Associate Promotions: Recognising rural professional talent

Thu 26 November 2020

We’re thrilled to announce four Associate promotions across our rural teams in Dumfries, Alnwick, Hexham and Sedgefield. 

Michael Halliday, Rural Consultant in Dumfries; Helen Proud, Chartered Rural Surveyor in Alnwick, Matthew Wallace, Chartered Rural Surveyor in Hexham; and Joanne Metcalfe, Chartered Rural Surveyor in Sedgefield have exemplified outstanding work within the rural sector and have demonstrated their commitment and high standards with clients, colleagues and fellow professionals. Our new Associates are not only qualified professionals but were raised in farming families and have a working understanding of the day to day operations of a farming business.

Michael Halliday, originally a dairy farmer and now a tenant farmer in his own right, has achieved success with property transactions, business planning, compensation claims, and, landlord and tenant negotiations since starting with the firm in 2017. As well as his outstanding approach to his work, Michael has been a board member of the Scottish Tenant Farmers Association since 2010.

Helen Proud, who grew up on her family farm in Wylam, joined the firm in 2014 and works across Northumberland, Southern Scotland and the Western Isles. Helen has worked hard over the past six years to achieve multiple 
professional qualifications, including becoming a Fellow of the CAAV, achieving her RICS qualification, as well as being a registered valuer. 

Whilst not at work, Matthew Wallace works on his family hill farm on the Northumbrian/Cumbrian border. In 2018, Matthew moved to YRPS in Hexham and carries out a wide range of professional work including estate management, valuations, compensation, tenancy, grants, subsidy advice and landlord and tenant.

Joanne Metcalfe grew up on her family farm near Sedgefield and helps out when not carrying out rural professional work. As well as achieving her professional qualifications, Joanne is an AMC agent; working with agricultural, horticultural, equine and other commercial land-based businesses to achieve loans for various projects, purchases and improvements.

Speaking about the promotions, Graeme Bruce, Manager Director, said: “At youngsRPS, we continually want to reward our staff for their achievements, and all of our new associates thoroughly deserve their promotions due to their hard work and significant commitment to clients and the company - particularly over the past year where they’ve considerably adapted their working methods to carry on in extraordinary circumstances.

Whilst COVID-19 has undoubtedly affected all aspects of the property industry, our business has continued to progress, albeit in a ‘new normal’. If anything, COVID-19 has further highlighted the importance of agriculture in the UK; we await news on how the Government intend to support our farmers, but I have no doubt that our excellent team here at youngsRPS will continue to work hard to ensure the best result for our clients.”