Meet the team

Liam Gavin, Chairman

Interesting fact: I was one of the first people to have my passport endorsed by customs in the newly formed Democratic Republic of Congo ex Zaire on my way to meet the late President Laurent-Desire Kabila to buy coffee in 1997.
Favourite place: The South West Coast Path. The entire walk (the bits that I have done) is beautiful and dramatic with rounded cliffs, river valleys, small bays, granite headlands and even smugglers coves!

Alan Taylor, Managing Director

Interesting fact: I am number 8 on Google for the phrase ‘London demeanor’.
Favourite place: Man Sands in Brixham. It is only accessible by walking a mile down a track or driving down a narrow, potholed lane. It’s secluded and quiet even in the height of summer. There are dramatic slate cliffs with some caves for the kids to enjoy and the scenery looking back up the valley that runs down to it is wonderful. Best of all, mobile phones don’t work there.

Maggie Sycamore, Accounts and Administration

Interesting fact: The only horse I have ever ridden was a film star! He had been an ‘extra’ in The Lords of the Rings trilogy. I rode him in 2003 at a farm very near Waitomo in New Zealand just before the final part of the film was released.
Favourite place: Coleton Fishacre. One of the most beautiful houses I have ever seen. It was built for Rupert D'Oyly Carte as a ‘holiday home’ in the 1920’s in the Art Deco style. The gardens meander down to the sea and I would love to retire there if I can persuade someone to buy it for me!!

Andy Easton, Property Marketing Manager

Interesting fact: I have cycled up Mount Snowdon (a long time ago...)
Favourite place: Poole Harbour, watching Sunseeker build my new boat!

James Hardy, Online Marketing Manager

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Michelle Roberts, Marketing Executive

Interesting fact: I play the Tenor Saxophone in the Galmpton Jazz Band.
Favourite place: St Ives. Simply because it makes me smile. I love the narrow streets lined with craft shops and galleries, harbour-front restaurants and cafes where you can sit and watch the world go by with a nice glass of Pinot.

Elise Newman, Digital Marketing Executive

Interesting fact: I previously worked full-time with horses competing in 3 Junior National 3-Day-Eventing championships, and later won point-to-point races at Wadebridge and Lifton.
Favourite place: The top of Lewesdon Hill in Dorset. There are no roads to the summit, which can only be accessed on foot making it much quieter than its neighbours of Pilsdon Pen and Lamberts Castle, and it remains totally unspoilt. The top, with its breathtaking views, is the perfect place for a picnic!

Ewan Davy, PR Manager

Interesting fact: I was almost arrested by armed police for trespassing on Royal land; I sank a kayak outside Windsor Castle during the annual Devizes to Westminster canoe race and swam to shore.
Favourite place: Killerton National Trust House, Devon. During the Autumn the gardens are dramatic, in the Summer they are stunning. The grounds have many miles of glorious walks and they are also home to my local cricket club, Broadclyst CC.

Luke McCaughan, Website Administrator

Interesting fact: I was cast as an extra in a Hollywood movie when the crew were filming on location at the statue of liberty and I stumbled onto the set.
Favourite place: Perranporth Beach. On a warm summer’s day I like nothing more than to head to the beach watering hole and sink a few frosty beverages whilst watching people fall off of their surf boards.

Anthony Dodd, Marketing Administrator

Interesting fact: I once sold David Dimbleby some oven gloves, and on the same day met Rick Mayall and Martin Johnson at Dartmouth Regatta!
Favourite place: Lyme Regis, Dorset. When you go out onto The Cobb and take in the sun setting with huge panoramic views all the way around you, it’s the perfect place to be. Dartmouth is a close second, watching the sun rise over the river is almost as spectacular.

Allen Legg, IT and Projects Manager

Interesting fact: After visiting an Australian Jazz bar in downtown Mong Kok (in Hong Kong), I ended up playing a bizarre drinking game with local Chinese. I think there must have been something funny in the beer as I didn’t wake up until 4pm the next day!
Favourite place: Warren House Inn, Postbridge, Devon. This is a great place to end up after a long, hard walk over Dartmoor. Surrounded by fantastic views, this historic building offers a range of tasty, local food.

Jason Clark, Designer

Caron Ward, Bookings and Customer Relations Manager

Interesting fact: I am a keen skier, and have skied a World Cup downhill run in Italy, had a knee operation at the base of the Hahnenkamm in Kitzbuhel, and have skied a mountain in Val Thorens which shares my name…Cime de Caron.
Favourite place: Saddle Tor on Dartmoor. Quieter than the better known Tors, but a fantastic place to escape to, especially on a windy day when you need to blow the cobwebs away!

Jenny Hopper, Bookings Team Leader

Interesting fact: I won a game of darts against Andy Fordham, “The Viking”, who was on a local promotional tour, challenging players to a shoot out on the bull’s eye. At the time he was the British Darts Organisation World Champion. I was thrilled to get to the chance to play him, but to be one of only two people to beat him that evening was pretty amazing.
Favourite place: Drakes Circus in Plymouth as I really enjoy shopping!

Rebecca Bashford, Senior Bookings Advisor

Interesting fact: I use to work in Animal Care and have personally hand-reared 5 baby Macaw Parrots. Also, one afternoon a couple of years ago, I met Dawn French and Lenny Henry in Totnes!
Favourite place: I love to visit Newquay in Cornwall at least once every year. It has everything you need; beautiful beaches, great selection of shops and restaurants and a great nightlife. On a beautiful summer’s day there is nothing like sitting on the terrace at Lewinnick Lodge over looking Fistral Bay, having a cream and tea and just watching the world go by!

Jemma Thorne, Senior Bookings Administrator

Interesting fact: I’ve been involved in motorsport since I was very young and marshalled on the Rally GB for 6 years. I now photograph motorsport and have had my pictures printed in a national magazine.
Favourite place: Mamhead forest. A great picnic area in the summer after you've been strawberry picking. Venford Reservoir and Badgers Holt on Dartmoor are both nice walks in the winter and picnic areas in the summer.

Susie Walker, Bookings Advisor

Interesting fact: I have completed one skydive from 14000ft! I'm now looking to complete lots more!
Favourite place: Sharkham Point in Brixham. I take my dog for walks here and it is beautiful at any time of year. From here we also walk down to St Marys Bay Beach which makes you feel like you're a million miles away from anywhere.

Kerry Curtis, Bookings Advisor

Interesting fact: Last year I spent an afternoon with a Masai Tribe in Kenya.
Favourite place: Totnes in South Devon, a really unique town with great restaurants, pubs and interesting shops.

Claire Blunt, Bookings Advisor

Interesting fact: When travelling around Australia I walked along the top of Sydney Harbour Bridge.
Favourite place: Exeter because it’s good for shopping.

Leane Hurley, Bookings Advisor

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Jon Pessling, Bookings Administrator

Interesting fact: I have climbed Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania and it is probably the most strenuous thing I have ever done. An amazing feeling standing on top of Africa in the snow though!
Favourite place: Anywhere on Dartmoor. No matter what the weather or time of year, there is some mysterious awe about the place. Dartmoor is also home to some great walking and cycling routes, as well as a great selection of traditional moorland pubs to sooth those aching limbs.

Tracey Inness, Bookings Advisor

Interesting fact: I have flown a two-man aeroplane.
Favourite place: St Ives, Cornwall. There are gorgeous sandy beaches and the town is very pretty and unspoilt. There are lots of little art and jewellery shops in the winding streets and some really nice restaurants and pubs. I like nothing better than to sit outside The Sloop overlooking the bay and watch the world go by.

Laura Tickle, Bookings Advisor

Interesting fact: I went to Italy skiing several years ago and was that clumsy that I fell over 15 times in the first day! But I didn't break anything, which is quite surprising!
Favourite place: My favourite place in the South West would have to be..... Breakwater Beach in Brixham, especially when it's stormy and you can watch the waves crashing onto the shore.

Philip Newnes, Head of Property

Interesting fact: On the evening of 2nd July 2004 my wife Ann and I spent an evening having dinner with Prince Charles and Camilla Parker-Bowles .
Favourite place: East Portlemouth opposite Salcombe. Approached either by ferry from Salcombe or narrow Devon Lanes, there is a sandy very safe beach for the children, the opportunity for swimming, sailing, beach combing or just lazing the day away on a comfy beach lounger eating Salcombe Ice cream watching all the activity on the Salcombe estuary .

Matthew Boe, Property Portfolio Manager, Devon

Interesting fact: I once drove from Cherbourg to the French Alps. It took my friend and I 12 days when it should have took 3! When we got there on the first night, I hurriedly brushed my teeth only to realize I’d accidently used the deep heat cream by mistake. My lips and tongue swelled to twice their size!
Favourite place: Dartmoor. I love the views and feeling of escape and relaxation. I also love the River Dart and have canoed it many times.

Jodie Shaw, Property Portfolio Manager, South Cornwall

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Gemma Drinkwater, Property Portfolio Manager, North Cornwall

Interesting fact: I have been in a TV show called 'Bitback' on ITV and also 'Deal or No Deal'.
Favourite place: Watergate Bay. It's perfect for great food at Fifteen (Jamie Olivers), relaxing on the beach or trying some Extreme Sports. Perfect for late summer BBQ's as well.