Meet the team

Liam Gavin, Chairman

Interesting fact: I was one of the first people to have my passport endorsed by customs in the newly formed Democratic Republic of Congo ex Zaire on my way to meet the late President Laurent-Desire Kabila to buy coffee in 1997.
Favourite place: The South West Coast Path. The entire walk (the bits that I have done) is beautiful and dramatic with rounded cliffs, river valleys, small bays, granite headlands and even smugglers coves!

Alan Taylor, Managing Director

Interesting fact: I am number 1 on Google UK for the phrase ‘London demeanour’.
Favourite place: Man Sands in Brixham. It is only accessible by walking a mile down a track or driving down a narrow, potholed lane. It’s secluded and quiet even in the height of summer. There are dramatic slate cliffs with some caves for the kids to enjoy and the scenery looking back up the valley that runs down to it is wonderful. Best of all, mobile phones don’t work there.

Maggie Sycamore, Accounts and Administration

Interesting fact: The only horse I have ever ridden was a film star! He had been an ‘extra’ in The Lords of the Rings trilogy. I rode him in 2003 at a farm very near Waitomo in New Zealand just before the final part of the film was released.
Favourite place: Coleton Fishacre. One of the most beautiful houses I have ever seen. It was built for Rupert D'Oyly Carte as a ‘holiday home’ in the 1920’s in the Art Deco style. The gardens meander down to the sea and I would love to retire there if I can persuade someone to buy it for me!!

James Hardy, Online Marketing Manager

Interesting fact: I have a dog who weighs more than I do!
Favourite place: Smuggler's Beach in Shaldon - it's a hidden beach that you can only access via an old smuggler's tunnel.

Martin McIver, SEO Executive

Ewan Davy, PR Manager

Interesting fact: I was almost arrested by armed police for trespassing on Royal land; I sank a kayak outside Windsor Castle during the annual Devizes to Westminster canoe race and swam to shore.
Favourite place: Killerton National Trust House, Devon. During the Autumn the gardens are dramatic, in the Summer they are stunning. The grounds have many miles of glorious walks and they are also home to my local cricket club, Broadclyst CC.

Luke McCaughan, Property Marketing Executive

Interesting fact: I was cast as an extra in a Hollywood movie when the crew were filming on location at the statue of liberty and I stumbled onto the set.
Favourite place: Perranporth Beach. On a warm summer’s day I like nothing more than to head to the beach watering hole and sink a few frosty beverages whilst watching people fall off of their surf boards.

Anthony Dodd, Online Marketing - Affiliates

Interesting fact: I once sold David Dimbleby some oven gloves, and on the same day met Rick Mayall and Martin Johnson at Dartmouth Regatta!
Favourite place: Lyme Regis, Dorset. When you go out onto The Cobb and take in the sun setting with huge panoramic views all the way around you, it’s the perfect place to be. Dartmouth is a close second, watching the sun rise over the river is almost as spectacular.

Allen Legg, IT and Projects Manager

Interesting fact: After visiting an Australian Jazz bar in downtown Mong Kok (in Hong Kong), I ended up playing a bizarre drinking game with local Chinese. I think there must have been something funny in the beer as I didn’t wake up until 4pm the next day!
Favourite place: Warren House Inn, Postbridge, Devon. This is a great place to end up after a long, hard walk over Dartmoor. Surrounded by fantastic views, this historic building offers a range of tasty, local food.

Kerry Curtis, Marketing Assistant

Interesting fact: Last year I spent an afternoon with a Masai Tribe in Kenya.
Favourite place: Totnes in South Devon, a really unique town with great restaurants, pubs and interesting shops.

Jenny Hopper, Bookings Team Leader

Interesting fact: I won a game of darts against Andy Fordham, “The Viking”, who was on a local promotional tour, challenging players to a shoot out on the bull’s eye. At the time he was the British Darts Organisation World Champion. I was thrilled to get to the chance to play him, but to be one of only two people to beat him that evening was pretty amazing.
Favourite place: Drakes Circus in Plymouth as I really enjoy shopping!

Rebecca Bashford, Senior Bookings Advisor

Interesting fact: I use to work in Animal Care and have personally hand-reared 5 baby Macaw Parrots. Also, one afternoon a couple of years ago, I met Dawn French and Lenny Henry in Totnes!
Favourite place: I love to visit Newquay in Cornwall at least once every year. It has everything you need; beautiful beaches, great selection of shops and restaurants and a great nightlife. On a beautiful summer’s day there is nothing like sitting on the terrace at Lewinnick Lodge over looking Fistral Bay, having a cream and tea and just watching the world go by!

Susie Walker, Bookings Advisor

Interesting fact: I have completed one skydive from 14000ft! I'm now looking to complete lots more!
Favourite place: Sharkham Point in Brixham. I take my dog for walks here and it is beautiful at any time of year. From here we also walk down to St Marys Bay Beach which makes you feel like you're a million miles away from anywhere.

Leane Hurley, Bookings Advisor

Interesting fact: I once drove a JCB!
Favourite place: My favourite area is Totnes. I love the food, shops and market. It's a great place to relax and do abit of shopping!

Philip Newnes, Property Development Manager, North Devon

Interesting fact: On the evening of 2nd July 2004 my wife Ann and I spent an evening having dinner with Prince Charles and Camilla Parker-Bowles .
Favourite place: East Portlemouth opposite Salcombe. Approached either by ferry from Salcombe or narrow Devon Lanes, there is a sandy very safe beach for the children, the opportunity for swimming, sailing, beach combing or just lazing the day away on a comfy beach lounger eating Salcombe Ice cream watching all the activity on the Salcombe estuary .

Matthew Boe, Property Development Manager, Dorset

Interesting fact: I once drove from Cherbourg to the French Alps. It took my friend and I 12 days when it should have took 3! When we got there on the first night, I hurriedly brushed my teeth only to realize I’d accidently used the deep heat cream by mistake. My lips and tongue swelled to twice their size!
Favourite place: Dartmoor. I love the views and feeling of escape and relaxation. I also love the River Dart and have canoed it many times.

Jodie Shaw, Property Portfolio Manager, South Cornwall

Interesting fact: On honeymoon in Hawaii and Canada we were lucky enough to Kayak alongside two giant turtles and witness the northern lights which were the two most amazing things I’ve ever seen.
Favourite place: Gwithian Nr St Ives in Cornwall – fairly unknown spot to tourists but amazing coastline and beach – has a great viewing point to see a local colony of sea lions.

Tracey Inness, Property Portfolio Manager, Devon

Interesting fact: I have flown a two-man aeroplane.
Favourite place: St Ives, Cornwall. There are gorgeous sandy beaches and the town is very pretty and unspoilt. There are lots of little art and jewellery shops in the winding streets and some really nice restaurants and pubs. I like nothing better than to sit outside The Sloop overlooking the bay and watch the world go by.