legislation (Case B) interaction with
development projects.
Key Skills.

Valuation

Expertise in development property valuation, including valuation of large and complex sites. Has a robust understanding and application of RICS Red Book Valuation principles and determination of Market Value. Particular specialism in
interpreting specific valuation methodology from development agreements into robust valuation output and overage and restrictive covenant valuations.
Key Skills.

Negotiation

A respected negotiator in all circles, with a track record of significant delivery of results. Adopts a style based on understanding all relevant detail, agreeing a strategy with clients and holding a robust position. Experienced and talented
advocate including arbitration, expert determination and planning determination.
Key Skills.

Expert Witness

Experienced expert witness notably with regard to planning consultancy, development valuations and establishing market value.
Key Skills.

Independent Expert Determiner

Qualified Independent Expert Determiner, handling instructions on a wide range of disputes, with primary area of practice being development valuation, purchase price and Market Value disputes, overages and planning disputes.

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