Our People

Senior Partner, Head of Planning & Development, Rural Land and Compulsory Purchase.

Andrew Wright is a Senior Partner at Kirkby Diamond and heads up the Planning, Development & Compulsory Purchase team. He took over from founding partner Henry Diamond in 2006.

Whilst maintaining strong links with his Rural practice background, Andrew’s specialisation lies in Planning & Development and Compulsory Purchase. He is often called upon to facilitate negotiated settlements in property disputes.

Andrew gives evidence in County Court hearings and in the Lands Tribunal as an expert valuer. He has presented cases at Local Valuation Tribunal and represented clients at Public Inquiry. He also represents clients throughout the UK on property related compensation claims and disputed option and development agreements. His skills are also called upon to prepare proofs of evidence for Arbitration and Mediation hearings.

Luke joined the firm in June 2014 bringing with him a wealth of experience in the industrial and logistics sector having started his career in 2006. He has a prestigious and loyal client base acting for many well-known funds, asset managers and local individuals. He has been responsible for some of the most influential and high profile sales and lettings across the region. He now focusses on strategic commercial land opportunities across the region, forming part of the mid box industrial team.

Luke now oversees the practice management of the firm coupled with forming the strategic direction and general man management across all offices.

Nathan has worked within Bedfordshire and Buckinghamshire for the past 20 years, advising on a wide variety of matters including minerals and waste, rating, valuation, compulsory purchase and development work.

At KD, Nathan works alongside Andrew Wright, specialising in the sale of development sites with and without planning, development appraisals, advising and representing landowners on option and promotion agreements and the negotiation of financial obligations including overage/clawback payments, ransom strips and s106 viability.

Having been involved in several compulsory purchase schemes, Nathan is also able to assist both acquiring authorities in their exercise of compulsory purchase powers, and those individuals and businesses affected by schemes.

Nathan is also a Registered Valuer, predominantly undertaking agricultural valuations for secure lending along with private valuations for a wide range of properties and purposes including of development land and corporate and local authority owned assets and for expert witness and tax purposes.

Alex graduated from Oxford Brookes University having studied Planning and Property Development and was proud to have been awarded the Top Performing Student Award.

His areas of interest include valuation, development planning and land law which will provide an excellent introduction to the varied disciplines of the Planning and Development team.

Alex will be assisting Nathan Andrews and Andrew Wright in their day-to-day roles and will also become actively involved in the assembly, promotion and marketing of development sites across the region.  

A golfer, cricketer and keen shot, Alexander has a competitiveness which shines through in his business acumen.

Alexander is aiming to achieve his chartered status at the earliest opportunity and is delighted to be part of the Kirkby Diamond Team. 

Chris has over sixteen years experience as a planning consultant, having graduated from the University of Sheffield in 1997. He works across both large and small projects, providing both detailed planning and strategic advice.

Chris has experience across a range of development sectors, including leisure and commercial uses. He has particular experience of promoting retail developments. Chris also works in the residential sector, including care homes and retirement schemes.

He is able to provide planning advice at all stages of the development process, from initial site appraisals and advice on development options, through to the submission of applications and appeals. Chris regularly acts as an expert witness at planning inquiries.

Jonathan has over 11 years’ experience working within planning, with 9 years within Local Government, after completing his Masters in Spatial Planning at Oxford Brookes University in 2009. 

He works across a number of sectors including both small and large-scale projects, and has particular experience with Section 106 and CIL matters, having been involved in the Government’s CIL Front Runners Programme and managing the Planning Obligations Team in Local Government for over 6 years prior to becoming a planning consultant.  

Jonathan can provide planning advice for a range of schemes from the inception of a proposal through to the submission of applications and the provision of specific advice for CIL or Section 106 queries, negotiation support and completion of CIL forms / Section 106 Legal Agreements.  

Adam qualified as a Chartered Surveyor in 2016 having trained at the Kirkby Diamond.

Adam is the Head of Kirkby Diamond’s Valuation Department where he provides advice to clients on a variety of commercial and residential properties, using his knowledge of technical property matters and the local property markets.

Enthusiastic about property, Adam’s specialties include valuations for a multitude of purposes including secured lending, portfolio, development, taxation and acquisition purposes. Adam regularly acts for Freeholders and Leaseholders on residential Leasehold Reform (Lease Extension) cases and Commercial Landlord Tenant matters.

In his spare time, Adam can often be heard playing his guitar or seen walking his dog, normally via a nice pub…

Mark has a wealth of experience in both the professional and agency sectors across the industrial, office and retail markets, which enables him to provide in depth commercial property knowledge and advice to clients.  

Having started his career at Kirkby Diamond in 2007, undertaking a wide variety of general practice work across Buckinghamshire and Bedfordshire, Mark qualified as a chartered surveyor in 2010 before moving to London and joining the valuation advisory team at DTZ (Cushman & Wakefield) in 2012, where he gained a wealth of experience in valuing and analysing all property sectors across the country for both secured lending and regulatory purposes, including development appraisals, for major UK and international banks plus major UK institutions and property companies.  A major part of the role involved linking up with the agency and capital market teams, as part of providing specialist and strategic advice, in particular, assessing how asset management initiatives could impact value.

Mark joined Brown & Lee (Milton Keynes) as an Associate Partner in 2018, where he continued to undertake general practice work,  specialising in asset management, agency, valuation, lease renewals and rent reviews for both private clients and local property companies.

Mark re-joined Kirkby Diamond as a Partner in 2021, following the merger with Brown & Lee, and now heads up the professional services department, overseeing the L&T and valuation departments.

Away from the office, Mark enjoys playing golf, regular family ski trips, scuba diving and for his sins, is an avid Arsenal supporter.

Following a promising start as a National Hunt jockey whereby he was associated with many top class horses, Jimmy decided to pursue a career in real estate and qualified as a Chartered Surveyor in 2001. Since then, he has worked in-house for one of the top four accountancy practices and also for one of the largest international property consultancies.

Now, having obtained 20 years’ experience in the valuation of a wide range of property assets within the commercial and industrial property sectors, Jimmy decided to join Kirkby Diamond in 2013.

Jimmy is responsible for providing well established High Street lenders and specialist finance houses with extensive valuation advice for secured lending purposes as well as to private clients and property companies for accounting, taxation and other purposes.

At weekends Jimmy enjoys a range of outdoor activities such as cycling, running and horse riding.

Darren qualified as a Chartered Valuation Surveyor in 2009, working in Oxford and providing valuation advice to private and public sector clients for a range of purposes including secured lending, taxation, company accounts, local authority accounts and managed office and industrial parks in Oxfordshire.

He first started working in Milton Keynes in 2013, specialising in the valuation of retail, office industrial and mixed-use properties for secured lending purposes and undertaking development appraisals, and has since worked for firms in Northamptonshire and Leicestershire, broadening his valuation skills.

Darren joined Kirkby Diamond in 2021 and has a wealth of experience of valuing properties across the northern Home Counties, Northamptonshire, Leicestershire, Rutland, Oxfordshire, Cambridgeshire and East Anglia.

As a keen cyclist, Darren has ridden from Carcassonne to Barcelona, and from Geneva to Milan, raising money for charity.

David is a chartered surveyor and arbitrator. He has a vast experience across all sectors of the market, having been involved in the property sector for over 40 years. He is widely recognised as one of the leading landlord and tenant specialists in the region. He is also an arbitrator and has acted as independent expert in court on numerous occasions.

He was previously a joint owner of a leading regional practice and headed the landlord and tenant team of one of the largest property consultants in the UK.

David heads the Asset and property management team in Milton Keynes and Bedford.

He brings a wealth of experience and enthusiasm with him.

Jean has a wide spread of experience, having trained in both Local Authority and the Valuation Office (HMRC), before transferring to private practice. This, alongside her rural background and urban experience within the Luton office over many years has given her a rounded view of the needs of business.

Previously a partner with Roger Evans, a longstanding private practice based in Luton, Jean became a partner of Kirkby and Diamond in 1998 after the practices merged in 1996. Subsequently Jean retired from the partnership in 2021 to become a consultant.

Jean specialises in residential leasehold enfranchisement work, both lease extensions and collective enfranchisements, for both freeholders and lessees, having appeared at Tribunal on numerous occasions.

The majority of her work is in the commercial property field. In the landlord and tenant sector, she advises business clients on rent reviews and lease renewals and preparing valuations of assets for accounts and pension fund purposes.

Jean also undertakes pre-acquistion surveys, (both commercial and residential) and prepares schedules of dilapidations on leasehold commercial properties.

Steven is a well experienced and respected chartered surveyor that has been working in the area since the early 1980s, with some clients still being with him from his early days.  Previously a partner in Brown & Lee - the Milton Keynes office having merged with Kirkby Diamond, to enhance the KD operation.

Over the years he’s dealt with a wide range of commercial property matters, including agency, rating and management, his specialisation is in dealing with rent reviews and lease renewals, including acting as independent expert and arbitrator, receiving appointments from both the RICS and independently.

Outside work he enjoys scuba diving, shooting, rugby, the gym and skiing (and is threatening to pick up some golf clubs again)

Panicos joined Kirkby Diamond in May 2023 as an associate working within the Asset Management team in St Albans. 

Panicos has over 20 years' experience in the property market and is a chartered surveyor, registered valuer, asset manager and leasehold enfranchisement specialist. 

He has worked as an asset manager for major investment portfolios, giving him expertise in investment strategy and portfolio management.

Rex joined Kirkby Diamond in 2023 as an assistant surveyor.

Rex studied a property related degree at Oxford Brookes University and is now keen to pursue a career in the property sector.

He provides additional support and assistance to the Valuation and Lease Advisory teams allowing them to further push the expansion of the KD as well as bolstering our local presence within the areas we service.

Steven joined Kirkby Diamond in 2023 as part of the merger with Bowyer Bryce Chartered Surveyors based in North London.

Steven qualified as a Chartered Surveyor in 1983, is a Fellow of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and a RICS Registered Valuer. He is also an Associate of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (ACIArb) and member of the Rating Surveyors’ Association (RSA).

Steven has undertaken instructions relating to valuations, rent reviews and lease renewals, acquisitions and disposals of all types of commercial and industrial property and land.

As director of property management and lease advisory at Bowyer Bryce, Steven has a broad experience representing landlords and tenants in connection with rent reviews and lease renewals and acts as an expert witness in connection with references to independent surveyors, mediations and court.  He also deals with other landlord and tenant disputes including dilapidations.

He has represented national retailers throughout the UK and has experience in a comprehensive range of other professional services including advice in connection with planning and the assembly of opportunities for development and disposal.  He advises clients in connection with their search and acquisition of alternative premises for relocation, often on behalf of clients under threat of a Compulsory Purchase Order.

Steven has represented the British Retailers Consortium in connection with negotiations with the Valuation Office relating to values within retail centres in North London and represented many occupiers at Valuation Tribunal Hearings for business rates appeals.

Steven led the development of the firm’s best value service to public sector bodies and in addition to some successful tenders for portfolio instructions won their appointment to the panel of the former London Development Agency.

Kimberley joined Kirkby Diamond in November 2023 as a surveyor in the Lease Advisory and Asset Management team.

Kimberley has over 15 years’ experience working in the property industry, including previous roles in property management and general practice. Her varied background has provided her with a broad range of skills across both residential and commercial sectors as well as a solid understanding of commercial leases and the local property market.

Kimberley is an Associate Member of the RICS and an AssocRICS Registered Valuer.

Mark, a Chartered Building Surveyor, joined Kirkby Diamond in July 2008. He Heads the Building Consultancy Team to deliver building surveying and project management instructions across Kirkby Diamond.

Mark has provided a range of building surveying services including project management, schedules of condition, building surveys and dilapidation reports for commercial properties. Working closely with our industrial team Mark works extensively in dilapidations matters.

With varying types of clients, of differing sizes, Mark is able to advise Landlords, tenants, owners or purchasers alike.

Working with a wide range of clients, and building types, Mark has often been involved in project management roles for commercial, residential and education based clients, taking projects from inception through to completion.

Covering all aspects of building surveying, Paul has built up a wide variety of experience throughout his 15 years in the profession. 

Paul employs a straightforward approach to surveying but is not afraid to challenge the usual ways of working to deliver the objectives required of him and his team. This provides a bespoke service to clients, which in turn delivers success and stability.

Paul’s work ethic has created a positive working environment where collaboration between the business divisions has fostered a successful combined working environment. Understanding that working together and providing a team of experts in their field to leverage performance is paramount to meeting Clients’ needs.

In his spare time Paul enjoys playing and listening to live music and is a member of his local Carnival committee.

Grant gained a BSc (Hons) from University of Reading in 2010, and then worked in the Civil Engineering sector where he focused on major infrastructure projects for 4 years before joining Kirkby Diamond in February 2015.

Grant completed his APC training and achieved his Chartered status in 2017. Since becoming Chartered, Grant has been involved in a wide range of Building Surveying work with sound knowledge of Pre-Acquisition Surveys for residential and commercial properties and Schedules of Condition.

Working predominantly on Project Management, contract administration roles and Dilapidations matters, Grant has an excellent track record of results for both landlords and tenants.

Ben is a surveyor in our building consultancy team. Ben supports the team in their daily roles as building surveyors.

Jon is a Chartered Quantity Surveyor with over 40 years of experience in the construction industry.

Services provided include Contract Administration, Employer’s Agent on Design and Build Contracts, Construction Contract Advice, Insurance Valuations and Feasibility Studies on New Projects.

Steve Lai joined Kirkby Diamond in 2022 as an assistant building surveyor working within the Milton Keynes office.

Steve is studying a master’s degree in Building Surveying alongside working in the building consultancy team at KD.

He will provide the building surveying team with valuable support as the department continues to grow throughout the region and beyond.

Steve lives in Milton Keynes and enjoys swimming and table tennis in his spare time.

Luke joined the firm in June 2014 bringing with him a wealth of experience in the industrial and logistics sector having started his career in 2006. He has a prestigious and loyal client base acting for many well-known funds, asset managers and local individuals. He has been responsible for some of the most influential and high profile sales and lettings across the region. He now focusses on strategic commercial land opportunities across the region, forming part of the mid box industrial team.

Luke now oversees the practice management of the firm coupled with forming the strategic direction and general man management across all offices.

Eamon joined Kirkby Diamond in September 2000 to assist the commercial agency department in the St Albans office, along with training to become a Chartered Surveyor. Qualifying in 2005, he was promoted to Associate Partner and in February 2008 he was appointed as a full partner of the firm.

Eamon now heads the Industrial and Logistics team throughout the practice, working along the A1/M1 corridor.

He provides a comprehensive range of professional advice within the sector, advising a range of developers, funds, property companies and occupiers on acquisitions, disposals and developments.

The agency team has been awarded the most active agent in Bedfordshire for the eighth consecutive year.

Nathan joined Kirkby Diamond in January 2013 and has over 17 years' experience working in the local residential and commercial property markets. Having completed a Diploma in Surveying Practice in 2011, Nathan continued his studies whilst working full time and obtained a 1st Class Honours Degree in Building Surveying from The College of Estate Management in Reading. Through continued self-improvement, Nathan successfully qualified as a Chartered Surveyor in 2019 and is now a proud member of the RICS.

Nathan is head of commercial agency at the Bedford office where he has built an excellent reputation as a competent deal maker capable of adapting to all sectors of the commercial property market. Nathan acts for a wide range of clients including national and local property companies, investment funds, charities, local landlords and business owners across the industrial, office and retail sectors.

Matthew Bowen joined Kirkby Diamond in April 2023 as a partner and head of commercial agency, working within the St Albans office. 

Before joining Kirkby Diamond Matthew worked at Aitchison Raffety in St Albans and a North London based commercial property consultancy prior to that. 

Matthew has over 20 years' experience in commercial property disposals and acquisitions and has dealt with all types of commercial property within Hertfordshire including land, development and investment.

Associate, Head of Commercial Agency - Bedford Office

Andrew provides a comprehensive range of advice and agency services throughout North and Central Bedfordshire having joined Kirkby Diamond in 2012 to provide a comprehensive agency service to the area.

Andrew has worked in the property agency sector in Bedford since 1983 providing a specialist agency service for landlords, tenants and purchasers in respect of all aspects and types of commercial premises. Andrew has provided professional agency services to individual clients as well as major companies and PLC's, whilst seeking to always provide a personal touch. This has resulted in the creation of long standing and on-going working relationships with clients and a reputation for providing carefully considered advice.

Andrew is a multiple winner of the Estates Gazette award for The Most Active Agent in Bedfordshire.”

Paul Gallagher, formerly of Gallagher and Associates (GAA), will lead the agency expansion along the M1/A1 Corridor for Kirkby Diamond, which has traditionally focused on the Bedford, Luton and Milton Keynes areas.

He is a highly experienced general practice surveyor who has worked in the property industry for more than 30 years. His extensive career includes 23 years at Lambert Smith Hampton as a director and head of the agency team in the Hertfordshire office.

He has specialised in the Hertfordshire market throughout his 34-year career as a general practitioner in the office and industrial sectors in respect of acquisitions, disposals and landlord and tenant work, and acted as expert witness at planning appeals.

Diccon has worked in commercial agency along the M1 corridor since 1998, undertaking all forms of commercial agency work including management, acquisition, disposals and strategic advice. Clients include institutional funds, private investment vehicles and individuals and has been providing advice on behalf of both owners and occupiers, on both a transactional and advisory basis.

Diccon has specialised in the industrial market since 2005 and has extensive knowledge of the local area in terms of the available and the up-coming sites, where commercial development may be enabled.

Paul has worked in the property industry for 22 years and has specialised in industrial/ Business space and investment agency since 2006.

His career includes spells at Lambert Smith Hampton in Milton Keynes, Stretton’s in east London and Bowyer Bryce in north London and Hertfordshire, covering the M11, A10, A1 and M1 corridors for the past 14 years.

Having moved out from London a few years ago Paul joined Kirkby Diamond to work alongside head of commercial agency in Bedford, Andrew Clarke, as well as Paul Gallagher in Borehamwood to develop Kirkby Diamond's southern corridor presence.

In November 2021, Paul moved to the Milton Keynes office to be head of commercial agency there. As well as continuing to support and head the wider agency team in Milton Keynes, Paul has now joined the Industrial & Logistics Team assisting with their expansion in this sector.

Nick joined the firm in August 2014 having previously worked for a local practice looking after the agency operations across the Milton Keynes and surrounds.

Nick focuses primarily on the office and retail sectors across the local region. He has an intricate knowledge of local centres, office buildings and business parks having been responsible for over 100 lettings of similar property types.

Nick has been responsible for some of the largest vacant possession sales of offices and retail properties in Milton Keynes.

Andrew is a Chartered Surveyor and was the founding Partner of Brown & Lee, which merged with Kirkby Diamond in December 2021. He has been involved in commercial property for over 40 years with 30 years exposure to the Milton Keynes & Bedford area. He covers a broad range of work including Agency and Landlord & Tenant representation for both national and local clients.

Before joining Kirby Diamond, Richard was a director at Lambert Smith Hampton for 9 years and then a partner at Brown & Lee for 15 years.

He acts for many key clients, predominantly in the Bedfordshire area, using his many years of experience and back yard knowledge to advise on land, industrial and office instructions.

Richard has been instrumental in bringing some of the area’s largest deals to the market and, as a result, is a well-known figure in the region’s commercial property market.

Courtney joined Kirkby Diamond in 2019 as an apprentice surveyor, studying an RICS related degree at Nottingham Trent University, on day release.

Initially working within both the transaction and professional sides of the business within the Luton office, Courtney has now joined the Industrial & Logistics Team supporting and assisting Eamon Kennedy and Paul Quy with the company’s expansion along the A1/ M1 corridor.

Joshua joined Kirkby Diamond in 2022 as an Associate Agency Surveyor, covering the Luton/Bedfordshire market.

Joshua has gained a wealth of experience as an Agency Surveyor having previously worked for Stimpsons Eves within the Bedfordshire market for approximately 6-years where he worked in all sectors of the commercial property market.

In addition to his agency work, Joshua was also involved in property management matters, handling a range of portfolios which has given him a good understanding of the bigger picture & landlord's needs, when it comes to commercial agency.

Chandan joined Kirkby Diamond in 2022 as an agency surveyor working with the Bedford office.

With a keen interest in property Chandan moved into the commercial property sector after working for many years in residential lettings and property management covering Bedford and the surrounds.

Chandan’s ambition is to obtain a professional qualification via the RICS and create a long-term career at Kirkby Diamond.

Tate joined Kirkby Diamond in 2022 as an apprentice surveyor working within the Milton Keynes office.

Tate previously undertook work experience at KD, which allowed him to identify a career path that he otherwise may not have taken.

Tate is currently working within the transactional side of the business whilst studying an RICS related degree at UCEM in Reading on day release.

Hannah Niven joined Kirkby Diamond in September 2023 as an Associate and Head of North Herts Agency working within the Luton office.

Prior to joining Kirkby Diamond, Hannah worked at Aitchison Raffety in Hitchin covering the A1 corridor, North Hertfordshire and Central Bedfordshire. Hannah has over 17 years’ experience in commercial property and has dealt with all aspects of Agency work to include disposals, acquisition and strategic advice.

Chris joined Kirkby Diamond in September 2023 as an Agency Surveyor, covering Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, and North London markets.

Chris has gained working knowledge and experience of the principle commercial sectors whilst working for a number of smaller practices in and around Buckinghamshire and Bedfordshire since graduating from Nottingham Trent University with a RICS accredited MSc in Real Estate in 2020.

Chris is assisting and supporting Partner, and Head of Agency, Matthew Bowen with the company’s expansion into St Albans, Enfield, and North London.

Lisa joined Kirkby Diamond in January 2021 as Director of Property Management.

Lisa has over 18 years’ experience managing diverse portfolios of offices, retail, industrial, leisure complexes, land and residential properties on behalf of landlords, private investors, national retailers and landowners both locally and nationally.

Dealing with new lettings, day to day property management, consent applications, service charges, asset management, L&T issues and compliance, Lisa is well placed to provide clients with an exceptional level of service ensuring that property risks are minimised.

David is a chartered surveyor and arbitrator. He has a vast experience across all sectors of the market, having been involved in the property sector for over 40 years. He is widely recognised as one of the leading landlord and tenant specialists in the region. He is also an arbitrator and has acted as independent expert in court on numerous occasions.

He was previously a joint owner of a leading regional practice and headed the landlord and tenant team of one of the largest property consultants in the UK.

David heads the Asset and property management team in Milton Keynes and Bedford.

He brings a wealth of experience and enthusiasm with him.

Paul has over 35 years experience in the commercial property sector.

He specialises in asset management, in the retail, office and industrial sectors, but also has hands on experience in property management, landlord and tenant work and commercial agency, acting for a range of private investors.

Paul also has experience in the science park sector and in acting for children’s day nurseries for a range of clients

India joined Kirkby Diamond in 2016 working within the property management department as a client accountant. She looks after the daily running and administration of service charge and rent collection.

Donna joined Kirkby Diamond in 2015 to help in the expansion of Kirkby Diamond's Property Management department.

Donna has worked for several well known practices across the region and in turn has looked after the accounts of some of the leading names within the industry.

She now works alongside the other property managers within the practice ensuring all account related matters run smoothly.

Bryan joined Kirkby Diamond in November 2021 as a Facilities Manager reporting to the Director of Property Management.

Bryan brings a strong background, wealth of knowledge and a proven record in engineering and facilities management with 36 years' experience with high profile international companies.

Alongside his building and engineering qualifications, Bryan holds a Diploma in Safety Management, is a member of the British Safety Council and a qualified Risk Assessor which gives an holistic approach in enabling facility operating costs are kept to a minimum, ensuring that all third party contractor activities comply with the legal, Health and Safety and Environmental regulations while ensuring high quality of workmanship.

Bryan is also a long time member of the Milton Keynes Health and Safety Group and sits on the committee as the group’s program secretary. This enables networking with like minded professionals but also helps keep up to date with the fast moving world of safety legislation.

Dealing with the portfolio of properties on a day to day basis and working with the Property Management Team, Bryan will be focused on providing our clients with a high level of service while giving peace of mind that their properties risks are managed to a minimum and compliant.

Chloe joined Kirkby Diamond in October 2021 and is responsible for Accounts Payable.
Working closing with the Property Managers and the Accounts Team to ensure accurate and prompt payments.
Chloe’s key strengths are her attention to detail and ability to meet deadlines.

Sam has over 15 years’ experience within the commercial property sector, having started with a legal background and then moving on to estate and asset management both in-house and client side. Sam has worked on national portfolios but also has a strong knowledge of Northamptonshire, Buckinghamshire’s and Bedfordshire’s geographic.

Sam’s responsibilities include but are not limited to full property and asset management for institutional, occupational and private sector clients.  More particularly, L&T matters, overseeing facilities management and H&S compliance, statement reporting, service charge budgeting, rent collection and debt recovery.

Sam also enjoys project managing refurbishments, renovations and restorations and getting involved in estate acquisitions, disposals, development and planning.

Derek Bird joined Kirkby Diamond in 2022 after spending 25 years in the Serviced Office sector. Five years working for a leading Service Office provider, setting up and managing new locations across the UK, Europe and the Far East.

For the last 20 years Derek has been working as a Serviced Office broker, working solely on behalf of clients seeking flexible office solutions. His key strengths are client management and business development.

Derek is now a Property Manager, managing a multitude of clients and properties across Beds, Herts and Bucks.

He is a keen golfer, live music fan, and a Nottingham Forest fan for his sins!

Courtney joined Kirkby Diamond in 2022 to help in the expansion of Kirkby Diamond's Property Management department. 

Courtney has several years' experience within the service charge consultancy industry in dealing with the lease expense management for tenants and has looked after the accounts of some of the leading names within the industry.
 
She now works within our property management department alongside our other property managers in the practice, ensuring all account related matters run smoothly and looks after the daily running and administration of service charge collection.

Ally joined Kirkby Diamond in 2023 to help in the expansion of Kirkby Diamond's Property Management Department. Ally has over 25 years’ experience working in general practice surveying, both in the UK and Canada for companies such as Nelson Bakewell, Mapeley and Travis Perkins.

Prior to joining Kirkby Diamond, Ally worked for a company acting on behalf of a local authority in the Midlands, primarily working on asset management of their commercial property portfolio and rural estate.

Ally spent ten years living and working in Vancouver BC managing three public waterside markets on the mainland and island, and for a private ultra-high net worth client, managing their private Estate.

Ally will be working in the Property Management team, responsible for Property and Asset Management for private clients, ensuring all aspects of the clients’ portfolios are managed effectively, and establishing best practice. 

Gordon joined Kirkby Diamond in 2023 to help with the expansion of the Property Management Department. Over the past 15+ years Gordon has worked for some of the largest Property Consultants and Developers across London, Reading and Slough.

From Landsec, Page Group and Savills where he focussed on Property Management of Shopping Centres and Offices, to the Slough Trading Estate during his time with SEGRO and a brief stint with the NHS as a Property Manager covering three Hospitals in Buckinghamshire, Gordon joins KD with a wealth of knowledge in a variety of sectors.  

Gordon is currently undertaking his IOSH Managing Safely course and is keen to begin his journey to becoming MRICS.

His varied experience from “both sides of the fence” representing both in-house and client side in past roles will put him in good stead to represent KD and provide a high level of service to the clients we represent.

Phil joined Kirkby Diamond in 2023 to help with the expansion of the Property Management Department. He has over 15 years’ experience within the construction industry.
In the last 5 years Phil has setup and headed a facilities management division focusing on Garden City portfolios.
He has worked closely with building surveyors, structural engineers and asset managers which has given him a unique insight, helping him to deliver the best results for clients. 

Steven joined Kirkby Diamond in 2023 as part of the merger with Bowyer Bryce Chartered Surveyors based in North London.

Steven qualified as a Chartered Surveyor in 1983, is a Fellow of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and a RICS Registered Valuer. He is also an Associate of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (ACIArb) and member of the Rating Surveyors’ Association (RSA).

Steven has undertaken instructions relating to valuations, rent reviews and lease renewals, acquisitions and disposals of all types of commercial and industrial property and land.

As director of property management and lease advisory at Bowyer Bryce, Steven has a broad experience representing landlords and tenants in connection with rent reviews and lease renewals and acts as an expert witness in connection with references to independent surveyors, mediations and court.  He also deals with other landlord and tenant disputes including dilapidations.

He has represented national retailers throughout the UK and has experience in a comprehensive range of other professional services including advice in connection with planning and the assembly of opportunities for development and disposal.  He advises clients in connection with their search and acquisition of alternative premises for relocation, often on behalf of clients under threat of a Compulsory Purchase Order.

Steven has represented the British Retailers Consortium in connection with negotiations with the Valuation Office relating to values within retail centres in North London and represented many occupiers at Valuation Tribunal Hearings for business rates appeals.

Steven led the development of the firm’s best value service to public sector bodies and in addition to some successful tenders for portfolio instructions won their appointment to the panel of the former London Development Agency.

Eryn joined Kirkby Diamond in 2017 as an administrative secretary. After a couple of years of assisting various departments within the KD team and getting a true understanding of the business, Eryn moved to Digital Marketing Manager in September 2020 and now oversees all aspects of marketing for the firm, assisting all departments with their strategic marketing needs.

Steve Cable joined Kirkby Diamond in 2012 as a Commercial Agency Surveyor. Steve has worked within the property sector for over 16 years, acting within all sectors of leasehold and freehold disposals, both residential and commercial across the regions.

In August 2017, Steve joined Property Management in Milton Keynes to assist with the demand and growth of the successful department. With his accumulated experience, Steve can competently advise clients on their buildings / assets and provide professional advice to ensure investments work to their full potential. Since joining Kirkby Diamond, Steve has proved to be a highly competent asset with a tireless work ethic.

In September 2021, Steve qualified as a competent UAV Pilot by obtaining his A2 CofC and GVC qualifications. Steve has accumulated over 150 hours of flying to date, flying the more traditional GPS, as well as FPV (First Person View) drones. Utilising both styles of UAV’s, when combined with the more traditional ground-based methods of videography, allows unlimited flexibility to be creative, when making immersive, modern, bespoke video content. Steve’s experience as a commercial surveyor combined with drone pilot abilities provides him with a very unique skillset enabling him to ensure the imagery obtained whilst piloting is to a good standard, with special attention applied to any building defects.

In July 2023, Steve joined the Kirkby Diamond Marketing Team to bolster the services we offer already to our client base, meaning we can now offer a vast range of in-house Digital Marketing / Media Services to our clients, and third parties too. Steve completes all post editing work in-house too, alongside our marketing team utilising the market leading Adobe Premier Pro, After Effects & Photoshop.

Paul Skipp is an independent PR consultant who has worked with the team at Kirkby Diamond for more than 10 years. His extensive experience includes raising the profile and protecting the reputations of leading property developers, construction contractors, agents and consultants, architects, fit-out firms and others operating in the commercial real estate sector.

The former national newspaper journalist handles all our media activity, including managing a regular flow of press releases to keep clients, the market and leading property titles up to date with all our latest news.