Meet the Team
Directors
James Whilding
Rural Planning Director | MRICS FBIAC
James is the Managing Director and Finance Director.
A qualified Chartered Surveyor and Fellow of the British Institute of Agricultural Consultants, James specialises in planning and business consultancy including work relating to agricultural dwellings, asset maximisation and diversification and is a lead consultant for our intensive agriculture (pigs and poultry) work.
James is also a lead contact for the NFU and CLA.
A qualified Chartered Surveyor and Fellow of the British Institute of Agricultural Consultants, James specialises in planning and business consultancy including work relating to agricultural dwellings, asset maximisation and diversification and is a lead consultant for our intensive agriculture (pigs and poultry) work.
James is also a lead contact for the NFU and CLA.
Mike Bamforth
Rural Design Director | MCIOB
Mike is a Director and takes responsibility for the National Building Design Team.
Mike is a qualified member of the Chartered Institute of Building and is highly experienced in rural design projects, housing and diversification projects; in particular the conversion of traditional farm buildings into residential, tourism and commercial uses.
Mike is a qualified member of the Chartered Institute of Building and is highly experienced in rural design projects, housing and diversification projects; in particular the conversion of traditional farm buildings into residential, tourism and commercial uses.
Associate Directors
Laura Wall
Rural Planning | MRICS MBIAC
A qualified Chartered Surveyor, Laura works within the rural planning team and progressed to becoming an Associate Director which includes the role of Head of Operations (HR and IT).
Laura specialises in planning and appeals consultancy, including work relating to agricultural/rural worker dwellings, conversions, change of use, diversification, occupancy conditions, Certificates of Lawful Use and equine work.
Laura specialises in planning and appeals consultancy, including work relating to agricultural/rural worker dwellings, conversions, change of use, diversification, occupancy conditions, Certificates of Lawful Use and equine work.
Henry Doble
Rural Planning | MRICS
As an Associate Director, Henry’s roles include Head of Marketing and Business Centre Manager for the Anglia & South-East.
A qualified Chartered Surveyor, Henry specialises in new farm dwellings/buildings, lifting of agricultural occupancy conditions, Certificates of Lawful Use and permitted development, together with planning appeals.
A qualified Chartered Surveyor, Henry specialises in new farm dwellings/buildings, lifting of agricultural occupancy conditions, Certificates of Lawful Use and permitted development, together with planning appeals.
Associates
Roland Thomas
Rural Planning | MRICS
Roland is a qualified Chartered Surveyor and is one of our leading consultants for agricultural occupancy conditions related work.
His experience as an Agricultural Surveyor began in Leeds managing types of agricultural and rural planning projects. He also has experience in residential surveys and valuations and now specialises in property consultancy.
Roland's expert witness experience is often required for public planning inquiries.
His experience as an Agricultural Surveyor began in Leeds managing types of agricultural and rural planning projects. He also has experience in residential surveys and valuations and now specialises in property consultancy.
Roland's expert witness experience is often required for public planning inquiries.
Ian Hopkins
Rural Design
Ian has over 25 years of experience in Architectural practices and works within the Exeter Office as Senior Architectural Technician.
His comprehensive experience covers projects from houses to factory units, preparing Planning drawings through to Building Regulations and projects on site. Ian is the Exeter Drawing Office Manager and the National Co-ordinator for processes, quality control, technical, CDM and productivity/delivery of drawing work.
His comprehensive experience covers projects from houses to factory units, preparing Planning drawings through to Building Regulations and projects on site. Ian is the Exeter Drawing Office Manager and the National Co-ordinator for processes, quality control, technical, CDM and productivity/delivery of drawing work.
Emma Baker
Rural Design | BA (Hons)
Emma works within the South East office as a member of the Building Design Team, having graduated with a BA (Hons) in Interior Architecture.
She designs a diverse range of rural properties, including barn conversions and new dwellings. She prepares drawings for Planning applications through to Building Regulations and construction details.
Emma manages the company’s branding and social media, including the website.
She designs a diverse range of rural properties, including barn conversions and new dwellings. She prepares drawings for Planning applications through to Building Regulations and construction details.
Emma manages the company’s branding and social media, including the website.
Olivia Hazell
Rural Planning | MRTPI
Olivia is a Chartered member of the Royal Town Planning Institute. She is based in Oxfordshire, operating within the planning team. Using her experience of working in local authority planning.
Her knowledge covers business and financial issues within the Agricultural industry. She specialises in achieving planning permission to deliver strategic asset maximisation and diversification projects for clients within a range of planning matters.
Her knowledge covers business and financial issues within the Agricultural industry. She specialises in achieving planning permission to deliver strategic asset maximisation and diversification projects for clients within a range of planning matters.
Team
Anthony Atkinson
Rural Planning | MRICS, FAAV
A qualified Chartered Surveyor and a Fellow of the Central Association of Agricultural Valuers. Anthony manages projects in the North & Midlands. He has extensive experience in planning consultancy for agricultural development and diversification schemes.
He manages the complex processes involved from initial planning investigations, design requirements through to the submission of planning applications. Anthony also undertakes property sales and estate management.
He manages the complex processes involved from initial planning investigations, design requirements through to the submission of planning applications. Anthony also undertakes property sales and estate management.
Brian Barrow
Rural Planning | MRICS
A qualified Chartered Surveyor, Brian specialises in planning consultancy and handles planning appeals, agricultural occupancy conditions, intensive livestock developments and equine-related work. His work also includes the preparation of Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs).
Brian leads the property sales work within Acorus and advises clients on how to maximise their property value prior to marketing and sale.
Brian leads the property sales work within Acorus and advises clients on how to maximise their property value prior to marketing and sale.
Debbie Locke
Rural Design | BA (Hons)
Debbie works within the South West office in the Building Design Team, having graduated from Arts University Bournemouth with a BA (Hons) in Interior Architecture and Design.
Debbie assists with planning applications, supporting Building Regulation packages, and drawing up a wide range of rural properties, both new builds and conversions.
Debbie assists with planning applications, supporting Building Regulation packages, and drawing up a wide range of rural properties, both new builds and conversions.
Louise Gregory
Rural Planning
Louise is based in the South East. Louise has an extensive knowledge base of all planning matters. She also manages Environmental Impact Assessments and Agricultural Occupancy Conditions.
With several years service at Acorus both as a Rural Planning Consultant and a Project Manager, Louise has extensive knowledge of the business, its clients and dealing with local and national authorities.
With several years service at Acorus both as a Rural Planning Consultant and a Project Manager, Louise has extensive knowledge of the business, its clients and dealing with local and national authorities.
Megan Masters
Rural Planning | BSc (Hons) MRICS
A qualified Chartered Rural Surveyor based within the South West team, Megan provides advice to clients relating to all aspects of rural planning. She obtained a BSc (Hons) degree in Real Estate at the University of Reading.
She has a strong background working in general estate management and the valuation of rural property, offering a broad-view approach and identifies opportunities for her clients.
She has a strong background working in general estate management and the valuation of rural property, offering a broad-view approach and identifies opportunities for her clients.
Rose Haines
Human Resources
Rose works part-time providing administrative support for Human Resources including company insurances, cars, mobile phones and the company client account.
Sarah Hopkins
Office Manager | B.Ed (Hons)
Sarah is part of the South West rural planning team. Sarah's role is to assist consultants and facilitate planning applications.
Angus Bridges
Rural Planning | BSc (Hons)
Angus graduated from the Royal Agricultural University, with a BSc (Hons) degree in Rural Land Management. He works in the South East rural planning team contributing to all aspects of planning work.
Angus specialises in new farm dwellings/buildings, lifting of agricultural occupancy conditions, Certificates of Lawful Use and permitted development, and looks after property sales.
Angus is currently working towards gaining his RICS qualification.
Angus specialises in new farm dwellings/buildings, lifting of agricultural occupancy conditions, Certificates of Lawful Use and permitted development, and looks after property sales.
Angus is currently working towards gaining his RICS qualification.
Sid Richards
Rural Design | RIBA
Sid is a Chartered Architect and works on the design of buildings from inception to completion on-site. He manages the Building Design Team in the South East Office.
Projects he has worked on have varied from new houses and commercial offices to equestrian work stables, new farm buildings and conversion of traditional buildings.
Projects he has worked on have varied from new houses and commercial offices to equestrian work stables, new farm buildings and conversion of traditional buildings.
Josh Trump
Rural Design | BSc (Hons)
Josh graduated from the University of West of England with a BSc (Hons) in Architecture (ARB/RIBA Part 1). He forms part of the Building Design Team working from our office in Exeter as an Architectural Assistant.
Josh is keen to develop his skills while continuing with his studies to obtain his Part II and Part III in Architecture in due course.
Josh is keen to develop his skills while continuing with his studies to obtain his Part II and Part III in Architecture in due course.
Cara Fieldhouse
Rural Design | BArch (Hons)
Cara works within the South East office as a member of the Building Design Team, having graduated from Lincoln School of Architecture & the Built Environment with a BArch (Hons) in Architecture (ARB/RIBA Part I).
She has been involved with putting together Building Regulation packages and drawing up a wide range of rural properties, both new builds and conversions.
She has been involved with putting together Building Regulation packages and drawing up a wide range of rural properties, both new builds and conversions.
Madison Harding
Rural Planning | BA (Hons)
Madison graduated from the University of East Anglia with a BA (Hons) degree in Geography. She is based out of the South East Office. She provides office admin support and planning assistance.
Madison has a good knowledge of the planning system guiding applications through to their decisions and supports the team with her increasing Biodiversity Net Gain knowledge.
Madison has a good knowledge of the planning system guiding applications through to their decisions and supports the team with her increasing Biodiversity Net Gain knowledge.
Sofia Marques
Rural Design | MArch, ARB
Sofia is an Architect and is part of the Building Design Team working from our office in Exeter.
She has experience in Architectural and Design projects, Building Information Models and Rendering. She is involved in designing for planning applications and Building Regulation packages covering a wide range of rural properties, both new builds and conversions.
She has experience in Architectural and Design projects, Building Information Models and Rendering. She is involved in designing for planning applications and Building Regulation packages covering a wide range of rural properties, both new builds and conversions.
David Fletcher
Rural Design | MArch
David studied at Leicester School of Architecture at De Montfort University, where he achieved a Masters’ degree in Architecture. He is part of the Building Design Team working from our office in Exeter, as a Part II Architectural Assistant.
He has worked on a wide variety of projects and sectors in the industry, from commercial and heritage uses to domestic extensions.
He has worked on a wide variety of projects and sectors in the industry, from commercial and heritage uses to domestic extensions.