Andrew Thomas Bsc (Land Man) MRICS, FAAV, FLAA Partner Andrew is a Chartered Surveyor having graduated from Reading University in 1984 with a degree in Land Management. He joined Herbert R Thomas in 1987 following a graduate placement with Berry Bros, Kettering and was appointed an equity partner in 1988. Andrew is a fellow of the Central Association of Agricultural Valuers (of which he is the current Chairman of the CAAV Wales group) and has 19 years post qualification experience in the Welsh property market. Andrew is a qualified Auctioneer (he is a Fellow of the Livestock Auctioneers Association) with over 20 years rostrum experience. He specialises in the sale by auction of property, chattels (Restructuring Businesses etc) and livestock (at Cowbridge, Neath and Penderyn markets) In his capacity as a Chartered Surveyor Andrew has recently acted on behalf of the Welsh Development Agency, Vale of Glamorgan Council, Dwr Cymru Welsh Water, Persimmon Homes, Gelligaer & Merthyr Commoners Association, Rhymney, Bedwellty & Coed-Y-Mwth Commoners Association, HSBC Bank, Barclays Bank, Llantrisant Town Trust, Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council, Welsh Health Legal Services and numerous private clients. Andrew is the grandson of Herbert R Thomas the founder of the business and enjoys a rich family history of local property knowledge and expertise.

Gavin Rees MNAEA Partner Gavin has been with Herbert R Thomas since 2004 and was appointed equity partner in 2008. Gavin is a member of the National Association of Estate Agents and is responsible for residential valuations and viewings. Gavin was brought up on a working dairy farm in South Pembrokeshire where he started his estate agency career before moving to work as a financial advisor covering West Wales for Royal Liver Assurance. Gavin returned to the estate agency industry to manage a corporate firm in Cardiff approximately eleven years ago. Through his experience in all sectors of the property market Gavin has accumulated a wealth of knowledge of the South Wales property industry.

W.Philip Thomas Dip (Est.Man) MRICS, FAAV Partner Philip is a Chartered Surveyor having graduated from The Royal Agricultural College, Cirencester in 1988 and joined Hebert R Thomas in 2000 and was appointed an equity partner in 2002. He is the Current Vice President of Central Association of Agricultural Valuers for South Wales & Monmouthshire and is the present Secretary to the Glamorgan Grassland Society. Philip is a Committee Member of the Country Land Owners Association (Wales) and Vice Chairman of Glamorgan and Monmouoth Branch of CLA. Philip is involved in all aspects of property work and has over 20 years experience in the surveying sector. Philip is an auctioneer and heads our Property Auction Department. Philip has acted on behalf of Cofton, Llanmoor Homes, West Glamorgan Commoners Association, Walters UK Ltd,Celtic Energy, Lloyds TSB, Barclays Bank, Macob, HSBC, Coedarhydyglyn Estate, Peacocks, Cuddy Group and numerous private clients. Philip was brought up on a family farm and educated at Christ College, Brecon and has lived in the Cowbridge Area for in excess of 40 years being a governor of Llanfair Primary School for the past eight years. Philip is also a former Chairman of Maendy Young Farmers Club.

Robert Calcaterra FNAEA Partner Robert joined Herbert R Thomas in 1983 and was appointed an equity partner in 1990. Robert is a fellow of the National Association of Estate Agents and is responsible for the smooth running of the residential department and carries out residential valuations and viewings. Robert was educated in Christ College, Brecon and has lived in Cowbridge for the last 30 years and has a wealth of knowledge of the local area.

Howell Edwards BSc (Est Man) FRICS, FAAV Partner Howell joined Herbert R Thomas in 1970 and became a partner in the business in 1978. He qualified from The College of Estate Management, London with a BSc in Estate Management. Howell has extensive knowledge of Neath and the surrounding area. Howell deals with all the agricultural properties and enquiries, along with residential, lettings and industrial properties. He is a fellow of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors and a fellow of The Central Association Agricultural Valuer.

Jayne Drummond Bsc (Hons), MBA (Dist) Business Manager Jayne our business manager joined Herbert R Thomas in 2003 after graduating in Cardiff with a honours degree in International Business Management. Jayne completed her MBA with Distinction in 2009, and is now studying for her ACCA qualification. Jayne is responsible for the management of the finance department, HR, IT and the general smooth running of our offices.

James Mordecai BSc (Hons), MRICS Commercial Surveyor James joined Herbert R Thomas in 2007 as a commercial surveyor. He graduated from The Royal Agricultural College Cirencester with a honors degree in Property Agency and Marketing and qualified as a Chartered Surveyor in June 2010. James is involved in all aspects of Commercial agency which includes acquisitions and disposals of Industrial, Retail and Office property together with Development land. James has acted on behalf of Bridgend County Borough Council, Welsh Health Estates, Welsh Ambulance Services NHS Trust, Arlington Green, LEL Properties Ltd, Charnwood Group, RS Bird Ltd, SIPP Centre, Charles Church Wales Ltd and numerous private clients. He is a former pupil of Cowbridge Comprehensive school and a current Councellor and Trustee of Llangan Community Council.

Anna Cheney BA (Hons), MTP, MRTPI Town & Country Planning Anna deals with all aspects of Town and Country planning at the practice. With over 12 years experience gained from both the private and public sectors she understands the system from a policy and commercial perspective allowing her to provide up to date pragmatic and realistic advice. Her experience covers both the English and Welsh planning systems through a range of from individual landowners seeking permission for a single dwelling to large bluechip organisations progressing office schemes in excess of 500,000 sq ft. Anna is a chartered member of the RTPI and provides a full range of planning services in all development sectors.

Lucy Welch BSc (Hons) City and Regional Planning Assistant Planner Lucy joined HRT as an assistant planner in 2011 after graduating from Cardiff University with an honours degree in City and Regional Planning. Lucy has had experience in both the public and private sectors and has a working knowledge of both the English and Welsh planning systems. She is working towards becoming chartered with the Royal Town Planning Institute and is a licentiate member of the RTPI at present. She has a good knowledge of the Vale of Glamorgan having been brought up in the nearby village of St Nicholas and educated in Cowbridge Comprehensive School. Lucy is a member of staff at her local Air Training Corps Squadron and in the past 10 years in the organisation has undertaken flying and gliding scholarships, her Bronze, Silver and Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Awards, the 100 mile Nijmegen Marches in Holland five times and in addition to this she has also represented South Glamorgan as Lord Lieutenant’s Cadet. As a consequence, she was awarded a Young Achievers Award at a Garden Party in Buckingham Palace in 2008. Lucy is also an outdoor enthusiast and a qualified hill walking, climbing, kayaking and canoeing instructor. This has allowed her to lead expeditions of school children and Air Cadets to far flung places such as Everest Base Camp in Nepal and the High Atlas Mountains in Morocco.

Sian Taylor Residential Rental Manager Sian joined Herbert R Thomas to develop and expand our rental department in 2005. Sian prides herself on offering a high level of service and commitment to both prospective tenants and landlords. Her knowledge of the area is extensive as she was brought up in the nearby village of Penllyn and was educated at Cowbridge Comprehensive School.

Michelle Thomas Rental Negotiator Michelle has recently joined Herbert R Thomas to support and expand the lettings department. Michelle has worked in the property sector for several years both as a manager and a rental negotiator / valuer in and around the Bridgend area so therefore Michelle has a wealth of knowledge and experience in this area. Michelle has lived in the Bridgend area for the last thirty years, attending primary schools in Bryncethin and Brackla and then Brynteg Comprehensive School and Bridgend College. Michelle personally has a small rental property portfolio so she has experience as both a landlord and a letting agent.

Alison Ginn Bsc, MRICS, FAAV Consultant Chartered Surveyor After graduating from the University of Edinburgh, Alison worked for a national firm of Surveyors and qualified as a Chartered Surveyor in 1991. She also passed her CAAV exams that year. Alison spent a short period at the Valuation Office in Cardiff and joined Herbert R Thomas in 1995. Alison deals with all aspects of professional work involving agricultural, commercial and residential properties. She specialises in compensation matters. She has acted and acts for many public and private clients, including Barratt Homes, Bellway Homes, Bridgend County Borough Council, Gallagher Estates, Heron Land, Redrow, South Gloucestershire County Council and the WDA.

Edmund Miles BSc (Agric) FRICS, FAAV Consultant Chartered Surveyor Edmund joined Herbert R Thomas in 1965 after graduating from Reading University with a degree in Agriculture in 1960. He became a partner in 1968, a fellow of The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors in 1973 and a fellow of The Central Association Agricultural Valuer in 1975. Edmund has over 40 years experience on the rostrum and in the agricultural property market. Clients include: National Developers Persimmon Homes, Barratt South Wales and Redrow Homes. Local Developers include Llanmoor Homes and Lewis Homes. Edmund retired as Senior Partner in December 2007 although continues as a consultant.

Robert Thomas MA (Dip.Estate Man) Cantab, FRICS, FAAV Consultant Chartered Surveyor Robert son of the founder Herbert R Thomas joined the company in 1952 after graduating from Queens College Cambridge with a first class MA in Estate Management. Robert is a fellow of The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors and of The Central Association Agricultural Valuers. Robert became a partner in 1954 and retired from the partnership in the early 90’s to become a consultant to the present day. Robert was a Cambridge Blue in boxing and also represented Queen’s College as an amateur steeplechase jockey.

Rachel Thomas BA (Hons) Trainee Surveyor & Market Administrator Rachel joined Herbert R Thomas in September 2010. She has a 2.2 in English studies from the University of Glamorgan. Rachel is currently completing a post graduate degree in surveying. She is currently working along side the senior surveyors gaining hands on experience. Rachel was brought up on a hill sheep farm which has given her significant knowledge of the livestock and agricultural sector and is actively involved with Llantrisant Young Farmers Club. Rachel assists in the smooth running of the livestock markets, machinery and property auctions.

Olivia Calcaterra BA (Hons) Graduate Trainee Surveyor Olivia joined HRT as a graduate trainee surveyor in September 2011 after graduating from the University of Birmingham with a 2:1 degree in History. Olivia is working in the commercial department assisting James Mordecai and gaining as much experience as she can. She is also involved with the auction department, organising and acquiring properties for our upcoming auctions. Olivia is currently studying towards her Postgraduate Diploma in Surveying. She will then go on to complete her APC and become a fully qualified chartered surveyor. Raised in Cowbridge and educated at Cowbridge Comprehensive Olivia has a good knowledge of the Vale of Glamorgan

Carys Morgan MNAEA Branch Manager Neath Carys has an extensive knowledge and experience of customer facing industry as she worked for a major retailer for approx 24 years as a Regional Human Resources. This enabled her to enhance her business management and people skills. She then developed a career in Estate Agency and has gained a wealth of knowledge of the property market over the past 10 years. She is a qualified member of the National Association of Estate Agents. Carys joined Herbert R Thomas in October 2009. Responsible for managing the smooth running of our Neath Branch and conducts residential Valuations for Sales and lettings, conducts viewings and sales negotiations. Carys believes in Exceeding Customer expectations and has a passion for delivering a great customer service.

Janet Davies Sale & Lettings Negotiator Janet has worked for Herbert R Thomas for over 10 years as a Sales Negotiator and has a wealth of knowledge of the surrounding area. Janet administers and negotiates the Sales and Lettings for the Neath branch. Her enthusiasm and determination to succeed is evident in her approach to her role