RACHEL RITSON Managing Director

WATCH OR READ ALL ABOUT RACHEL’S JOURNEY HERE

Rachel best describes her role as being the captain of the ship!  She makes sure the company is heading in the right direction, at the right speed and adjusting the coordinates as and when necessary.  Responsible for the strategy and direction of the company, day to day work involves ensuring our people, systems and brand are working cohesively and aligned with our culture and company values of passion, honesty, expertise, consideration and potential.  Her main priority is to ensure the whole team are engaged and enjoying their work… a happy team means happy customers.

Prior to joining Grisdales, Rachel had her own business working for a number of local companies, providing accounts and management information and before moving to West Cumbria almost 25 years ago, Rachel worked for the international company Dupont.

Rachel joined Grisdales over 20 years ago and as the business grew so did her responsibilities. Over the years her day to day became heavily estate agency orientated and by the end of 2014 Rachel was solely managing the business, before becoming full owner of the company in 2016. 

 Rachel is a member of the Association of Residential Lettings Agents and continues to develop her knowledge and skills with a number of qualifications in Business Management.  Having carried out the Women in Cumbria Taking The Lead programme, alongside a Level 4 qualification in Business Management, Rachel loves learning and has been a member of The Property Academy since 2013, this included being part of the highly esteemed Leadership Summit programme – Leadership Summit

Having three children, three step children, and two grandchildren with one on the way, Rachel has a busy home life and loves nothing more than family get togethers.  Keeping fit and healthy are also a passion with running and walking the fells, on the agenda most weekends… and of course there’s always time to chill out and relax with husband Neil!

LAURA WEIR Property Marketing Manager

Laura is responsible for visiting new properties to give vendors advice on marketing their homes. She also places new homes on the market; including taking photographs and measurements and drafting brochures.  She is responsible for reviewing property marketing progress and securing price reductions where appropriate. What’s more; she draws up probate and landlord valuation reports, is occasional cover for the front office negotiating team and she also attends the sales steering committee meetings.

Laura has been with Grisdales for several years in many roles and has enjoyed all she has done. She started her career in banking, but was also a dental receptionist for ten years – so her career history is varied! She has a Level 3 ILM (Institute of Learning and Management) in Management and is a people person – dealing with people is what she does best!

Laura has lived in Workington for almost five years, she has two grown up children and two grandsons, all whom she enjoys spending time with! For Laura, nothing beats running around Whinlatter Forest with small children (releasing your inner child!). She also loves socialising, restaurants, cooking, city breaks at the weekend and she loves holidays (the hotter and sunnier the better!) Laura also loves visiting the South of England where the rest of her family live. Since she was 20, she has had approximately 30 different homes, so we think she is well qualified for her job!

LESLEY DALY Property Marketing Manager

Lesley joined Grisdales in 2017 as their Weekend Receptionist after she had taken short break from work following the birth of her little girl Ella. Lesley progressed on to Letting Negotiator taking a full time position and is now the Property Marketing Manager covering Whitehaven, Workington and surrounding areas.

Lesley has always worked in a customer service and sales roles, spending her previous 5 years as a Client Services Advisor progressing to a Client Accountant.

She lives in Whitehaven with her partner Andrew, her daughter Ella Amelia-Lilly and at weekends her stepdaughter Emma Louise