Meet the Team

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! 

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!

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 likes to relax and play golf as he’s convinced he’ll have no spare time when his second child arrives in March. 

Conrad is originally from New Zealand but has lived in the UK for many years. Schooling in Kent then University in London. He moved down to the West Country in 2002 and after a decade running his own business producing measured survey and EPC’s he returned to university in Plymouth to study Building Surveying and the Environment. On completion of his second degree he worked for Cornwall Housing as a surveyor for the asset management team before joining Whitton and Laing’s professional services department.

If he is lucky enough to be allowed spare time he enjoys playing golf, cycling or dabbling in water sports after which he can usually be found enjoying the delights of a local ale house.  

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!

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! 

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.

Sally has had an interesting and varied career having worked in the motor, entertainment and music industries, but the world of property seems to be her passion and Sally brings a refreshing lively approach to a company that believes in proper values and customer service. Sally loves playing tennis and enjoys spending time with her four grown up children. She is the proud mother of a professional footballer and in a previous role was personal assistant to the most well known Rock Band in the world ….Queen!

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.

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.

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!

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. 

Sara joined us in January 2021 as our lettings administrator. She has a real passion for people and property, she prides herself on providing excellent customer service with a positive and committed attitude. In her spare time she enjoys spending family time with her son Connor. She also enjoys spending time  on the beach and walking the beautiful coastline that the South West has to offer. 

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.

Yvonne has enjoyed a career within the property sector spanning 20 years having worked within all aspects of the sector including commercial, residential, land sales and property management.  Since  joining Whitton & Laing in 2012, Yvonne has gained additional knowledge and experience within Health and Safety achieving BOHS P402 Surveying and Sampling Strategies for Asbestos in Buildings qualifications and the NEBOSH National General Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety (NGC1, GC2, GC3). 

Yvonne moved from London to the South West over 25 years ago and feels that this is ‘home sweet home’.  In her spare time Yvonne enjoys cycling, walking and socialising, especially  those regular social evenings and events with her work colleagues.

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. 

Bobby has worked in the holiday lettings industry for 13 since moving to Exmouth in 2006.  He has a unique approach to customer service, together with a vast experience of property maintenance and prides himself on delivering the highest standards. He is an avid reader and a huge Agatha Christie fan. He has a keen interest in history and loves to travel the world.