Horncastle office

Following a Masters Degree in Rural Estate Management at the Royal Agricultural University in Cirencester, I returned to Lincolnshire and took on the responsibility of managing Tumby Estate Woods. Since joining Robert Bell & Co in July 2021 I have qualified as a Member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and a Fellow of the Central Association of Agricultural Valuers.

I work within the Agricultural and Rural Team, on forestry and woodland management, infrastructure and utilities, Landlord and Tenant and assisting George Harrison with other professional client work. As a RICS Registered Valuer, I also carry out valuation work.

Being a member of the Royal Forestry Society affords me appreciation for the natural environment, spending time with family in South Africa and Stellenbosch where I completed my undergraduate degree.

George has been with Robert Bell and Company since November 2011 providing assistance to Robert Bell in the agricultural department. His role is diverse and includes valuations, sales and lettings, management, agricultural advice, subsidy and environmental advice, landlord and tenant, compensation, and forestry. His previous work experience at Robert Bell and Company whilst at university and his connections to the area of practice have helped him obtain a firm foothold in his short time with the company.

Having graduated from the Royal Agricultural College with a first in Rural Land Management George was employed for two years with the national firm of Smiths Gore in Peterborough where he qualified as a Chartered Surveyor and managed diverse property portfolios for larger institutions.

George’s family farm at Legbourne near Louth and he has strong connections to the farming community in the Horncastle area. Living in Louth George maintains an active interest in the family farm which is a 300 acre arable farm has a substantial diversification in private childcare namely Red Hen Childrens' Day Nursery which won the Nursery World’s Nursery of the Year award in 2013 and George has been one of the main driving forces for the next planned development of a retirement complex.

George is a committee member of the Lincolnshire Association of Agricultural Valuers, a member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, a Registered Valuer, a member of the Royal Forestry Society, and past treasurer and social secretary to both the Royal Agricultural College Student Union and Alford Young Farmers and past chairman of the Fitzwilliam Hunt Supporters Club.

I has worked at Robert Bell and Company for 14 years in mu position as a Letting Secretary, supporting Sharon, Paddy and Maria.

Alastair has been with Robert Bell & Company since 2006 having initially joined the firm as a negotiator in the Horncastle residential sales department. He has since moved on to fulfil the roles of residential valuer and residential sales manager taking responsibility for the Horncastle sales team during what at times has been the most difficult housing market in living memory.

Whilst at Robert Bell & Company Alastair has completed a post graduate diploma in Surveying, graduating from the University of Reading following a two and a half year distance based learning course and has qualified as a member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors. As an RICS registered valuer Alastair specialises in the valuation and sale of residential properties and in addition to managing the Horncastle residential sales team is also responsible for providing formal RICS residential valuations and property surveys across the firm.

Alastair is the fourth generation in his family to pursue a career in the land and property industry, and the second to have worked for the firm following his great grandfather Mr Barney Boulton who was employed by Parish, Stafford, Walter & Bell before being sent to manage the practice of Willsons (Burgh le Marsh) in 1933. Following a period of a couple of years during which the two firms ran together Barney acquired Willsons and was followed into practice by both Alastair's grandfather and father, Neil and Anthony Boulton.

I started my professional life in the kitchens of the Trustee House Forte chain in Wakefield and surronding area, having had to ditch the idea of becoming a VET and air stewardess, as I was not clearer enough for one and not tall or slim enough for the other.  So had to settle for for 3rd choice in life, become a chef.  Mind you, when I was little I used to play hotels with my best friend a lady in her early 70’s, her sister used to teach me how to bake and then once I was old enough to be allowed to cook on my own, I used to hold dinner parties for my parents and I’d give them an evaluation sheet, so maybe chef was always on the cards. 

Fast forward to 2009 and an opportunity presented itself, to purchase the luxury hand crafted dessert business where I had honed my skills as a patissier some 14 years earlier.  I jumped at the chance (after some persuding from my previous collegues) and so Angels Desserts was born. 

I owned this amazing company for 9 years when I closed the business due to ill health, I thought that I might be unemployable.  I was shocked to realised that the skills I had learnt as a business owner were so transferable and of interest to employers. My accounts and HR experience I have continued to develop, challege and excel in.  To me I look for a role that allows me to grow not just professional but personally too, that is what makes me tick.

In my personal life, I’m a bit of an adrenaline junkie, with a sky-dive and the fastest zip-line in the UK being on my to-do list before my 55th birthday.  I’ve a bubbly personality, with an infectous laugh and a positive outlook on life and have followed this into a new career pathway as a Clinicial Psychotherapist and Hypnotherapist. 

I have been a Chartered Surveyor since 1998, and worked in numerous Surveying Practices both private and corporate organisations gaining a wealth of experience in both Residential and Commercial Property and awarded the Healey and Baker Prize for Valuation at University. 

I have a keen interest in antiques, in particular silver and art, had four fiction books published, one for adults and three for children, "Lot 22", "Bitsa the Vintage Car and Friends, One and Two" and “The Cat Flap Mysteries – Book 1, Saving Gold Feather”. 

I am currently writing another Cat Flap mystery. I have been on the Fourth Plinth at Trafalgar Square as part of Antony Gormley’s Fourth Plinth Art Project playing my keyboard and undertake talks and presentations for Schools, the WI and Probus. 

Together with family and friends I have helped raise over £5000 for the Children's Charity "When You Wish Upon a Star" with activities including two London to Brighton Vintage and Veteran Car Runs (one in my Austin 7 and one in a 1900 Darracq), taken part in the Belchford and Cadwell Downhill gravity Go Cart Challenges, walking along the Lincolnshire Coast dressed in fancy dress pushing a Go Cart, hosted a stall at Lincoln Christmas Market and Busked at various locations in Lincolnshire.

Paddy was born in Gloucestershire.  He moved to Lincolnshire in 1974, having graduated in Botany at Nottingham University.   He has held a number of positions, mainly in agricultural-related businesses, in a variety of roles, including production management and, latterly, Health and Safety. His current role within the Company is as a Lettings Negotiator, dealing day-to-day with Landlords and Tenants.

He has lived in Coningsby since 1982, and plays an active part in community life there.  He has served as Mayor of Coningsby, and is currently a Town Councillor.  He is also involved with the Royal British Legion.

Paddy’s interests include the study of military history (with a bias towards The Great War, and military aviation), and DIY.  He will admit that he is never happier than when he is making a noise, creating either sparks or sawdust!