About Us

David Newnes was one of the first Board Members of Agents Giving when it started and he has played an active role in the charity since then and in January 2022 took over the role as Chairman.

David was one of the founder MBO team at LSL, on the PLC Board responsible for the estate agency and financial services businesses including Your Move, Reeds Rains, Marsh and Parsons, on the board of e.surv and most of the LSL subsidiary companies.

David left LSL in December 2014 and is now involved in a range of businesses including Chairman of askporter, a shareholder and non-exec director at BriefYourMarket and Berkeley Inns – and in March 2019 he renewed his relationship with LSL taking on 39 branches and 12 territories.

In his spare time David has a passion for motor racing and for classic and modern cars and when time allows working around the farm in Derbyshire, sailing and scuba diving.

Started in Estate Agency with Winkworth & Co in their Knightsbridge office in September 1976 as a junior negotiator. By 1979 Michael was appointed Manager of the Winkworth Fulham office and when the company converted to a franchise business, he became the first franchise within the group, purchasing the Fulham office in 1982, opening a second branch in Chiswick in 1984. By 1986, having run two very successful franchise businesses, Michael became Managing Director of Winkworth and along with Simon Agace the Chairman, built up a network of 48 franchised offices. Michael sold his franchises in the early ’90s and left the Winkworth group in April 1992. He joined the Legal & General Group in September 1992 where he was instrumental in setting up Legal & General Franchising Ltd. Michael has witnessed a lot of change within the Corporate ownership by L&G of its Estate Agency Network but successfully converted the corporate estate agency business into a wholly franchised network, in excess of 100 branches. L&G sold its franchise network to Martin & Co PLC in 2014 and Michael became their Group Managing Director on completion of the transaction.

Michael Stoop retired from his position in 2016 as group managing director at what was formerly Martin & Co and is now The Property Franchise Group.

Michael joined the OEA now TPO as a Director in November 2003 and was a member TPO Disciplinary Standards Committee from 2008-2012. He became a Trustee of the Estate Agents Foundation (Agents Giving) in 2010.

Michael is also, a Fellow of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, a Fellow of the National Association of Estate Agents and a Member of the Association of Residential Lettings Agents and holds various NED roles within the property industry as well as various consultancy roles as well as Chairman of the newly formed TPO Industry Forum.

Peter Knight cofounded Agents Giving in 2007 and having served for several years as Chairman has now handed over that baton to Michael Stoop but remains on the board as a director.

Peter is very involved with the estate agency industry. His primary business, the Property Academy, works with a select group of agents to help them fulfil their business potential. He also produces the Best Estate Agent Guide, an assessment of the whole industry in collaboration with Rightmove and organises the largest awards event, the EA Masters.

Away from property, Peter is also an Ambassador for Velindre, (cancer research charity) and has taken part in numerous fundraising events including climbing Mount Kilimanjaro and cycling across India and Sri Lanka.

Nathan Emerson is CEO of Propertymark – The UK’s foremost professional and regulatory membership body for sales, letting and commercial agents.

Originating from partner and director level in a highly successful, multi-award winning, estate agency background, Nathan now provides a full suite of property industry and estate agency-related consultancy services aimed primarily at working with business owners in a discrete fashion to adapt and grow.  Nathan supports and helps new suppliers to the property industry prepare themselves and their products to enter the marketplace.

In his spare time – he is a great lover of food, wine and barely moderate exercise…

Gareth Samples is a well-known and highly respected property industry professional with a wealth of experience and knowledge.

Having successfully operated in Managing Director and Senior Board positions for both corporate estate agency chain Your Move and later Multi-Channel marketing suppliers Brief Your Market, Gareth has a strong background with regards to operational direction and the long term strategic planning required for successful business growth and success.

His expansive true industry grounding which saw him begin life as a Sales Negotiator for Connells and rise progressively through the industry becoming one of the few corporate heavyweights to have a true coal face understanding of the business.

Gareth operates a highly successful consultancy service across a wide-ranging portfolio of business interests including restaurants, commercial contracting, estate agency and prop tech.

A committed benefactor to several charitable ventures Gareth is keen to support others wishing to raise monies through the Agents Giving Charity.

I have been working at Foxtons since 2002 and it has been an amazing journey. I started out running Recruitment and Learning and Development which meant I had the pleasure of on-boarding and training all new recruits for over ten years, ensuring that we maintained a diverse and inclusive workplace.

I am now the Director of Corporate Services and Customer Experience. Corporate Services looks after almost 5000 professionals relocating to London for work purposes every year. Customer Experience is all about the holistic view that customers have of us – it’s about how people interact with us through different channels, how we design and simplify their journeys and deliver them consistently and with quality. After 16 years, I am still learning, still developing and still having lots of fun with my colleagues.

When I’m not at Foxtons I can be found running after two toddlers on Richmond Green – eating ice cream and kicking footballs!

Jane Gardner has been in the property industry since the 1980s and has worked within independent, franchised and corporate estate agencies. She has started up numerous businesses which have gone on to be incredibly successful and built an award-winning lettings agency “Sewell & Gardner” in 2002, selling to Countrywide plc at the end of 2014.

Jane now works as a specialist lettings consultant to estate agency businesses across the UK and runs a busy digital media company running estate agency social media accounts and designing agency websites.  Jane sits on the NFoPP exam board for the lettings technical awards and was the first in the UK to pass the Level 4 Certificate in Residential Lettings & Property Management.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/janegardnerfarla/

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Marcus joined the Guild of Property Professionals in 2008, the UK’s largest membership organisation for independent estate agents, acting as its CEO for over 8 years. He then briefly served as Finance Director for the GPEA Group (Guild, Fine & Country and Property Logic) until its acquisition by easyProperty in 2017, when he became Chief Operations Officer for the new, enlarged company (ePropServices), sitting on the main PLC Board.

Before joining The Guild, Marcus held a variety of senior board positions across several industries including FMCG, chemicals, compliance, consultancy, and full-service media – including living and working in Germany for 3 years during and after the fall of the Berlin Wall.

Marcus has recently launched a new venture with the objective of promoting higher standards of environmental, social and governance across the sector, and in particular, raising awareness around sustainability and wellness. He was formerly the environmental manager for a well-known UK plc, so this is the continuation of a long journey!

For relaxation, Marcus likes running in the leafy lanes and fields of the Huntingdonshire countryside.

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Spencer has been a driving force behind Paramount Properties since 1998. As the Managing Director of Lettings, he leads his team in pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in lettings, property management, maintenance and beyond.

Paramount is an independent agency in north London that’s built on a customer-centric approach. They offer everything a person could need in their property journey in-house, which allows them to deliver a completely bespoke approach to their services. They’re often early adopters of tech advancements in property, and it’s no wonder they continue to win awards year after year.

Following with their people-first approach, Spencer leads Paramount in a wide variety of charity and community events.

“We’re always involved in something to raise funds or help in some way. Doing what we can to help make things better for people in our community is the right thing to do, so why wouldn’t we do it? It’s also great to see the passion in our team when we’re all working towards something that can make a genuine difference.”

Spencer is also a Board Member for Agents Giving and is often in the midst of training for his next charity race. Ask him to find out what he’ll be fundraising for next!

Debbie joined TDS in July 2017 as the Assistant Director of Business Development.  Debbie then became Head of Sales and Marketing at TDS in January 2020.  Debbie has an extensive background in the property industry with over 18 years’ experience in residential lettings.  Debbie brings her passion for raising standards in the lettings industry into her role and is responsible for the digital marketing, advertising, communications and events management for TDS with a firm focus on business development across the TDS brand including TDS England & Wales, TDS Northern Ireland, TDS Academy and TDS Charitable Foundation.

linkedin.com/in/debbie-davies

Our office network covers Shropshire, Worcestershire, Herefordshire and Staffordshire providing us with some excellent links. We are also members of the Land & New Homes Network which further enhances our contact base. Within our areas, we have strong social media pages on Facebook and LinkedIn where posts are made by all offices, colleagues and a PR Company that we use.

In regards to my passion for fund raising, it is fair to say that it is a recently found passion. In recent years, various things have happened to family, friends and acquaintances that have put life in to perspective somewhat and at risk of using a cliché, has made me value what I have and appreciate how lucky I am.

I have a son called Archie who is nearly 4 with my wife Laura. Since having a family, the all too familiar and tragic stories of children requiring potentially lifesaving treatment abroad stick in my mind so much more and ultimately inspired the recent golf day amongst other things we have done to raise money. In another local campaign “Wear Red for Zach” we donated fees from sales in the area he lived in. He, like Harry, met their fund raising target and is undergoing treatment.

In short, I feel I have a lot more to give from a fund raising point of view and the golf day has given me the confidence and inspiration to kick on and help make a difference in a wider area. As my experience, knowledge and support base continue to grow, I cant wait to get our next event organised. Whilst my expertise (other than selling houses!) is golf, my network of contacts will ensure we can make a success out of various other types of event.

I am also a committee member of the Ironbridge Business Consortium which is a group of like minded business owners that meet regularly to introduce new initiatives designed to drive business to local firms whilst enhancing the town for it’s visitors and residents.

Whilst effectively covering the whole of our patch with a land and new homes cap on, my desk is in our Ironbridge office and we have found it hugely beneficial to be as involved in our community as possible. Likewise, all of our branch principals are driven to involve themselves in the local area as much as possible.

linkedin.com/in/glyn-mckenna-20182567

glynmckenna@hotmail.co.uk

I am the marketing co-ordinator for Dawsons Property, with 10 sales and lettings branches in South Wales.

I began my career in estate agency in 2003, joining Dawsons in 2011.

I am passionate about helping the local community and organising charity events for Dawsons throughout the year.  As mum to a son, George, born with a rare oesophageal condition, I support the TOFS CHARITY where I am a local contact helping other parents to cope with the common problems associated with the condition.

I have 3 children and live in Swansea, where I also am actively involved in the scout movement.

LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/naomi-webborn-6789b91a1/

Naomi Webborn Best Individual Fundraising Agents Giving Fundraising Champion Awards

After completing an NVQ in sports studies at college I worked in a gym for a year but I didn’t seem to have the passion for the job. I have always shown an interest in property from a young age. When I was 12 my parents sold and bought a home and I still remember the estate agents coming to the house (just so happened to be the company I work for now!).  I remember viewing properties, and going to showrooms and I loved it!

I started working with Thomas Morris in 2006 as a trainee consultant and very quickly realised it was the career for me. Through hard work and dedication, I am now a Branch Partner of the St Ives office and still have the same buzz for property as I did when I first started.

As a full-time working mum of 2 who loves to meet up with friends and play competitive netball, you can imagine life is chaotic…..but I wouldn’t have it any other way!

Charity work is a huge part of my job and I find it so rewarding not only that, but I have such a blast whatever event we do. I’m proud to be a regional ambassador for Agents Giving.

Jamie started work for Pygott & Crone on 2004 and has been fortunate enough to work in a variety of different roles within the company progressing to Branch Manager. He is passionate about the property industry and takes pride in the wealth of experience he has gained whist working for Pygott and Crone. He is a member of the National Association of Estate Agents and spent 2 years as a board member representing Lincolnshire. Over the years he has been nominated for national awards and has represented Pygott and Crone at industry events across the country.

Outside of work, Jamie’s interests include live music and watching sports, he is a keen football fan and has season tickets at Everton. Jamie has a son who plays football for Sleaford, Lincoln and Nottingham Forest youth teams.

Jamie continues to be involved in many events for charities that are close to his heart, having taken part in cycle rides, 3 Peak Challenges and distance running to name a few. Jamie was honoured to be awarded Fund Raiser of the Year in 2018 at the Agents Giving Awards.

Tweet Jamie:

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In June 2020 Vicky joined the Board of Directors at Simply Conveyancing as Sales & Marketing Director. She has gained a wealth of experience over the past 20 years within Estate Agency and Property; including, running key accounts, sales, training and growing profitability in both Lettings and Sales across the UK. She started out as a Managing Partner for Halifax Estate Agency for 7 years then Head of Sales for Homelet for 12 years.

This has led Vicky to love everything property and people, and looks forward to growing the Simply Conveyancing business and becoming a supplier of choice for Estate Agents. This has recently been echoed by winning The Best Conveyancing Supplier at the 2021 ESTAS Awards and again being nominated for 2022.

Suzanna has worked within the property industry for over 13 years working closely with Estate Agents on behalf of both suppliers and charity events.

Her flagship charity sits under the Agents Giving umbrella and is called Do it for Dom, raising over £200k towards curing Huntingdon’s disease.

Today, Suzanna spends her time in her day job at Acaboom, a market appraisal toolkit for estate agents, whilst supporting as many charity events as possible.  Hiking Kilimanjaro, canoeing the Wye, hiking the 3 peaks, dancing, boxing – you name it, she’s in!

Sarah-Anne joined Macleod & MacCallum in 2001 and manages the Residential Lettings Department.  Sarah-Anne has an extensive background in the property industry with over 19 years’ experience in residential lettings.  Sarah-Anne was successfully shortlisted as Learner of the Year at the Propertymark Qualification Awards in 2018 and has achieved that NFOPP Level 6 Award in Residential Letting and Property Management Scotland.

The Department was the Gold winner in the British Property Awards for Letting Agent in Inverness 2018-2019 and were also chosen as the Bronze winner.  Macleod & MacCallum have a great charity ethos and pride themselves in giving back to the local communities in which they operate.  As a result, the Macleod & MacCallum Community Grant Scheme was set up, which is aimed at helping to support local communities across the Highlands and Islands, and is open to all local groups, charities and organisations.

The grant comprises of five “Mini Mac” Grants of £500 each and one “Mighty Mac” Grant of £1,000.   Sarah-Anne shares this ethos and arranged for her team to take part in the Queensferry Crossing Walk, where pedestrians were granted the “once-in-a-lifetime experience” of walking across the new road bridge.  The Queensferry Crossing Experience ballot attracted almost 250,000 applicants, with 50,000 given the one-off chance to cross the bridge on foot.  Sarah-Anne and her team decided to do this is in aid of sIMBA (Simpson’s Memory Box Appeal).

https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-anne-gow-61aa414a/

In the past, both myself and my wife (who is also involved in our business) acted as chairman of Solihull Rotaract, a young person’s organisation which was part of Rotary International. As well as being a social organisation we did a lot of fundraising for charity and service in the community. My wife was also involved in girl guiding charity, helping raise money for our 15-year-old daughter, along with other guides, to travel to Ghana in Africa to help in an orphanage. I am also currently the charity steward for my local Masonic lodge.

I am keen to meet with other agents in my region, get to know them, and promote the cause of charity fundraising within our industry.

linkedin.com/in/john-wyatt-3abb22119

john@clivetannerwyatts.co.uk

I am delighted to join Agents Giving as a regional ambassador. I have 28 years of estate agency experience. I was an area director at the Connells group up until 2018 having worked with them for for 14 years. I then took a grown-up gap year and when I returned I joined eXp UK.

I am currently the chairperson for the uk agent advisory council and also part of the global agent advisory council so I am able to offer a solution to all eXp agents to do more for charities in their community and also on a national scale.

I support my local charities personally on an ad hoc basis I aim to get more involved with fundraising causes, especially in the current climate. I find nothing more rewarding than giving back to my local community and I am working on widening my network and delighted to be more involved with like-minded estate agents.

With over 25 years of experience in the property industry, Liana has worked in both corporate and boutique agencies.  Starting her career at the largest real estate company in Malta and then relocating to England to learn about the unique London market with one of the leading corporate agencies.  What was intended to be a sabbatical turned into a permanent stay, with over a decade working as Sales and Operational Director at an independent agency in North West London.  Liana is now working under the EXP banner at her own agency Liana-Loporto-Browne covering North West London, and is the immediate past president of the NAEA (Propertymark).  Liana is also very well known in the property industry, especially amongst the ladies, as she founded the Women In Estate Agency group.

I believe I would make a good ambassador as I have been in the industry for over 12 years. I feel extremely passionate about fundraising for charities, having lost my brother-in-law to cancer last October, he was 21, I have been heavily involved with Macmillan and Teenage Cancer Trust. These are both extremely close to my heart.

We are also in the process of setting up a charity in his name to allow a 16-18 year old, without the funding, to be able to go to theatre college. With this, I am assisting my husband in creating a video to release my brother-in-law’s song to help raise money for the charity as well as holding a charity evening in November.

I feel my passion, emotion and proactive approach will prove I am a good ambassador for Agents Giving and I hope I am considered for this role.

I am born and raised in South Croydon and have moved out gradually over the years as our family has grown. Having started my working life in Investment Banking by becoming one of the only female Sales Traders in the City, I was introduced to a Client-Centric sales process from the word go. I have been fortunate throughout my career and after I left the City to gain good experience, working for a global brand ending up as their Regional Sales Development Manager with an annual Budget of £10 million.

The transition to Co-owning Walter & Mair with Toby many years ago was a leap of faith, but not one that I have ever regretted. Toby is a phenomenal agent and we now have a fabulous team around us, meaning that most of my time is spent behind the scenes doing the operational day-to-day running of the business, marketing, finances, and answering the phones when everyone else is tied up. Fabulous is my favorite word and my family and my friends are my raison d’etre. At home we have 2 beautiful, growing too fast, girls and the love of my life – our dog – Freddy.