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Kelsie Inglis.

Kelsie Inglis

Kelsie Inglis.

Business & HR Coordinator

Rhys Jones and Sally Cheesbrough within GFW Newcastle office

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.

Robert Hanilton

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.

Carolyn Milburn

Carolyn Milburn.

Partner

Crop field

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.

Glass door with GFW logo applied ajar into a meeting room

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.
  • Close up of field gate
  • Close up of unripen standing crop
  • Individual walking in countryside

  • 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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Peter Elder

Senior Associate.

A dilapidated rural building

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.

Heather Laws

Associate Rural Surveyor.

Rural vehicle following sheep

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.

GFW logo applied to a meeting room wall

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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Donna Cheney

Donna Cheney.

Partner

Modern residential open plan living/kitchen

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.

Glass door with GFW logo applied ajar into a meeting room

Qualifications.

  • Qualifications- BSc (Hons) Politics, University of Newcastle
  • MARLA- Member of the Association of Residential Letting Agents (Propertymark)
A low rise residential apartment block

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.

Lindsay French

Lindsay French.

Partner

Residential lounge

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.

  • GFW Sold board outside residential house
  • Residential lounge

  • 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

David Wilson.

Operations Manager

Glass door with GFW logo applied ajar into a meeting room

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.

Gemma Miller discussing a residential property with client

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.

Helen Bell

Associate Rural Surveyor.

Rural vehicle following sheep

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.

GFW logo applied to a meeting room wall

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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