Rachel Ritson is 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.
Meet Destiny, Manager of the Land and New Homes department.
With a keen focus on West Cumbria, she specialises in identifying and bringing exciting land and new homes opportunities to the region. Destiny collaborates with a diverse range of professionals, including landowners, housebuilders, architects, and planners, to help our partners unlock the full potential of their investments and achieve maximum profitability. Her extensive market intelligence allows her to stay ahead of the game, and she always looks forward to connecting with like-minded individuals throughout Cumbria and beyond.
Connect with Destiny Evans on LinkedIn to stay up-to-date with the latest developments and opportunities in the dynamic world of land and new homes.
Say hello to Alison, our Lettings Client Services Manager, who has been an essential part of our team since 2014. Although she graduated from University with a BA in Education Studies, Alison decided to follow a different path.
With over 20 years of experience in various customer service roles, including retail, banking, and recruitment, Alison found her calling in the estate agency industry. She excels in her role, providing exceptional service and support to our clients. In fact, she completed the Level 3 Course in Residential Letting and Property Management in November 2019, demonstrating her commitment to delivering a personalised and professional experience.
Being a lifelong resident of Cumbria, Alison has an impressive knowledge of the area, allowing her to offer valuable advice and insights. When she's not assisting our clients, you can find her exploring the beautiful fells, hitting the gym, or enjoying quality time with friends and family.
Meet Carolann, the friendly face and Sales Negotiator at our Cockermouth branch. She's our office's very own "matchmaker," dedicated to finding and connecting potential buyers with their dream homes. From conducting property viewings to managing and negotiating offers, Carolann oversees every step of the sales process. She goes above and beyond during the final stages to ensure a smooth completion, offering unwavering support and guidance to our clients.
Before joining our team in 2022, Carolann gained experience in various customer-oriented roles, including working with children. Her knack for multitasking, honed during her time in these roles, proves invaluable in the fast-paced world of property sales.
When Carolann isn't busy at the office, she can be found camping in the great outdoors with her family. Equipped with their trusty rooftop tent, Carolann, her partner, and their children embark on thrilling adventures across the country. When they're not exploring, Carolann cherishes quality time at home with her loved ones, enjoying meals out, and making lasting memories with friends.
Meet Daria, our experienced Lettings Negotiator who recently joined the team. Her role is vital in connecting tenants and landlords as she oversees the entire rental process, from marketing properties and searching for tenants to conducting viewings, negotiating agreements, and guiding tenants through the application process.
Originally from Russia, Daria has embarked on an exciting journey across Europe, residing in Germany, Spain, and now England. With 25 years of experience, including a decade in the letting agency industry, her extensive background adds immense value to our team.
For the past four years, Daria has called England her home, sharing it with her partner, children, and step-children. Together, they cherish the picturesque landscapes of Cumbria, exploring its rural and coastal walks. Daria's love for travel extends beyond her immediate surroundings, and she is impressively fluent in five languages. She also channels her creativity into crafting exquisite gemstone bracelets, which she sells on Etsy.
Meet Beverly! She joined our team in 2019 as an Executive Assistant and has since taken on the role of Business Administrator, providing remote support. With a diverse career spanning Financial Services, Civil Service, and Local Authority in her home County of Northamptonshire, Beverly brings a wealth of experience and expertise to Grisdales.
Although she recently moved to the area, Beverly is already falling in love with Cumbria and all that it has to offer. When she's not busy supporting our team, you can find her tending to her allotment, discovering the hidden gems of the area, or cherishing precious moments with her beautiful granddaughter.
Many of our team have undertaken property qualifications across a range of specialisms. This training ensures our people are equipped with the skills to deliver expertise and a second-to-none service to our clients, whilst consistently meeting industry standards.
Our words...
“I love our team ethos…we work brilliantly as a team and genuinely enjoy looking after our customers. I couldn’t work for any other agent, they just don’t have the passion for the job the way we do”
Meet Laura, our Property Marketing Manager!
Laura’s main role is to help our clients achieve their property goals by ensuring a profitable and smooth sale. She’s the go-to person for valuable advice on how to market your home effectively and get the best price. From developing a personalised marketing strategy to arranging stunning photos and brochures, Laura will make sure your property stands out and attracts potential buyers. While our Client Services Team handles viewings and offers, Laura keeps a close eye on your property’s marketing progress to ensure things are moving forward. She also provides professional property valuations for probate and inheritance tax purposes.
Before joining us, Laura had a career background in banking and dental nursing. Her Level 3 ILM certification in Management and her natural people skills make her a superstar when it comes to connecting with others. Plus, with around 30 different homes under her belt since she was 20, she knows a thing or two about the property market!
Originally from the South of England, Laura has called Workington home for quite some time. But she’s always up for visiting her family and friends down south. When she’s not hard at work, you’ll find Laura having a blast running around Whinlatter Forest with her two grandsons, embracing her inner child. She’s also a social butterfly who loves dining out, cooking, and going on exciting adventures. Whether it’s a quick city break or a sun-soaked getaway, Laura has a passion for exploring new places.
“We all love our job! No two days are the same – and neither are our clients! We take great pride and pleasure in spending whatever time is necessary finding out each story and provide ways to help achieve individual property goals in a friendly, and at the same time, highly professional way.”
“I enjoy meeting potential new tenants and matching them to their perfect property, helping them every step along the way from the application process right through to move in – We are a very close team and all have a great working relationship always helping and working with each other to ensure all our clients get the best possible service throughout”
Meet Lesley, a valued member of the Grisdales team since 2017. She started as a Weekend Receptionist after taking a short break following the birth of her daughter. Since then, Lesley’s dedication and hard work have led her to progress within the company.
Currently, Lesley holds the position of Lead Generation Manager, overseeing the areas of Whitehaven, Workington, and their surroundings. Her role involves identifying potential leads and opportunities to support the growth of our business.
With a background in customer service and sales, Lesley has honed her skills over the years. Prior to joining Grisdales, she spent five years as a Client Services Advisor, eventually transitioning into a Client Accountant role.
Outside of work, Lesley enjoys spending time with her family. She lives in Whitehaven with her husband Andrew and their daughter Ella Amelia-Lilly. On weekends, they are joined by Lesley’s stepdaughter, Emma Louise. In her free time, Lesley’s passion for cars takes centre stage and she can often be found attending the latest car shows.
Find Lesley on LinkedIn.
“We work to support each member of our team both personally and professionally so that they have the skills and experience to support you with your property journey. We work hard and support each other, we relax together and have fun together supporting charity and community”
Introducing Nina, who joined Grisdales back in 2008. What started as a part-time role covering the accounting function has evolved into a full-time position where Nina manages various areas of responsibility. She’s our go-to person for all things finance, HR and payroll, IT and systems administration, as well as overseeing our company infrastructure.
Nina’s career journey has taken her through a diverse range of experiences. From working in the Civil Service to being part of a small privately owned business and even contributing to her own family business, she has always had a strong accounting background. Along the way, she has also embraced opportunities to showcase her adaptability and versatility, taking on additional tasks that complement her skill set.
Outside of the office, Nina thrives on adventures. Whether it’s tackling a new house project, engaging in thrilling outdoor activities, or embarking on a journey of learning and growth, she’s always seeking new experiences.
Connect with Nina on LinkedIn.
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I am very happy with the lettings side of things and Alison has been fantastic, she could not have been more helpful. I would not [...]
Destiny very helpful, Grisdales get the job done!
We just moved in to a tenancy with great relief in this starved market, thanks to Grisdales - their brilliant service through Alison and Jessica [...]
Judith's help has proved invaluable giving us information over and above that which you would expect and all provided in a friendly and relaxed way.
Grisdales were brilliant in helping us sell our house in Whitehaven. They were able to get us a quick sale when other estate agents [...]
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