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Kelsie Inglis.

Kelsie Inglis.

Business & HR Coordinator

Background and Experience.

Kelsie is GFW’s Business & HR Coordinator, providing essential support across the firm and ensuring the smooth running of day‑to‑day operations.

She joined GFW in July 2022 as a Business Administration Assistant, where she supported the wider Business Support Team across Finance, Marketing, HR and Operations. Her proactive approach and ability to work seamlessly across departments quickly made her a valued and trusted member of the team.

An integral part of both Business Support and the broader GFW team, Kelsie is responsible for coordinating HR processes, supporting internal communications, assisting with recruitment activity, and helping maintain consistent business operations. She plays a key role in keeping systems running effectively and ensuring colleagues have the support they need.

Kelsie is committed to creating a positive, inclusive workplace and takes pride in supporting colleagues across the organisation.

David Davies.

Partner

Background and Experience.

A chartered member of both the Royal Institute of British Architects and Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland, David has over 20 years of experience in Architectural practice. He has worked from studios across the UK, and in Australia, and has undertaken project work that ranges from Hospitals in North America, to Railway Stations in the Middle East.

A significant focus of David’s work has been contributing to, and leading large technically demanding projects, requiring a committed approach to working closely and collaboratively alongside multi-disciplinary design teams. Positive experiences of heading up the Architectural Team on two rail infrastructure projects from a multi-disciplinary project office ignited a passion for practicing grom an interdisciplinary studio; eventually leading to David’s move to join GFW’s Planning, Architecture and Development Team in Spring 2024.

David’s aptitude to work across a project Team transcends purely Architectural commissions; he frequently applies his problem solving skills and ability to work so productively with others to a broad facet of consultancy and advisory work across the built environment.

Qualifications.

  • BA (Hons) Architecture

  • PG Dip Architecture

  • Master of Architecture

  • PG Certificate in Research

  • RIBA (Royal Institute of British Architects)

  • RIAS (Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland)

  • ARB (Architects Registration Board)

Key Skills.

David is a firm advocate that the most successful projects are grounded by a robust, well-considered masterplan. Much of his project work starts with a masterplanning role; exploring the opportunities and constraints of a project in order to appraise options and promote the best outcome for the site, and the client. As projects have matured David has been afforded the opportunity to deliver built projects from the masterplans he has authored, as well as supporting others to build-out their own buildings when acting as strategic masterplanning lead across sites being taken forward by multiple parties.

Throughout his career David has championed BIM as a key tool to develop and test design proposals. In the mid 2010’s alongside a committed teams of Engineers and other Architects, David prepared very advanced and complex models to ensure the ongoing design work for two very large deep-underground rail infrastructure projects was fully coordinated. Time spent in this BIM Level 4 environment and the ultimate production of well-resolved, well-coordinated design work that optimises the performance of the building, reduces waste during construction, and produces a safer more efficient building both during and post-construction affirmed a career long approach of embracing the tools of changing technology, coupled with a commitment of not working in a vacuum and being forthcoming in collaboration other professionals.

Substantial experience of working with institutional clients from the public sector, and large private sector consultancies means that David is very familiar with the requirements of navigating projects through their journey in a process-driven manner. He has taken an active role in Quality and Environmental Management systems in previous roles and at GFW is supporting the board to set up and implement new systems and procedures across the business.

David leads on the GFW tendering and bidding work; managing a database of the business

Key Projects.

  • Ferndene, Prudhoe, Northumberland.

    £27m new-build Health, Education and Therapy facility to provide residential care for Children and Young People aged 8-18 with severe Mental Health illnesses and Learning Disabilities.

    RIBA Stages 1-7

    Over a period of three years, David was a key member of the Architectural team taking the project from its initial briefing and inception, through stakeholder engagement, the design stages, gaining consents, procurement and overseeing construction and handover on site. After the project had been operational for some time there was an opportunity to undertake some post-occupancy evaluation which proved to be valuable as the project has been recognised internationally as an exemplar in design for Mental Health and Learning Disabilities for Children and Young People.

  • Hopewood Park, Sunderland.

    £38m new-build Health Campus including FM, Estates, Training and Education facilities. The site serves as a southern regional Hub for core clinical and support services for the CNTW NHS Foundation Trust.

    RIBA Stages 1-6

    David was the project architect, managing a large team of architects and designers from offices in London and Newcastle who were preparing design and technical information for a large campus of Hospital and Health Buildings. During the construction phase David was the principal point of contact for the Main Contractor and was responsible for overseeing all site inspection and site coordination.

  • Station 2B4 and 1C4, Riyach Metro, Saudi Arabia.

    $620m.

    Alongside Engineering consultant Arup, David lead a seconded-team of eight Architects who undertook the Architectural design development work for two deep underground railway stations (and associated service and ancillary buildings) over a period of 3+ years. Working from a multi-disciplinary project office, the BIM Level 4 projects used Autodesk Revit software to generate in excess of over 500 drawings, schedules and specifications for the large buildings. The new stations were stitched into the existing fabric of the city, including being constructed underneath existing 10 lane highways (which remained operational during construction thanks to temporary works supporting a traffic deck) and were built to connect into existing buildings (including an underground connection to a shopping mall beneath Riyadh’s tallest building.  

  • OME, Newcastle University.

    £1.5m. University research facility, laboratory, teaching and exhibition space.

    One of a number of Higher Education sector projects, delivered as part of the North East Universities Procurement Consortium, OME is a ground-breaking innovative building commissioned for the school of Architecture to act as a living laboratory for developing and testing prototypes of new building materials and construction technologies. The project was designed entirely through the COVID pandemic requiring an agile approach to client and stakeholder design development workshops. The scheme was delivered in the heart of the live University campus, in a phased manner to a very demanding programme to meet funding requirements and to fit around the logistical demands of the Universities operational and academic timetable.

  • The Stables, Whitby, North Yorkshire.

    £6m. Hotel and Restaurant.

    The project involved the refurbishment and repair of two listed buildings, a number of other former agricultural buildings and external landscapes, alongside two new-build buildings in order to expand an existing hotel and restaurant from 8 to 38 bedrooms. The project required extensive dialogue and negotiation with the Planning Conservation officer to balance the clients commercial aspirations for the site against the retention, preservation and future care of historic assets that had been badly neglected by previous owners. In addition to being lead Architect and lead Consultant,  David undertook the role of Principal Designer on the scheme and was responsible for managing and overseeing the Health and Safety during the pre-construction phases of the project.

  • AirView Park, Newcastle International Airport.

    £10m. Offices and Employment site.

    Strategic masterplan, planning consent. Site-wide masterplanning lead and interface with Bellway (and their project team) for the development of their HQ as well as detailed design and on-site delivery of new Category A commercial office buildings, site-wide infrastructure and external landscape works.

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Rhys Jones.

Partner

Background and Experience.

Rhys is a Chartered Surveyor and Registered Valuer who works within the Development team from our Newcastle office.

Rhys joined the firm in 2018 and works as a development surveyor. He provides specialist development consultancy on matters including agency, strategic land, valuations, title defects, and the release of mines and minerals reservations.

Qualifications.

  • MRICS – Member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors
  • VRS Registered Valuer

  • Key Skills.

    Development Agency

    Leads the development agency team and represents landowners from Yorkshire to the Scottish Borders on the sale of land to both regional and national housebuilders.

    Provides expert development agency advice on sites ranging in size from self-build plots to new settlements and has been involved in over 2,000 plot sales in the last two years.

  • Key Skills.

    Strategic Land

    Proven track record of identifying strategic land and working with landowners through the planning and development process to point of sale.

    Experienced with development agreements including Option Agreements, Promotion Agreements, Joint Ventures, and Conditional Contracts.

  • Key Skills.

    Valuations

    RICS VRS Registered Valuer and undertakes valuations for all purposes including secured lending, legislation and tax. He is experienced in valuing all types of developments including complex development sites with large scale phasing and equalisation.

  • Key Skills.

    Feasibility and Viability Appraisal

    Provides consultancy advice on feasibility and viability appraisals.

    He has robust understanding of the application of RICS Financial Viability in planning and NPPG viability.

  • Key Skills.

    Restrictive Covenants, Overage Advice and Title Reviews

    Preparation of specialist valuations under section 82 of the Law of Property Act 1925 and overage calculations. Provides advice on valuation clauses within overage agreements.

  • Key Skills.

    Mines and Minerals

    Proven track record of negotiating the release of mines and minerals reservations which impede on development.

    Works closely with his clients to give consultancy on the strength of the reservation and advice on whether the mineral owners have a claim to loss or trespass.

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Carolyn Milburn.

Partner

Background and Experience.

An experienced Rural Practice Chartered Surveyor specialising in the management of rural estates of all sizes and Almshouses. Carolyn also deals with compulsory purchase matters and landlord and tenant negotiations including letting farms and land

Carolyn joined GFW in 2004 and has established excellent relationships with retained clients. She works with individual landowners as well as charities, developers and investors.

Carolyn’s particular expertise is that of Agent for Rural Estates of all sizes and a variety of owners. She manages land and property assets, which includes appraising development opportunities, reviewing and managing budgets and identifying new ideas for maximising the value of those Estates. She manages a broad spectrum of property including farms, land, single dwellings, Almshouses and rural based commercial properties.

Qualifications.

  • FRICS – Fellow of the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors
  • BSc (Hons) Rural Enterprise and Land Management
  • HNC Business & Finance with Marketing & Personnel Management
  • RICS Certificate in Financial Management.

  • Key Skills.

    Developing and maintaining excellent long-term relationships with Estate Owners and Estate tenants.

    Analyse and review return on assets to identify where necessary disposal of non-profitable assets to enable clients to invest elsewhere in sectors with enhanced returns, or improved prospects.

    Refurbishment and development of Almshouses and obtaining Homes England Grant Funding for those projects.

    Working with the Forestry Commission (felling licences/management of woodland) and timber merchants (sale of timber on behalf of clients) and contractors (tree planting and tree felling).

    Letting and management of sporting rights (shooting and fishing).

  • Key Skills.

    Work with the Firm’s Sales Agency in the disposal of property assets (including the modern method of auction).

    Within the Estate Management role Carolyn looks to optimise performance of the assets by: careful oversight and control of outgoings and income; ensuring the timely repair, maintenance and restoration of all buildings and other features; the regular review and revision of all tenancy and other agreements; the undertaking of regular inspections and

    assessments of condition of all assets; ensuring all aspects of the asset base are utilised to their full capacity; and, reviewing opportunities to acquire or dispose of assets. She analyses the extent and condition of Rural Assets including all buildings, paths, byways, designated highways, woodland, watercourses and historic and listed features; by identifying boundaries and any encroachments, assess and record condition; confirm and record all easements, wayleaves and similar rights, to establish a record of the Estate. She determines the optimum return available to the Client from the available assets to take advantage of fluctuating market conditions.

  • Key Skills.

    On behalf of retained and private clients Carolyn acts in respect of compulsory purchase work including that with, Local Authorities, Water Boards, Electricity Companies, National Highways, Gas Board, Coal Authority, Environment Agency and Network Rail.

    In conjunction with leading Investment Managers, she endeavours to maximise returns from invested capital over pre-determined timescales, in accordance with the client’s objectives over the short, medium and long terms. She ensures the Estate and its operation comply with all present and projected regulatory controls thus minimising potential liabilities; manage the operations of the Estate to deliver, over the projected timescales, the maximum projected return whilst ensuring sufficient flexibility to enable advantage to be taken of unexpected beneficial opportunities. Prepare, and regularly review, both strategic and tactical overviews of potential adverse scenarios including response planning to potential ‘black-swan’ events.

    Such management includes coordinating via a single point of contact the input of both in-house and external consultants including design, planning, land-registration, taxation, inheritance planning, agronomy, and accountancy. In consequence clients are assured their assets are generating the optimum possible return and will continue to do so in line with their objectives for long term stability and security.

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Donna Cheney.

Partner

Background and Experience.

Donna has over 20 years experience in the property industry. Starting off as a Lettings Negotiator for a national agent, Donna progressed to Branch Manager level in less than three years. She gained a wealth of knowledge in this position, including residential property management, residential valuing, team management and lettings compliance.

Donna joined GFW in 2016, initially managing 2 lettings offices. She has since progressed to become a salaried partner, and now oversees the Property Management team, and on a day to day basis deals with the growing block management division of the business.

Donna provides a personal and efficient service to clients, quickly understanding their issues and able to tailor solutions to suit them.

Qualifications.

  • Qualifications- BSc (Hons) Politics, University of Newcastle
  • MARLA- Member of the Association of Residential Letting Agents (Propertymark)

Key Skills.

Significant experience in all aspects of residential property management, from large apartment blocks to small rural properties.

Donna is a natural organiser, and excels in implementing systems and processes that allow the team to work as efficiently as possible on behalf of landlords, tenants and leaseholders.

A proactive and professional approach engenders client loyalty to the business. Donna is frequently praised by clients for her ability to swiftly deliver results on day to day issues, and larger scale projects.

An ability to manage a diverse and time pressured workload means that Donna can deliver excellent customer service no matter the size of the development involved.

Lorna White.

Partner

Background and Experience.

Lorna manages the residential lettings teams across the business. Covering a large area from the Scottish Borders down to Yorkshire, Lorna oversees all aspects of the residential lettings services and is based in Northumberland where she has built up a successful portfolio of properties.

Working with our teams to ensure that our clients get the best rental price for their property, are up to date with all of the latest legislation requirements and where appropriate provide assistance with project management from redecoration to larger renovations and refurbishments.

Lindsay French.

Partner

Background and Experience.

Lindsay joined GFW in 2013, having worked within a sales and lettings background for independent and corporate agents since 2007.

She has worked within urban and rural economies and is a competent, well organised individual with extensive skills and experience within estate agency.

Lindsay is based in Durham but leads the sales teams across the North East and Yorkshire, providing market appraisals for a wide range of property including land and farm and small
development projects. When meeting clients for jobs, Lindsay’s in depth knowledge of the property market and local area, allows
her to advise her clients on how to maximise the value of their home and her broad expertise to problem solve.

  • Key Skills.

    Valuation of Property for Sale and Let

    Able to confidently provide free market appraisals on a wide variety of property throughout all price’s brackets, with methods of disposal including private treaty, auction, sealed bids and best and final. Preparing particulars, property photography for marketing and ensuring compliance with legislation.

  • Key Skills.

    Farm Agency

    Extensive knowledge of farm agency, working closely alongside our rural and farm teams, on the sale of land and farms throughout the business, acting as a farm agency lead. Lindsay handles sales of small parcels of land to large commercial farms.

  • Key Skills.

    New Build / Development Projects

    Broad knowledge of singular building plots and small development sites, able to provide market appraisals for the sale of plots and with her expert local knowledge advise on market demand while working closely with our planning and architecture teams.

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David Wilson.

Operations Manager

Background.

David was born and raised in North Northumberland and lives with his family close to Alnwick.

Working as part of the wider Business Support Team David helps ensure the business operations are constantly reviewed and developed to meet the growing needs of the business.

He applies a logical and methodical mindset to projects, his flexible approach and ability to draw on and apply his wide-ranging experience positions him perfectly to assist GFW as it continues to develop and grow as a business.

Experience.

David is the Operations Manager for GFW undertaking a wide-ranging roll encompassing business asset management, compliance as well as working within the Business Support Team on key projects.

David joined GFW as an apprentice in 1990 working within the agency department across the residential, agricultural, and commercial sectors but in time also turning his hand to IT support, land surveying/mapping and marketing.

Part of a team who in 2003 oversaw the first rebrand of the business, since it was launched in 1979, David was invited to form the businesses marketing team and led this for a period helping the business develop and maintain a professional approach to its brand and event management.

In 2022 he led the project to relocate our Newcastle team to our current offices on Dean Street and went on to open offices in Hexham and Durham, with the latter requiring a full fit out of the building, as well as overseeing the refurbishment of the Alnwick office.

Embracing the opportunity David began the transition from a marketing role to Operations Manager in 2023 but still provides support to the marketing team when required. He oversaw the full rebrand from George F. White to GFW during 2024 from concept to application across printed and digital materials as well as physical offices.

Associate Rural Surveyor.

Background and Experience.

Helen works within the Rural team, based in the Barnard Castle office. A Chartered Rural Surveyor and a Registered Valuer her core work includes providing valuations for a range of purposes, as well as providing advice in respect of compulsory purchase matters. Helen also provides advice in respect of landlord and tenant matters, including telecom negotiations.

Qualifications.

  • MRICS (Member Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors)
  • RICS Registered Valuer
  • BSC (Hons) Real Estate

Key Skills.

  • Valuation.

    Helen carries out valuation work for a range of purposes including, Taxation, Secured Lending, Restructuring Purposes, Strategic Business Management and Matrimonial. A core part of Helen’s valuation work is Probate Valuation for Rural estates, including agricultural and business property relief eligibility.

  • Sales and Acquisitions.

    A member of the GFW Rural Sales and Acquisitions team, predominantly covering the North East and Yorkshire area. Helen’s background and upbringing on a working livestock farm combined with her professional experience positions her well to provide rural property agency advice, including the formation and execution of effective marketing strategies.

  • Compulsory Purchase Orders & Development Consent Orders.

    Helen is involved in all Compulsory Purchase matters, from agreeing easements to large scale Development Consent Orders. A large portfolio of Helens work involves providing advice on Options, General Vesting Declarations, Heads of Claim and Disturbance issues.

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