Staff Profiles

Andrew Halliwell

Andrew Halliwell

A little bit about me:
At the age of 17 a friend of my father introduced me to estate agency in Northampton. If I’m honest the fact that he had a brand new Mercedes Benz and a private aeroplane might have influenced my decision to get in to the business! So that was it I was hooked on property at an early age and having served my apprenticeship in Northamptonshire I headed south to East Horsley as a 19 year old in 1978 where I joined a well-respected practice called Bridgers. I moved up through the ranks from negotiator, senior negotiator and manager and then the bombshell hit and Bridgers were sold very quickly changing to a ‘corporate animal’. My working ethos has always been about knowing your client and providing a service that was second to none. This became an impossibility with the new regime, so it was time to head out and go it alone in partnership with another disenchanted ex Bridgers employee. This is when Henshaws was born in the early part of 1987.
The decision then came as to whether we expand expand expand, but potentially lose our identity or stay fervently independent and continue with the ethos we had been brought up on. There was only one real answer to that question! It’s the way I am and it’s what drives me on, it’s what gets me out of bed in the morning.
And when I’m not at work:
So what do I do when I’m not selling houses? My main passion is sailing which takes up most weekends and I also enjoy golf (average handicap) and skiing (get down any hill but not very pretty). In addition there are the scores for West Ham United & Northampton Town to look out for and Northampton Saints rugby.

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Timothy Pearce

Timothy Pearce

A Little Bit about me:
Married to my lovely and very understanding wife Ann for 23 years (being in agency and a passion for sport she needs to be!) we have 2 grown up children and have lived and worked in the Surrey and south west London area for nearly 26 years. After working abroad for a number of years I returned to these shores in 1990 deciding on a change of direction in terms of career. With property being the chosen path I joined a large corporate organisation gaining invaluable knowledge of the South West London property market. In 1995 I joined Henshaws as a branch manager and then in 2006 and on the retirement of the previous partner took over the running of the company with my now Co-Director Andrew Halliwell. Our ethos remains the same today as it was then to provide a first class and personal service with all staff being prepared to go that extra mile to hopefully put a smile on the faces of all our clients.

What I do out of work:
Sport has always been my passion and in particular tennis which I have played for as long as I can remember and even though I am not quite as agile around the court as I was in my younger years I still get tremendous pleasure from the odd victory (not as many as I would like!) against the younger generation. Other sporting interests include the gym (occasionally!) and golf (even more occasionally!). Outside actually participating in sport I love nothing better than following the mighty Reds … Liverpool and my local team Woking.

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Graham Clarke

Graham Clarke

A little bit about me:
After graduating in Economics at Loughborough University in the early 1990s my first career was in advertising sales where I received the best sales training available whilst working in central London. I worked on a number of publications including Total Film & The Week and even a small stint on Caravan Plus! As a new century dawned it was time for a change, I had met my wife Karen and was disillusioned with the publishing world so decided to follow in my Fathers’ footsteps who had worked in property all his life as a Chartered Surveyor, and the rest, they say, is history. I joined Henshaws in 2002 and after a short stint in the Bookham office have been holding the fort in East Horsley ever since.

And when I’m not at work:
I have 2 daughters Lily & Alice who keep me busy outside the office especially now as I coach hockey with Alice every Sunday at Old Cranleighans HC. I try to go for a run three times a week but manage once and have been known to visit my local bootcamp. I can both ski and snowboard being better at the latter and love a country walk in the Surrey Hills.

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Debbie Richardson

Debbie Richardson

A little bit about me:
Having worked within the property industry in various forms for most of my working life, from Conveyance Solicitors/Developers and Estate Agents I was tempted to join Henshaws in 1999 at a time when henshaws were expanding their Lettings Department. After several months of ‘in house training’ and qualifying as a member of ARLA I hit the floor running and have not looked back since. I thoroughly enjoy the varied aspects of a Lettings Department and the often diverse dealings with both Landlord and Tenants, that coupled with keeping on top and ahead of the constant change of legislation within the Industry leads to wide-ranging challenges. I believe and always strive for a high level of customer service but with very much an individual personal touch

And when I’m not at work:
Similarly my time outside of Henshaws is also stimulating. I am lucky to have a ‘grown up’ family, and three delightful grandchildren, it’s true what they say, grandchildren are great fun and you can give them back at the end of the day!. Coupled with trying to stay fit, there never seems to be a dull moment.

I enjoy walking and appreciate the beautiful Surrey Hills countryside nearby, however, having been lucky enough to travel the world vising friends and family my interest in the culture and scenery of other countries never diminishes. I am a member of a local gym, always endeavouring to go more often… which seems to be the bigger task!

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Matthew Lewis

Matthew Lewis

A little bit about me:
I was born in Guildford, schooled and brought up in the local area until I graduated from University of Bristol with my degree in marketing. I returned back to my roots and decided to take up 2 weeks work experience at one of local estate agents and 12 years on they still have not got rid of me! Must have done something right! Having working in the construction industry during my teenage years into my early 20’s I have always found property interesting and how people adapt and change I to suit their lifestyles. So putting together my passion and understanding of building combined with my marketing background, this seems a good path for me to follow. Seeing Henshaws friendly warm and local values combined with their positive customers focus it make it a lovely environment to work in within the agency world. The ability to give a client focus approach rather than looking solely at the figures and selling secondary product enables me to treat the client as number 1. My proudest moment was winning “Personality of the year award” at the local Surrey property awards.

And when I’m not at work:
Out of work I enjoy swapping the green countryside for the alpine life style to enjoy the skiing but more importantly the après ski that goes with it. When am dragged back to reality and have to work to pay for this I enjoy walking my springer spaniel (Monty) round the stunning countryside we have the Surrey Hills then relaxing watching the rugby sampling a few beers.

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Richard Wallington

Richard Wallington

A little bit about me:
Having left Cranleigh School in 1985 and a short service commission in the army cut short due to an injury, I started working in Estate Agency as a trainee negotiator in Cobham where I stayed until the early 1990’s. After a short stint working on the Weekend FT property supplement, I was working out of St Martin’s House in East Horsley for a developer in the role of Sales and Marketing Manager, selling large detached houses on St George’s Hill and Cobham.

When the lure of being young and wanting to live in London became too strong I moved to Putney where I bought into an Estate Agency with offices in Putney and Fulham, where we ran both sales and lettings departments. However as the years went by, family reasons brought me back to East Horsley and for the last seven years I have been working in the area. I am absolutely thrilled to be working for Henshaws, a firm I have always admired for their honesty and ability to be straight forward. A rare and valuable commodity these days amongst the corporate animals of today. With a wealth of knowledge and experience in the London and Surrey property market I am thoroughly enjoying working at Henshaws.

And when I’m not at work:
In my spare time, I like to paint and have been exhibited in a south west London gallery. I am also very interested in Buddhism and attend the Buddhist Society in Victoria.

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Janet Exworthy

Janet Exworthy

A little bit about me:
My parents moved here late 50’s from Wandsworth and my sister and I grew up here having a great time. From leaving Howard of Effingham school I worked for Barclays Bank for many years in marketing, helping build local businesses and working in the private sector.

Then after having my two lovely children, Emma and Michael I went back to work for Barclays twice! Glutton for punishment you might think….

In between the kids growing up I’ve been a child-minder, worked in a local junior school, progressing to a secondary school (challenging, but very interesting and rewarding) and cleaned in an office block.

I started working for henshaws as a weekend sales negotiator in 1998 and in November 2010 I was able to come on board full time splitting my working week at Horsley and our Bookham office.
I’m now full time at our Bookham branch and still thoroughly enjoying it!

I love the buzz of meeting people, listening to their wish list and then finding them their new property. You meet all types of people so it’s never the same every day. The job can be challenging at times especially when managing a sale which might have difficulties, but it’s a great feeling when you know your input made the exchange happen. I also enjoy being invited back to a property to see what the new owner has done!


And when I’m not at work:
In my spare time I love seeing my kids who have flown from the nest, and meeting up with friends.
Interests include theatre, after previously treading the boards with Leatherhead Operatic Society, playing the piano (I need more practise!) listening to music, gardening and garden design, travelling, enjoying the local countryside at the weekend and cooking.

Oh by the way, I make a yummy coffee and walnut cake!

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Suzie Coker

Suzie Coker

A little bit about me:
After many years in a construction recruitment consultant role my career diversified within recruitment to accommodation, housing employees in rental properties who were working away from home on long term projects. I progressed to Accommodation Manager and whilst managing the employee’s tenancies my time was predominantly spent dealing with Letting Agents & Property Managers and my interest just grew and grew in the industry and my recruitment career was over! It felt like a natural progression when I started to apply for Property Managers roles with a new enthusiasm and my career change and subsequent appointment at Henshaws is definitely the best decision I have ever made and wish I had done it years ago! At Henshaws we pride ourselves in our personal approach to all our landlords and tenants, taking the time to get to know them and build lasting relationships with them all. I love to hear what’s going on in their worlds and pick up on conversations when we meet again, this friendly approach often assists me in carrying out my job, the tenants and landlords are often more understanding of how difficult my role is as Property Manager…. as at the end of the day people only ring me when something is wrong. No two days are ever the same and I continue to grow in my position as Property Manager supported by a great Henshaws team.

And when I’m not at work:
When I am away from Henshaws my first passion is my family, with my wonderful husband, 4 girls, granddaughter and the family dog, there is often little time for anything else. I love and appreciate my home and the beautiful area we live in, I enjoy the theatre, music, cooking and badminton and of course travel and holidays will always be looked forward to for a breather from a very busy life that I enjoy every minute of!

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Kathryn Weston

Kathryn Weston

A little bit about me:
I have had various Administrator PA roles in my career including my role as a Legal Secretary for a Partner in a firm of solicitors in London in the Private Clients department where I attained skills of speed, accuracy and confidentiality in a highly pressurised environment. When I had my children I started working in a local school as a Special Needs Teaching Assistant which was very rewarding.

When my children were more independent I could then consider working longer hours and started working for Henshaws. I enjoy working at Henshaws as I do feel part of team and one that cares about their customers. I do feel that we aim to provide excellent customer service at all times and go beyond a client’s expectations where possible to help.

And when I’m not at work:
My family are all interested in competitive sport and I am glad to say that my daughter has adopted my passion for netball and has made it into the County squad. During the netball season my weekends seem to be filled with either coaching or playing netball which I love. We all enjoy active and lazy holidays in the sun but my only regret is that my husband is so much better at skiing than I’ll ever be.

Vanessa Churchward-Steel

Vanessa Churchward-Steel

A little bit about me:
I came into the property market late in the game but having had a wealth of experience as my father was a property developer in Wimbledon and Berkshire. In fact I grew up in one of the properties my father designed and built. Long before joining Henshaws I worked for over 15 years in London. First in the brokerage of oil tanker chartering and then in the cut and thrust world of the commodities market. I absolutely loved working in both industries as you never knew from one day to the next how the day would pan out, a bit like the property market! I then took a career break when I married and had my two children. During the intervening years I felt I needed more from life than being a full-time mother and missed the dynamics of working. I have always had a fascination for other people’s houses and began helping a friend run her interior design business with clients in London and the Home Counties for nearly two years.

Following my and my children's move to East Horsley in 2011, I decided to pursue my first real interest estate agency, joining Henshaws in 2012. What a perfect way to combine what I love and get paid in the process. We are a committed bunch and I love everything about working here – we are a one big happy family and couldn’t imagine working anywhere else.

And when I’m not at work:
In my spare time, I love playing tennis having previously played in the Surrey League. Cycling, walking and have been known to put on a pair of skis, skiing quite extensively in France and Switzerland (where I partly grew up). I also love the theatre and am an avid reader. But what I really love to do is spend time with my family and friends.

Hayley Lindsell-Els

Hayley Lindsell-Els

A little bit about me:
I have lived and worked in Surrey for about 30 years and gained an interest in property from when I was the Advertisement Manager for Property Weekly. Previous jobs have included working for The PGA, to working in a bunker in a secret location! Prior to Henshaws I worked for a local Antique Auctioneers which enabled me to enjoy my other passion of collecting/buying/selling Antiques.

I live in Fetcham and have two teenage boys who are both at Therfield School. Life revolves either chauffeuring them around or keeping the fridge permanently stocked! Both boys play for the local cricket and football teams which also gives them a chance to catch up with old friends.

I joined henshaws in September 2017 and was very pleased to see some familiar faces from back in the day at Property Weekly. I love being in the heart of the community meeting new people, seeing new properties and helping to facilitate the sale. Whilst remaining professional we are a very close knit team with a great atmosphere.

And when I’m not at work:
For fun I love to attend the Auctions where I use to work, hoping to find a hidden treasure or an upcycle project to work on. I have a great group of local friends and regularly meet up for fun girlie prosecco nights out or a ramble to one of our many local beautiful National Trust locations.

Shefali Bhavsar

Shefali Bhavsar

A little bit about me:
I’ve been married to my husband, Amit for 18 years we have a daughter, Khushi and have lived and worked in 3 countries (Qatar, Ireland and India), before moving to England. We started renting from henshaws and that’s how I was introduced here. I have a Masters degree in Mathematics that helps me with my Accounting job. Having done accounts for different industries (Distribution company, Property services, Oil & Gas, Construction company, Estate agency) I find henshaws to be a very warm and friendly place which provides a positive work environment. I enjoy it here as I continue to progress and see myself working with henshaws for a long time to come.

And when I’m not at work:
Khushi and Amit keep me very busy with their ever increasing demand for food as I love cooking different cuisines. I enjoy going for country walks in the beautiful Surrey Hills nearby. We try to visit Wisley once every few months to keep up with my passion for gardens. I like reading books and I really love to spend time with my family and friends.