Staff Profiles
Graham Evans - Chairman
Graham has over 30 years experience in the industry, joined Penyards in 1996 and jointly with his wife Lisa acquired the company in 2001. The objective was to transform the business through a programme of radical reform and considerable expansion. The foundation being built upon the exemplary standards of customer service, brand building and the development of a successful and skilled team of individuals.
Having successfully implemented a long term game plan our attention then had to turn to those members of our staff who had served us with great dedication and commitment for so long. We had to recognise their talents and expertise and offer a future outside of the normal employee remit.
Graham says, ‘2008 offered the perfect platform to develop a corporate entity, selectively offering shareholding within the business. As a consequence four of our most senior, capable and highly respected members of staff have signed their future to forming a board of management.'
Lisa Evans - Sales Director
Lisa also joined Penyards in 1996 and jointly participated in the acquisition of the company in 2001. Lisa now boasts 20 years experience in the industry and has overall responsibility as the key fee earner in her capacity as Sales Director.
Lisa has from time to time been involved in every Penyards office interfacing directly with the client. Having established a range of expertise at every level of the industry Lisa has achieved some outstanding results in converting business opportunities which sets her aside as a major player in Hampshire.
Lisa says, ‘I have always shared the view with Graham that as a company we are able to celebrate very low staff turnover resultant of which there has been an increasing need for us to recognise and reward the efforts of our senior team but at the same time on behalf of all the Directors I also pay tribute to the entire staff who equally have maintained a superior work ethic.’
Claire Harding - Associate Director, Shareholder & PA to Chairman
Claire first joined the company in 2001 and has played a significant role in every stage of the evolution of Penyards. She undertakes key responsibilities within the organisation working on the business directly with the Chairman Graham Evans.
Claire says, ‘My reason for wishing to invest in the company is that I have seen the transformation from a relatively obscure player to a market leader. Investing in what the company represents was a very easy decision.’
Kate Tommans Porter - Associate Director & Shareholder
From an extensive corporate background Kate took up a management position with Penyards in 2002 and has climbed the ladder of success to her senior role based at our head office in Winchester.
Kate states, ‘The plan for continued expansion and the direction that the business will undertake in the coming years will prove to be both inspirational and aspirational. The future of the industry will change and its shape will be formed by companies such as Penyards.’
Vanessa Wrixon - Associate Director & Shareholder
Vanessa joined Penyards 10 years ago after graduating from university. Her career has progressed to a monumental scale, managing Titchfield, Winchester and now Bishops Waltham. Her appreciation of the change in this company naturally led her to wanting to participate in a more long term and influential capacity.
Vanessa's opinion is that, ‘Having spent so much time growing with the company it was inevitable that a long term commitment and investment in sustaining a programme of growth had to be a personal and professional objective.’
Alex Weller - Associate Director & Shareholder
Alex is one of the only members of staff to originally have an estate agency background She joined our senior management team with the single objective to build on past successes and further establish one of the leading brands in the County.
Alex said, ‘The future in any industry lies very much in the relationship between the owners and their employees and to function in both capacities is a responsibility that is both challenging and hugely rewarding.’
