Mark Haffenden

Partner

I have lived in Kent all my life and have an association with selling houses in Tunbridge Wells since 1985. I joined Batcheller Thacker, now Batcheller Monkhouse, when they moved from their Pantiles office to the current location of 1 London Road in 2001. I have a detailed knowledge of the town market, surrounding villages and countryside, and have over the years sold a huge variety of property. With my wife and 3 children we made our home in the town and are very much an integral part of where we live. In my spare time I enjoy classic cars and motor-sport, music, tennis and walking on the Ashdown Forest.

Michelle-Cordery-Tunbridge-Wells

Michelle Young

Senior Negotiator

Having completed a Business Studies course at College I started my first job in Estate Agency based in Hailsham covering both residential and commercial property. In 1989 I started work for Robert Batcheller in the Hailsham office of General Accident (Braxtons), then moving to work in East Grinstead and Crowborough.  With a break to bring up my 2 sons I returned to Estate Agency in Mayfield before joining the Tunbridge Wells team of Batcheller Thacker (now Batcheller Monkhouse) in 2005. At home, I love long walks with our Labrador and socialising with friends and family. Over the years I have been closely involved with our local rugby club, Heathfield and Waldron.

Jeremy St Clair-George

Senior Negotiator

My early years were spent overseas, settling in Sussex as a teenager and then studied at The Royal Agricultural College, Cirencester. I started my career in Estate Agency working in London for 6 years however, I was fortunate to return to the countryside selling houses in and around Rye and later Cranbrook. In 2011 I joined Batcheller Monkhouse in Tunbridge Wells. When I am not at work I spend my time by the sea living in St Leonards. I particularly enjoy cooking, watching rugby and am partial to playing cricket when time permits.

Hannah Richardson

Negotiator

My home city is Oxford which is where I began my Estate Agency career before moving to London in the early 1990’s to work for the next 18 years in the extremely busy areas of Putney, Richmond & Twickenham. The move to East Sussex in 2010 was to be nearer family and it was the best thing I ever did! I started working for Batcheller Monkhouse in Battle before moving to the Haywards Heath office and then to Tunbridge Wells where I work part time to support the team in any way I am able to, which I greatly enjoy. My spare time is spent walking my dogs and cooking for friends and family.

Leo-Hickish

Leo Hickish
FRICS MBIAC

Partner, Chairman

Perhaps inevitable that, as the son of a Land Agent in Cornwall, I would identify rural surveying as the perfect career. Graduating from the Royal Agricultural College, Cirencester in the mid ‘80s my first job was an assistant agent at Cowdray Park in West Sussex. The opportunity to open a new office for a national firm in Hertfordshire drew me away from Sussex. Looking to implement what I had learnt in both environments with the challenge of starting a new private enterprise I joined Tom Bodley Scott to create the professional department at Batcheller Thacker, Tunbridge Wells in 2002. It has been my great pleasure to help lead the professional department and much of my time is spent on strategic estate and tax planning and wider development. Life away from the office still involves horses and other means of transport including cycling.

tom-bodley-scott

Tom Bodley Scott
MRICS FAAV

Partner

I have over 27 years’ experience in offering advice to over 500 corporate and private landowners on all matters relating to telecom apparatus being located on their land or buildings. I the Telecoms department at Batcheller Monkhouse and continue to be very active in defending landlords’ interests during the review of the Electronic Communications Code. Furthermore I have helped the RICS prepare their Valuation Guidance Note on the new Code.

Andrew Mallard
MRICS

Partner

Primarily from Kent, although my early years were spent in Germany as my father had an RAF posting there. I too joined the RAF, and served 6 years, after which I studied for a Land Management degree at De Montfort University. In 1999 I commenced working in the Telecommunications Consultancy with Smith Woolley, in Cambridge.  I joined Batcheller Monkhouse, Tunbridge Wells in 2017, as a Landlord Agent and am now an Associate Partner. We act for clients throughout the United Kingdom, who range from individual property owners to national corporate and investment property owners, Local Authorities and Government departments. In my spare time I enjoy our garden at home, am interested in bees and have my own hives.

Charlotte=Pearson-Wood

Charlotte Pearson-Wood
MRICS FAAV

Partner

I grew up in Sandhurst, Kent as the daughter to a farming family and very much involved within our local rural community. I studied Rural Land Management at The Royal Agricultural Collage, Cirencester before working for 3 years in Wiltshire where I gained my Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors Qualifications (MRICS) and accreditation to be a Fellow of the Central Association of Agricultural Valuers (FAAV). In 2014 I returned to Sussex to work for Batcheller Monkhouse and was made an Associate Partner in 2017. My role primarily revolves around Estate Management for a number of private clients. If I’m not working I can be found riding my horses, going for long exploratory walks around the High Weald or on the beach on a wet, windy and wild day.

Kirsty Castle
MRTPI AIEMA

Partner

Having completed my degree in Environmental Planning and postgraduate qualifications in Town Planning at Anglia Ruskin University, I worked for a number of local authorities in Essex in their planning enforcement and development management teams and the enforcement section at Westminster City Council. I moved to the private sector working for a planning consultancy in Kent for 10 years where I was able to broaden my knowledge and experience. In 2015 I joined Batcheller Monkhouse. I love working in conjunction with my colleagues to provide solutions which cover a range of professional planning and development areas.

Oliver Robinson
MRICS

Partner

My specialism in development for housing and commercial property has grown from an early interest. The interaction between landscapes and environments and how they are shaped by human intervention, led to me completing a Geography degree at Newcastle University. I started work with a national surveying firm in Maidstone whilst working towards my MRICS Qualifications, and a Masters in Surveying from Reading University. After 2 years travelling in Hong Kong, I joined Batcheller Monkhouse in 2010. I focus on advising landowners on the best course of action for bringing forward strategic land for development together with dealing with the sale of the land following the grant of planning. Away from the office my passion is rugby and cricket. I have now hung up my playing boots and get most of my exercise from chasing after my 2 young children.

Scott Smith
MRICS AssocRTPI

Associate

I joined the professional department at Batcheller Monkhouse in 2016 as an Assistant Planner and Surveyor. Having been promoted to Senior Surveyor in 2019 I undertake all aspects of valuation, planning and development. Before Batcheller Monkhouse I gained valuable experience in Asset Management with an American multinational investment bank in central London. I also held a residential and country house agency position working across Surrey and Sussex with a leading property company. I enjoy all aspects of development, diversification and valuation consultancy and I am heavily involved in strategic land agency working predominantly on residential development land across the region. Outside of work I am a keen sailor, skier and fly fisherman.

Robin Whatley
MRICS

Associate

Having studied Real Estate Management at Oxford Brookes University, I joined a national surveying firm in 2011 and qualified as a Chartered Surveyor in 2016. My work was principally land management before transitioning into valuation. I have also gained experience as a Landlord & Tenant surveyor, I joined Batcheller Monkhouse in 2021 and am part of the Telecoms department based in Tunbridge Wells, where my responsibilities include portfolio management for retained clients located around the country, and other land owners involved with telecoms operations. I live in mid-Sussex with my wife Sara and two young children.

Harriet-Richardson-Planning

Harriet Richardson
BA (Hons) MSc MRTPI

Associate

I set out to obtain my Degree and Masters in Town Planning (MRTPI) with a view to a career in Planning; being fortunate as one of those few people that chose a Degree and Masters which could lead directly to my chosen career. I decided I wanted to be a Town Planner during a work experience placement as a teenager. I have extensive private sector planning experience, having worked for a housebuilder prior to joining Batcheller Monkhouse in 2014. I have worked on hundreds of planning applications over the past decade and more, from small scale householder applications to major urban extensions. I work alongside the RTPI, launching and co-chairing the Kent Young Planners Network, being on the RTPI South East Regional Activities Committee and guest lecturing at a number of schools and universities.

Robert Hepworth
MTCP MA MRICS

Associate

I have around 18 years experience working as a Chartered Surveyor across the City of London and the Regional markets. During my career I have advised funds, property companies, private individuals and international investors on the acquisition, disposal and asset management of commercial property. After relocating to Tunbridge Wells with my family, I now work in the Telecoms department advising clients on achieving best value from their land/property portfolios in relation to hosting telecoms equipment. My clients include London Boroughs, County Councils, property companies and private individuals.

Mark East
BSc (Hons) MRICS

Consultant, Telecoms

I started working in the telecoms sector in 1992, shortly after becoming a Chartered Surveyor. My general practice professional work started at Daniel Smith and Mellersh & Harding before moving into telecoms at Cable & Wireless Communications, Dolphin Telecom, Crown Castle and then Drivers Jonas. I enjoyed being involved in building telecoms networks for both fixed line and mobile telecoms operators as well as telecoms infrastructure providers, before turning my attention to protecting the property interests of the many clients of TPCL and now Batcheller Monkhouse. I have acted as Arbitrator and Independent Expert as well as Expert Witness and had been involved in the Law Commission review of the Electronic Communications Code. In my spare time I like to mountain bike and ski. Now that my children have flown the nest my wife and I try to travel as often as time permits.

Hayley Olley
BA (Hons) LPC

Senior Surveyor

Having studied History at London University, I went on to qualify as a Solicitor and work in the busy corporate department of a city law firm, advising on a range of corporate and commercial transactions. With a young family, we decided to move out of London to Tunbridge Wells. After a career break, I joined Batcheller Monkhouse where I work as a Telecoms Surveyor, advising private, government and commercial landlords on all aspects of Telecoms related issues.

Rob Lee
BSc MRICS

Senior Surveyor

Having studied Real Estate at the University of Reading I qualified as a chartered surveyor in 2019, specialising in planning and development. After 4 years at a national practice I moved back to Sussex and joined Batcheller Monkhouse in 2021. My focus is on strategic development land in the South East but I also act for landowners on a range of development related matters. Outside of work I enjoy playing a range of sports as well as watching Brighton and Hove Albion when I can.

Christine Dadswell
MSc MRTPI

Senior Planner

Following completion of a masters degree in Urban and Regional Planning Christine started her career working for a local authority before moving to a private sector consultancy becoming a Charted Member of the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) in 2016. She joined Batcheller Monkhouse in 2021. Christine has experience across the planning sector from small scale commercial projects to larger scale residential developments. She particularly enjoys working on projects involving heritage considerations as well as projects for bespoke contemporary dwellings. In her spare time Christine enjoys baking, walks in the Sussex countryside and also volunteering for a local befriending charity.

Toby Trotman
MRICS

Senior Surveyor

I grew up in Nottinghamshire and after completing my Rural Land Management degree at the Royal Agricultural University, I relocated to Tunbridge Wells to start my career at Batcheller Monkhouse. My day to day work includes estate management, farm management, environmental services, grants and subsides, and valuations. In my free time I try and spend as much time as possible outside, whether that be fishing, shooting or playing cricket and rugby. I also try and find time to help run my family’s pedigree Lincoln Red suckler herd back in Nottinghamshire.

Teresa Kent

Property Manager

Having grown up in a small village in Kent I have lived in various towns around East and West Sussex, before recently moving to Tunbridge Wells. I have enjoyed varied roles at Gatwick Airport, Kent and Surrey Police, the National Trust, 2 years with Batcheller Monkhouse previously and latterly as Assistant Estate Manager on a private estate in Sussex. I rejoined Batcheller Monkhouse in November 2022 as Property Manager in the Estate Management Team. In my spare time I enjoy spending time with my partner, socialising with friends, all types of dancing, reading and walking.

Charlotte Steele
MARLA

Lettings Manager

I grew up in Burwash and then Tunbridge Wells but left the area to study Education at University. I moved to London in early 2012 to start my first job in Estate Agency, as a Lettings Negotiator, in Battersea. After working in lettings in South West London for 6 years, including a role within Lettings Compliance, I obtained the ARLA qualification in December 2017. At the start of 2018 I decided to move back to Tunbridge Wells, to be closer to family, where I worked locally for four and a half years before joining Batcheller Monkhouse at the end of 2022. In my free time I enjoy local fetes and events and exploring the Kent and Sussex Countryside.

Emer Edwards
BSc Hons MRICS

Surveyor

I grew up on the Pevensey Marsh in East Sussex and have always had a love for the countryside. I studied Rural Land Management at the Royal Agricultural College and then spent three years working in North Northumberland where I gained my RICS qualifications (MRICS). I moved home to Sussex last year and joined the Rural team in Tunbridge Wells in February 2022. Outside of work I can normally be found on a horse or walking my dog, Mango.

Bethany Thomas
BSc Hons

Graduate Surveyor

I grew up in the rural area of Horam, East Sussex with most of my upbringing spent on the family farm. Having studied Real Estate at Oxford Brookes University, I returned home to Sussex in 2020 to work for Batcheller Monkhouse as a graduate land agent in the Tunbridge Wells Professional team. I regularly assist with the management of rural estates, as well as a range of other professional work including grant funding applications and tenancy negotiations. I am currently studying towards attaining my Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (MRICS) qualifications.

Nicholas Webb
BA (Hons) MA

Graduate Planner

I originally undertook an undergraduate degree in History at the University of Warwick, where I had the good fortunate to undertake a final year module on the history of planning and discovered a passion for the subject. I joined Batcheller Monkhouse in 2019 as a Planning Assistant, seeking to build a career in the planning profession. Since then, I have completed my master’s degree at LSBU as part of the first cohort of Chartered Town Planner Apprentices and I am now working towards achieving my chartership to the RTPI. I have gained significant experience over my time at BM working on projects that range from small householder applications through to large strategic sites. Outside of work I enjoy hiking on the north downs and swimming.

Hamish-Payne

Hamish Payne
BSc Hons MLE

Graduate Surveyor

I grew up in rural Aberdeenshire having also spent a large portion of my childhood in Cairo. For my degree I attended the University of St Andrews and attained a BSc in Geography and then subsequently a Masters in Land Economy from the University of Aberdeen. I am a graduate in the Telecoms team at Batcheller Monkhouse and am developing experience in matters relating to the New Code such as Lease Renewals, Wayleave Agreements and New Lettings. In addition I manage some of our client’s portfolios and conduct Rent Reviews. My ambition is to attain my chartership to become a member of the RICS. In my spare time I greatly enjoy sport and in particular rugby, boxing and cricket.

Joshua Pearson
BSc Hons

Graduate Surveyor

Having been lucky enough to grow up in the East Sussex countryside, I left to study Real Estate BSc (Hons) at Oxford Brookes University, where outside of my studies I enjoyed spending my time helping run the University Lacrosse Club and admiring the architecture of Oxford’s many historic pubs. After graduating with a First Class Degree I was pleased to get a chance to move back to the rolling fields of Sussex and take up my current position as General Practice Graduate Surveyor in September 2021. Predominantly operating within the Development and Strategic Land Team I enjoy working on behalf of landowners to protect their interests on both immediate and long-term development land matters, as well as undertaking a range of general practice work within the Professional Team such as Residential Valuations. My next goal is to attain RICS chartership. Outside of work I enjoy golf and tennis, as well as making it to as many Welsh rugby matches as I can.

Max Ringer
BSc (Hons)

Graduate Surveyor

Having grown up in Tunbridge Wells for almost 20 years, I am now living in Hartfield, East Sussex. I obtained a BSc Hons studying Real Estate Management at Oxford Brookes University in 2019. After finishing my studies, I gained valuable experience working in Property Investment and Development where I supported complex planning applications and liaised with tenants and contractors. I joined Batcheller Monkhouse in 2022 as a Graduate Surveyor in the Telecoms team and I am now developing my skills in Lease Renewals, Wayleave Agreements, Negotiation and other areas. Outside of work, I enjoy walking my dog on the Ashdown Forest and playing tennis, golf and football.

Jayne Ingman
LLB PGCE

HR Administrator

I grew up in West Yorkshire and came South to complete a Law degree at King’s College, London. Having spent 15 years working in advertising and marketing in London agencies I decided to retrain as a teacher when I moved to Tunbridge Wells with my young family. Passionate about helping children learn the life skills of reading, writing and oracy, I developed an expertise in literacy and became a Specialist Leader of Education. I then became a headteacher combining my business and education expertise, including all aspects of Human Resources. Throughout my career I have particularly enjoyed helping colleagues develop their careers and the role of HR administrator at Batcheller Monkhouse offered me the opportunity to harness  a broad range of skills and expertise. When not working I enjoy dog walking and continue to volunteer as a school governor, a role I have held in carious schools for over 20 years.

Rachel-Smith

Rachel Smith
BA (Hons)

PA to the Chairman

I grew up in Tunbridge Wells and Ticehurst and recently moved back to TW to raise my son after spending more than 15 years living in France and Luxembourg, including a long stint working for a European institution. I studied Modern Languages and am a qualified translator.

Helen Friend

Administrator

I moved to London from East Kent and began my administrative experience in the NHS. I then moved into the Corporate Banking world of Mergers and Acquisitions. I took a career break to look after my young family and returned to work as a general admin assistant in the professional department at Batcheller Monkhouse. I enjoy the variety of the work and the opportunities that it has presented. My role also involves central administrative tasks and I am continuing to learn new skills. Outside of work I enjoy keeping fit and going to the theatre.