The team

Rachel Stow - Managing Director
Compliance Officer for Legal Practice (COLP)

Rachel is the Managing Director of Thorneycroft Solicitors and is responsible for the running of the firm and the setting and delivery of its strategy to ensure it remains a market leader in personal law and litigation. She is currently focused on how best to capitalise on the opportunities that will be created by the legislative changes that are reshaping the legal market. She is a leading and respected member of the legal community and has driven the firm into a new era of working, challenging the more traditional work…
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Robert Thorneycroft - Director

Founder of the firm in 1990, and now Senior Partner, Robert specialises in property and personal injury related matters. Robert qualified at Chester Law College and was admitted as a solicitor in 1982. Keen to explore the opportunities that Alternative Business Structures bring to the legal sector, he also enjoys dealing with clients on a day to day basis. Robert’s five children ensure that he has a busy life away from work, particularly through his involvement in local junior sport. With the time that is left he has a keen…
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Michael J Coghlan - Director

Michael qualified in 1993, and joined Thorneycroft Solicitors in 1996, specialising in Personal Injury litigation. He is still a full time fee-earner, in addition to providing a second opinion upon the more complex cases within the firm when required, and helping to formulate litigation policy. Michael and his wife Louise have two daughters. When he is not spending time with the girls, he likes to play golf and football when possible, as well as the odd game of squash.
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Mark Belfield - Director

  Mark joined Thorneycroft Solicitors in 1998 and became a Director in 2011. Mark heads up the Large Loss team, looking after serious and catastrophic injury claims. Still a fee earner, he also inputs into more involved cases and advising on direction and policy resulting from legislative changes. Outside of work Mark enjoys spending time with his wife Jane and their 2 children. A keen runner, Mark has also taken part in a number of 10k runs raising money for local charities. Any remaining spare time is spent following his…
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Sue Carnwell - Financial Director
Compliance Officer for Finance and Administration (COFA)

Susan is a qualified Chartered Accountant, qualifying in 1992 with KPMG. Susan has worked at a senior level in the NHS, and has also worked in the legal services sector in partnership and working for a large corporate for last 16 years. Now Group FD she is responsible for finances within all of our group companies. Susan and her family enjoy many rural activities including clay pigeon shooting, which she wishes she had more time for. [email protected]
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Susan Phelps - Associate Director Head of Exited and Issued Team

Prior to joining Thorneycroft Solicitors in 1998, Susan had studied at Leeds University. Susan’s chosen areas of specialisation include RTAs, as well as cases which involve issues relating to employers liability. Susan’s interests include foreign travel and during the past few years destinations have included The Maldives, Mexico and Mauritius.
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Craig Fisher - Associate Director - Solicitor

Craig joined the firm as a Claims Handler in 2008 and completed his Solicitor Training at Thorneycrofts, having previously completed the LLB degree at Keele University and the Legal Practice Course at Staffordshire University. Craig is a Solicitor in our Portal Team, having previously headed our New Business Team, and also assists in building excellent working relationships with our medical agencies. Craig’s hobbies include playing football, and watching Crewe Alexandra play around the country.
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Nicola Parker - Associate Director

Nicola is an Associate Director and Solicitor in our Employment Team. She joined Thorneycroft Solicitors in 2010 after completing the Legal Practice Course in Manchester. As a member of the Employment Team, Nicola advises on a wide variety of legal and HR matters and is particularly involved in providing support to our business clients. She also regularly advises on settlement agreements. Nicola has played a key role in developing our employment and HR retainer service, TS Employment Shield, and frequently appears on local radio stations. Nicola is also a member…
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Heather Gaunt - Associate Director

Heather is an Associate Director and Head of our wills probate and trust department. Her proven track record of over 20 years within the Private  Client sector highlights Heather’s expertise and enthusiasm within this ever changing and complex area of law. With a friendly but experienced and professional approach Heather has worked with a range of businesses and clients to draft wills give advice relating to probate services and the Court of Protection prepare powers of attorney and resolve estate planning issues. Heather is a full Member of STEP (Society of Trust &…
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Nicola Dickinson - Associate Director

Nicola Dickinson is an Associate Director and Head of the Personal Injury Fast Track Department. Nicola has 10 years’ experience in the personal injury claims sector and is responsible for improving the efficiencies of case handling to ensure we provide a premium service to our clients. Outside of work Nicola is a regular visitor to the gym and enjoys socialising.
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Amy Owen - Associate Director - Compliance Manager

Amy joined Thorneycroft Solicitors in April 2015 where she assists the COLP with regulatory compliance. Amy graduated from Keele University in 2007 with a Law and Criminology degree (LL.B). She completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Legal Practice at Staffordshire University in 2008 and in 2012 she achieved a Masters Degree in Legal Practice Management. Amy qualified as a Solicitor in 2014. Prior to joining the firm, Amy worked at Cheshire and Shropshire based firms and at the Citizens Advice Bureau where she gained a wealth of experience in several areas…
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Peter Reeves - IT Manager

Peter joined Thorneycroft Solicitors in February 2007 as IT Manager having previously worked for an accident claims company. Peter is responsible for all of our IT requirements which include not only our computers and networks, but also our claims management systems, our client and supplier databases as well as a wide range of Management Reports. Outside of work Peter is a Formula 1 fanatic and also a collector of Japanese and Ethnographic works of art.
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Liz Hill - Ops Manager

Liz joined us at the start of 2015 having worked in operations in the legal sector for the past 12 years. Throughout her career, Liz has been involved in operational improvement and change management and is experienced in projects which drive system improvements and business efficiencies. Liz works closely with all areas of the business including our Management, IT and Legal teams to ensure the requirements of the business are translated and developed within our internal case management systems and management information. As a business we recognise that in order…
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Natasha Scragg - Marketing & Events Manager

Natasha joined Thorneycroft in December 2004 and has progressed through Corporate Accounts and PA roles to the position of Group Marketing and Events Manager. Natasha is responsible for managing the Group’s marketing strategy and spend, responsible for updating social media and web with relevant content and liaising with the external marketing agency to co-ordinate the Group’s paid for advertising campaigns. In addition to this she also has responsibility for arranging Thorneycroft’s events – both staff and corporate. In her spare time Natasha enjoys spending time with family and friends.
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Nathan Scragg - Sales Manager

Nathan joined Thorneycroft at the end of 2015 as Sales Manager. Nathan has a wealth of experience, most recently from the insurance field where he was responsible for building relationships with both existing and new customers. At Thorneycroft his role involves working with our suppliers, both current and prospective, to ensure that we are meeting and exceeding their requirements, whilst providing them with the very best service in the industry. In his spare time Nathan enjoys spending time with his fiancée and twin boys, as well as fitting in a…
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Gail Wilson - HR Manager

Mark Bestley - Senior Consultant
Employment

Mark is a consultant for the employment law team at Thorneycroft Solicitors and has over 30 years experience as a specialist in this area. A member of the Employment Law Association, Mark has undertaken extensive Employment Tribunal advocacy and provides clients with no-nonsense, straightforward advice across all areas of employment law including contractual matters, disciplinary and grievance procedures and redundancy processes. Well known in the local business community, Mark is also a board member of Macclesfield Chamber of Commerce and is also involved with Make it Macclesfield as a member of its…
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Nicola Parker - Associate Director

Nicola is an Associate Director and Solicitor in our Employment Team. She joined Thorneycroft Solicitors in 2010 after completing the Legal Practice Course in Manchester. As a member of the Employment Team, Nicola advises on a wide variety of legal and HR matters and is particularly involved in providing support to our business clients. She also regularly advises on settlement agreements. Nicola has played a key role in developing our employment and HR retainer service, TS Employment Shield, and frequently appears on local radio stations. Nicola is also a member…
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Deborah Ford - Employment & Business Team Co-ordinator

I assist the Employment and Business Team with their cases on a day to day basis. This involves coordinating incoming enquiries, dealing with clients and offering administrative help and support. Outside of work I enjoy reading, jewellery making, stained glass work, playing the guitar, cooking, gardening, theatre, needlework and house renovating.
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Rachel Stow - Managing Director
Compliance Officer for Legal Practice (COLP)

Rachel is the Managing Director of Thorneycroft Solicitors and is responsible for the running of the firm and the setting and delivery of its strategy to ensure it remains a market leader in personal law and litigation. She is currently focused on how best to capitalise on the opportunities that will be created by the legislative changes that are reshaping the legal market. She is a leading and respected member of the legal community and has driven the firm into a new era of working, challenging the more traditional work…
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Sue Carnwell - Financial Director
Compliance Officer for Finance and Administration (COFA)

Susan is a qualified Chartered Accountant, qualifying in 1992 with KPMG. Susan has worked at a senior level in the NHS, and has also worked in the legal services sector in partnership and working for a large corporate for last 16 years. Now Group FD she is responsible for finances within all of our group companies. Susan and her family enjoy many rural activities including clay pigeon shooting, which she wishes she had more time for. [email protected]
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Rebecca Chorlton GCILEx - Compliance Assistant

Rebecca joined the compliance department at Thorneycroft Solicitors in February 2016 to assist the COLP with regulatory compliance. Rebecca graduated from Chester University in 2012 with a Law degree (LLB). She is an Associate member of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives and is currently completing the Graduate Fast-Track Diploma. In her spare time Rebecca enjoys spending time with her family and friends.
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Amy Owen - Associate Director - Compliance Manager

Amy joined Thorneycroft Solicitors in April 2015 where she assists the COLP with regulatory compliance. Amy graduated from Keele University in 2007 with a Law and Criminology degree (LL.B). She completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Legal Practice at Staffordshire University in 2008 and in 2012 she achieved a Masters Degree in Legal Practice Management. Amy qualified as a Solicitor in 2014. Prior to joining the firm, Amy worked at Cheshire and Shropshire based firms and at the Citizens Advice Bureau where she gained a wealth of experience in several areas…
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Alison Ireland - Head of Financial Processing and Client Account Compliance Accounts Manager/Deputy COFA

Mark Belfield - Director

  Mark joined Thorneycroft Solicitors in 1998 and became a Director in 2011. Mark heads up the Large Loss team, looking after serious and catastrophic injury claims. Still a fee earner, he also inputs into more involved cases and advising on direction and policy resulting from legislative changes. Outside of work Mark enjoys spending time with his wife Jane and their 2 children. A keen runner, Mark has also taken part in a number of 10k runs raising money for local charities. Any remaining spare time is spent following his…
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Hazel Madden - Litigation Executive

Hazel is an accredited Senior Litigator with the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers and a member of the Institute of Legal Executives and Motor Accident Solicitors Society. Hazel specialises in personal injury litigation including road traffic accidents, public and employers liability cases. Hazel joined the firm in February 2011 having worked for several years at another leading law firm in the region gaining extensive litigation experience including work on a Parliamentary Inquiry. Hazel also regularly appears on local radio station Silk FM on behalf of Thorneycroft Solicitors on the Legal…
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Lisa Smith - Barrister

Lisa joined Thorneycroft Solicitors in August 2016 having spent 17 years in a leading law firm in Manchester where she specialised in high value road traffic accidents, fatal accidents and employers liability claims including brain injuries, spinal injuries, and severe orthopaedic injuries. Lisa is a Barrister and was called to the Bar in 1999. She is a member of the Bar Council of England and Wales and the Honourable Society of the Inner Temple. Lisa’s ethos in relation to her work is that the client always comes first and is…
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Mark Robinson - Solicitor

Mark joined Thorneycroft Solicitors in May 2012 having completed his training contract in July 2010 at another leading law firm in the East Yorkshire area where he has since specialised within all areas of the Personal Injury field. Mark further enhanced his knowledge last year by achieving his LLM Master of Laws in Legal Practice Management from Staffordshire University. His work titled, ‘The Costs of Litigation Post Jackson: A Brave New World?’ has assisted him in perfecting the service that he provides to his clients in the ever changing legal…
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Edel Whalley - Solicitor

Edel has had over 13 years’ experience in Personal Injury litigation dealing with road traffic accidents, public, employers liability and sexual abuse cases.  Edel has practised in the UK and Australia. She joined the firm’s Catastrophic Injury Department in October 2016 and now specialises in catastrophic and serious injury work including amputations, brain injuries, spinal injuries. In her spare time she enjoys spending time with her 2 young children and enjoying good food, reading, cinema,  music and running. She is also a volunteer with her children’s school charity.
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Lisa Hunt - Legal Executive

Lisa is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives and specialises in Claimant Personal Injury work, having begun her career in this field in 2001.  Having joined the Firm in 2010, Lisa works in the Firm’s Catastrophic Injury Department assisting Clients with life changing injuries including complex orthopaedic injuries, brain injuries and amputations. Outside of work, Lisa enjoys spending time with her Husband and young Daughter, dining out with friends and keeping fit with the help of her Personal Trainer and by participating in various 5k/10k runs throughout…
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Marcella Nathanson - Solicitor

Marcella has over 18 years experience within the personal injury sector, initially with Filex and qualified as a solicitor in 2007, following passing PGDL and LPC with Distinction. She specialises in high value complex injury claims including amputations, fatalities, brain injuries, spinal injuries, severe burns and industrial disease (including asbestosis, and cadmium/dust inhalation). The superb range of testimonials and recommendations that she has received over the years are as a result of her tenacious approach to getting the best settlement possible for her clients.  Away from work Marcella has a…
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Paula Bridge - Senior Consultant - Head of Clinical Negligence

As well as being a qualified Barrister and Solicitor, Paula is highly experienced and respected in the area of Clinical Negligence, and is retained by Thorneycroft on a Consultancy basis to head up this specialist team. Having been a Partner in law for 14 years specialising in Clinical Negligence and Personal Injury, Paula has set up and managed both general and specialist Clinical Negligence departments which have been Lexcel compliant. As well as acting as a trustee for clients with voluntary trusts, Paula’s work includes claims, inquests, cosmetic surgery and…
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Kerry Lawley - Litigation Executive - Head of Dental Negligence

Kerry began working for a Personal Injury law firm in Macclesfield in 2004 where she progressed within the first year from PA to become a Litigation Executive specialising in Personal Injury Road Accident claims. After 5 years Kerry joined a Wilmslow firm before joining Thorneycroft Solicitors, and her extensive experience has led her to specialise in the area of Clinical Negligence. Out of work Kerry enjoys being with her family, watching movies and motorbike racing, and any remaining free time is spent road cycling.
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Lindsey Brough - Clinical Negligence Administrator

Lindsey has been working within the legal profession for over 35 years, covering a variety of areas including road traffic accidents and, most recently, clinical negligence. Lindsey is one of the first points of contact for new clients, and she is involved in preparing detailed Witness Statements requesting and sorting medical records as well as undertaking a vital administrative role. In her spare time Lindsey enjoys amateur dramatics, in particular musicals, nights out with the girls, as well as spending time with her young grandson.
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Susan Phelps - Associate Director Head of Exited and Issued Team

Prior to joining Thorneycroft Solicitors in 1998, Susan had studied at Leeds University. Susan’s chosen areas of specialisation include RTAs, as well as cases which involve issues relating to employers liability. Susan’s interests include foreign travel and during the past few years destinations have included The Maldives, Mexico and Mauritius.
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Craig Fisher - Associate Director - Solicitor

Craig joined the firm as a Claims Handler in 2008 and completed his Solicitor Training at Thorneycrofts, having previously completed the LLB degree at Keele University and the Legal Practice Course at Staffordshire University. Craig is a Solicitor in our Portal Team, having previously headed our New Business Team, and also assists in building excellent working relationships with our medical agencies. Craig’s hobbies include playing football, and watching Crewe Alexandra play around the country.
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Shamailah Aslam Chaudry - Solicitor

Laura Collins - Solicitor

Sarah Hancock - Solicitor

Louise Blondon - Solicitor

Louise joined us in 2007 as a claim handler following the completion of a Law Degree at Sheffield Hallam University a year earlier. Louise has also completed a Legal Practice Course at Manchester Metropolitan University in 2007. During her time with us, Louise qualified from our training contract in 2012 and is now working as a solicitor in our Personal injury team. Louise spends most of her free time with her young son and is also a keen reader.
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Francesco Tufaro - Solicitor

Francesco worked and trained at Carter Law in Manchester from 2011, and in 2015 qualified as a solicitor. He now works within our Personal Injury team. Francesco has a number of hobbies, ranging from keeping fit in the gym and playing Saturday league football to jet setting to city breaks and ski trips. Prior to his legal career, Francesco played guitar in a band, and has even supported McFly on stage!
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Stephen Kulic - Legal Executive

Leslie Chetwood - New Business Department Supervisor

Leslie joined in Nov 2006 as a claims handler and moved to Head of New Business looking after the new business team in Oct 2010. Leslie works closely with IT to help improve our systems and enhance the customer experience. Additionally Leslie helps maintain our business relationships with external contacts such as sign up agents. In his spare time Leslie enjoys dancing and performing and playing football.
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Joanne Whittaker - Paralegal

Joanne joined the firm in 1998 and has been a Fee Earner for over 15 years dealing with predominantly RTA Claims. She is a Fellow of the Institute of Paralegals and is also a member of APIL. Joanne is married with a young daughter and she spends most of her free time with her family.  She also enjoys walking her dog, horse riding, baking, reading and has recently rediscovered her love of skiing!
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Amanda Daniels - Paralegal

Amanda joined the firm in November 2004 and has been dealing with RTA personal injury claims for 17 years. Amanda is a Fellow of the First Institute of Paralegals and is recognised as a Tier 4 member of the professional paralegal register. In her spare time, Amanda enjoys her holidays abroad or equally in Cornwall or Devon as long as there is a hot tub! She also enjoys socialising, live music, reading and baking. She is a lover of red wine!
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Georgina Coppenhall - Solicitor

Georgina is a supervising solicitor within the RTA fast track department.  Prior to her employment at Thorneycrofts Georgina managed a successful personal injury department for a firm specialising in winning cases other firms had given up on. She qualified as a Solicitor in March 2005 and has over 16 years experience dealing with all types of litigation and in particular personal injury claims arising from accidents at work, vibration white finger, RSI, public liability claims, holiday illness, road traffic accident claims and a particularly memorable case involving a rogue cow!…
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Claire Gatley - Solicitor

Heather Gaunt - Associate Director

Heather is an Associate Director and Head of our wills probate and trust department. Her proven track record of over 20 years within the Private  Client sector highlights Heather’s expertise and enthusiasm within this ever changing and complex area of law. With a friendly but experienced and professional approach Heather has worked with a range of businesses and clients to draft wills give advice relating to probate services and the Court of Protection prepare powers of attorney and resolve estate planning issues. Heather is a full Member of STEP (Society of Trust &…
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Chris Bowen LLB (Hons) - Family Solicitor

Chris Bowen qualified as a Solicitor in 1982 after training in Manchester. He began his qualified career in Buxton before moving to practice for many years in Macclesfield. After a short period working in West Yorkshire, he returned to the area in 2013 and joined Thorneycroft Solicitors to head up the family law team.
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Neil Wilson - Conveyancing Solicitor

Neil studied Politics & Law in Manchester qualifying as a solicitor in 2007. Neil previously worked at a regional firm in Manchester before joining Thorneycroft in April 2014. Neil has experience in many aspects of property including residential and commercial matters with a keen focus on the sale and purchase of business premises, undeveloped land, commercial leases (acting for both landlord and tenant) and property finance.
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Melissa Hill - Paralegal

Melissa is a Paralegal within the Wills, Trust and Probate department. Melissa assists in Will drafting, preparing Lasting Powers of Attorney, Probate and Court of Protection matters. She initially trained with the Society of Will Writers and qualified as Professional Will Writer in 2015. Melissa began her legal studies with the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (‘CILEX’) and is due to embark on the final stage of the CILEX qualification to fully qualify as a Lawyer. In her spare time, Melissa enjoys reading and travelling. Melissa is a keen animal…
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Samantha Ikin - Solicitor

Samantha is a solicitor in our Wills, Trust and Probate Department and assists in Will drafting, preparing Lasting Powers of Attorney, Probate and Court of Protection matters. Samantha studied at Manchester Metropolitan University where she completed both her Law Degree and her Legal Practice Course and in July 2016, Samantha qualified as a Solicitor. In her spare time, Samantha enjoys cheering on her football team, Manchester United as well as looking after her two guinea pigs.
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Joe O’Connor - Trainee Solicitor

Joe Daniels - Conveyancing Assistant

Tina Rowland - Conveyancing Assistant

Scott Mulligan - Head of Residential Conveyancing

After studying Law, alongside a full time job, at Leeds Beckett University, Scott moved into Conveyancing. Scott now has over 13 years’ experience in dealing with a wide range of clients and dealing with their property matters. Scott has had experience with private clients, property investors as well as local and national house builders. Since joining us at Thorneycroft, Scott manages a team of conveyancers and assistants in our Conveyancing department. In his spare time, Scott enjoys travelling, cooking, keeping active and socialising with friends!
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Victoria Ellis - Conveyancing Executive