Meet The Team

Chris has nearly 15 years’ experience in estate agency, having worked throughout Exeter and East Devon. He prides himself on being ‘Exeter born & bred’ and has in depth knowledge of the city and surrounding areas. Chris loves being an estate agent enjoys working for Whitton & Laing because like him, great customer service is a real passion and something he always strives for in his work. Now married and living in Exmouth, in his spare time Chris also likes to relax and play golf. 

Having joined Whitton & Laing’s Sales Team in 2013 Mary brings her friendly enthusiasm into her role as a Senior Negotiator and thrives on offering a highly personal bespoke service in what can be a stressful event in clients’ lives.
With over ten years experience in the local property market, Mary brings a wealth of experience and property knowledge.
Having graduated from Exeter University in 2002 Mary set up her own property developing business with her partner, buying, selling, building and renovating over twenty properties in Exeter and the surrounding villages. This has gained her extensive practical knowledge and experience in this field and a passion for period property and issues relating to old buildings in particular.
Living in Silverton, she loves village life with her partner and young son Jack and enjoys long walks and keeping fit, literature, the arts and travelling whenever there’s an opportunity.

Tom has over 5 years of experience in the industry and joined us after working for an independent estate agent in East Devon. An experienced sales negotiator working closely with clients throughout all aspects of the sales process, Tom prides himself on providing excellent customer service having also had experience working in this industry. In his spare time, he enjoys keeping active with a variety of sports and spending time with friends and family.

An estate agent for over 36 years Symon has a wealth of experience in the property industry having worked for most of his career in the Exeter & East Devon area. Joining Whitton & Laing as an Associate Partner in 2015 he is based at our prestigious Exmouth office. He had previously been a Director for another high profile local independent estate agent in the area also working mainly in Exmouth & Budleigh Salterton. Symon is also a qualified Domestic Energy Assessor as well as a Green Deal Advisor and provides EPC’s for the company. A past Devon Chairman and fellow of the National Association of Estate Agents, he was awarded the Certificate of Practice in Estate Agency, in 2002.

Symon was born in Exmouth where he still lives. His main interests outside of work include sailing and rugby. Past Commodore of the Exe Sailing Club and season ticket holder at Exeter Chiefs. 

Mark started out as a part of the Sales Department in the Exeter in 1986 and now more recently as assistant manager in Exmouth, handling all types of residential property and building up a loyal client base and a number of professional contacts.  Mark grew up in East Devon and went to school in Exeter and then worked for a year for a family firm of estate agents in Dawlish.  Seeing sales progress from start to finish is certainly the most rewarding part of the business and receiving kind and positive feedback from clients we have acted for is brilliant.

Outside of work, Mark is passionate about antiques and is a keen collector with a particular interest in early English pottery.  In his spare time, Mark likes nothing more than going to auctions and antiques fairs and is a regular visitor to The Cotswolds and London.  Mark is a keen supporter of a particular animal charity and is an avid follower of Coronation Street! 

Having been in Estate Agency for over 26 years, 12 of which was spent in Budleigh Salterton, Pam Preston joined the company in 2002 as Secretary/Administrator for residential sales when the Exmouth office first opened.  Pam has lived in Exmouth all of her life and has a great deal of local knowledge and enthusiasm for the town and surrounding areas alike, giving clients and colleagues the benefit of her experience in both sales and admin, while also demonstrating commitment in her role to the highest standards of service and customer care in order to try and make the moving process as stress free as possible.
During her ‘out of office’ hours Pam is a keen member of ‘Renaissance’ - a four-part harmony chorus in Exmouth town, where she sings with over 40 other ladies who often participate in local and foreign music festivals and, many charity concerts during the year; one of the most prestigious being at one of Exeter Cathedral’s many Christmas singing events.  She also likes to participate in other charity events, the most recent being a sponsored ‘SkyDive’ on behalf of Hospiscare when, with the help of her company, she raised over £1,000.

As head of the very successful lettings department, Alison strives to maintain a personal, friendly lettings service.  With an Honours Degree in Estate Management Alison is now a partner in the firm having worked for Whitton & Laing since 1995, Alison believes her many years experience in the property industry, enables her to give the very best advice to Landlords and Tenants.

Alison is proud of the quality of the lettings portfolio at Whitton & Laing, built up over many years and is determined to ensure that ongoing future expansion will not be at the expense of continuing to offer a personal, customer friendly service, as she continues to build the business on reputation. Although born in Exeter, she takes full advantage of our beautiful beaches and coastline, enjoying kayaking, boating and fishing and is often found caravanning near the coast in her spare time! Interestingly she is also a keen paper crafter!

As head of the very successful lettings department, Alison strives to maintain a personal, friendly lettings service.  With an Honours Degree in Estate Management Alison is now a partner in the firm having worked for Whitton & Laing since 1995, Alison believes her many years experience in the property industry, enables her to give the very best advice to Landlords and Tenants.

Alison is proud of the quality of the lettings portfolio at Whitton & Laing, built up over many years and is determined to ensure that ongoing future expansion will not be at the expense of continuing to offer a personal, customer friendly service, as she continues to build the business on reputation. Born in Exeter, Alison still lives in the City with her family.  She is a keen paper crafter, takes full advantage of our beautiful beaches and coastline, enjoying kayaking, boating and fishing and is often found caravanning near the coast in her spare time!

Lianna joined us in late 2016 as our Lettings Manager. 

As a customer focused individual, she endeavours to deliver an excellent service by building and maintaining lasting relationships with Landlords and tenants. 

In order to fulfil her role as Lettings Manager, Lianna believes in a friendly, professional approach which focuses on the customer and their individual needs. 

When not working hard in the office she enjoys socialising with friends and family, going abroad on holiday, long walks on the beach and shopping sprees which happen a little bit too often! 

Katie joined us in December 2017 as our Senior Lettings Negotiator.

She has been in the property industry since 2013 and she is a very enthusiastic person who prides herself in providing a consistantly excellent level of customer service, always doing her best to ensure that this is to the highest standard 

When she's not working Katie enjoys spending time with family and meeting up with friends as well as travelling abroad at every opportunity!

Coupled with a keen interest in the history of UK housing, his HNC in Construction and BSc in Architectural Engineering leave Alex with a broad understanding of the built environment. Deepening his understanding of the trade, he is now working towards an MSc in Building Surveying and an MRICS. Taking pride in his attention to detail and diligence in projects, he is developing his skillset with guidance from Martyn Burnett. After hours he can be found photographing Devon’s landscape and architecture.

Julie is the Head of Estate & Apartment Block Management and a partner at Whitton & Laing.  Julie leads the department with the philosophy that ‘people are as important as property’, a view that is installed within every member of the team, which we believe has contributed to the success of the business in recent years. As well as communicating well with residents at all levels, she feels it important to develop a good working relationship with contractors in order to ensure the best possible levels of service for our clients.

Whilst her family are not originally from the West Country, Julie was born and educated in Exeter and is well known amongst the local professional community, having worked in both the commercial and residential property sectors in Exeter and Bristol for over 25 years, the last 21 being with Whitton & Laing in Exeter.  When she is not working, she enjoys spending precious time with family and entertaining friends and when not shaking her famous cocktails, can be found doing similar at the local Zumba class!

Ruth has a longstanding background of property maintenance and management spanning the last 20 years, together with running the management of the development in which she has lived for a number of years and is, therefore, very much in tune with the needs and requirements of a group of residents!

Joining Whitton & Laing early in 2014, Ruth is thriving on the challenges of being ‘on the other side of the fence’ and having always worked with the general public, is enjoying building new relationships with residents within her new portfolio of properties and organising major works for the year ahead.

Living in Exeter, but having spent time living and working in Bristol, Ruth is familiar with the South West Region.  Ruth’s philosophy in life, which she has passed onto her grown up family, is always to treat people as you would like to be treated yourself.

Ian joined Whitton & Laing after a full and distinguished career in the Royal Navy, culminating in the Meritorious Service Medal.  Originating from the South East, Ian was educated in Hove, Sussex, before moving to the South West, living Plymouth for 15 years and then moving to Exeter.

After performing a wide and varied amount of roles for the MoD in both Housing and Executive roles, his final role was overseeing the rented accommodation for over 150 families that made up the UK contingent of NATO forces throughout Italy.

Ian has a proactive approach to property management and takes time to try and plan long term to ensure that there is a comprehensive understand of what is needed in the future.  Approachable and keen to resolve problems, he is thoroughly enjoying the challenges of Property Management. Ian’s portfolio covers properties in Somerset, East Devon and Plymouth, where his local knowledge of the area is very valuable.

After leaving university in 2003, Martin’s first full time job was in logistics, starting at 4am every day! He then progressed into maintenance and lettings, leading to property management from 2010 onwards. He joined the Whitton and Laing Property Management Team in December 2015. Martin mostly spends his time out and about with his partner and young daughter. He is a supporter of Nottingham Forest (which he claims he was tricked into as a child), a keen squash player, occasional 5-a-side footballer and loves a pub quiz. He also enjoys walking on the moors and around the coastline.

Ashley grew up and was educated in Newton Abbot before moving to Oxford 6 years ago following a career break travelling the world.

Having worked in property management during his time in Oxfordshire, Ashley decided to move back to the Devon at the end of 2018.

Happy and approachable, Ashley is enjoys building relationships and providing great customer service.

When not at work Ashley enjoys playing basketball, kayaking and walking. He also enjoys cooking as well as eating out as much as he can.

Melanie moved from Surrey with her family to the South West in 2002 to buy a hotel in Lyme Regis.  As a Cordon Bleu trained chef and a bookeeper she was kept very busy in her new venture.  She then purchased a new hotel in Paignton followed by a bookeeping role in Exeter in an auction house.

In 2010 she took a big change in career towards the Lettings industry.  After a year as a Lettings Negotiator and after passing her Technical Award with Arla she then became a Lettings Manager for 6 years.  Melanie believes that knowledge and being up to date with the latest legislation is vital to carrying out any role to its full potential. 

After an 18 month break to follow her unspent dreams of being a Chalet Host in the Alps, she is happy to be back in Exeter fully emerged in her new role in Block Management. 

I have always lived in Exmouth other than for a period when I studied Fashion & Textiles in Bristol for 3 years. Following the purchase of my first home that I realised just how much the property industry interested me and this encouraged me to start working within the sector. I have worked within the industry for nearly 5 years dealing with both Sales and lettings and pride myself on delivering excellent customer service and building relationships with people. 

In my free time I enjoy spending time with my little boy, husband and dog. We love to holiday and make new memories s a family. 

Ellie comes from an administration background, with the last 7 years being in the manufacturing industry and domiciliary care sector. Ellie enjoys the busy working environment and prides herself on being organised, hard-working and ready to face any challenge! In her spare time, Ellie enjoys spending time with family and friends and also walking her three dogs along the beach and common.

Having arrived at Whitton & Laing at the age of 15 on ‘work experience’ shy but a little cheeky, Whitney Parmenter must have made a good impression as she never left!

Working throughout the holidays and weekends of her final year of school and studies at college, over the years, Whitney inherited the skills required when working in Estate & Apartment Block Management; diplomacy, practicality and calm whilst juggling various different balls.

Now Whitney is an experienced Estate & Apartment Block Manager with a portfolio of properties in Exeter, Plymouth, East and Mid Devon areas and is well experienced in dealing with whatever conundrums the job throws at her, where appropriate doing so with a generous sprinkling of good humour!

During the working day, Whitney is responsible for the maintenance of the structure and communal areas of apartment buildings and estates and during the evenings and weekends, is currently renovating her new home. When there is not a paintbrush or drill in her hand, a glass of wine will often be in its place as she enjoys socialising with friends and family on a regular basis.

Juliette originally comes from a background in retail and having enjoyed working with the general public, but feeling that she was ready for a new challenge, joined Whitton & Laing’s Estate Agency in 2002, before moving to Estate & Apartment Block Management two years’ later and enjoys the busy working environment, feeling that no two days are ever the same! 

Juliette was born in Colchester, but moved to Princetown 43 years’ ago and later settling in Exeter.  She enjoys camping, cooking and socialising with friends.

Denise worked within the life assurance and investment sector for 30 years, during which time she took a break to raise her two young children.

She joined Whitton & Laing in 2009 and is one of the main contacts for clients calling the office, dealing with day-to-day maintenance issues and assisting the Property Managers.  Denise enjoys being part of our busy team and the satisfaction of solving any problems which may come her way.
 
Denise’s other role is as Mum to her teenage Sons and she also assists her Husband with his business, all of which keep her fit and very busy when she is not working hard in the office!

Emma is originally from Cornwall but has lived in Exeter for most of her life. As well as having vast experience in client support and liason Emma is also a Cabin Manager at Easyjet and has worked there for the last 14 years and still now on a part time basis, getting to see some of Europe’s finest airports! Emma has joined our team to work alongside her flying career. Emma lives in Exeter with her family and has a dog called Coco. She has recently taken up the hobby of hiking and exploring the coastal paths around this beautiful part of the country. In 2018 she was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis but she hasn’t let this stop her from enjoying life to the full with her family and friends who have been a massive support.