Meet the Team

Simon Croft - Partner

Simon Croft has 40 years experience in the property industry having commenced his career in Harrogate in 1984.

Simon has successfully sold and let literally 1000’s of properties in and around the Harrogate District and has a large network of ready, willing and proceedable purchasers and tenants.

He has also conducted numerous auction sales on behalf of the company ranging from small investment properties to large portfolios.

Simon is Senior Partner at FSS and is the longest serving Partner ever at FSS having been a Partner for over 25 of the companies 30 year history.

Richard Smailes - Partner

Richard Smailes, also known as the man with the golden gavel manages both our residential sales & auction departments.

Having worked within the property industry in and around Harrogate for approximately 30 years, there is very little that our partner doesn’t know.

Renowned for delivering sound advice & the best possible personable service, Richard has become a very popular face within the property world.

Richard frequently gives up his time to take on the role of charity auctioneer at fundraising balls & events.

Richard loves his friendly and honest firm, he says they have a great team ethic and every individual will always go the extra mile to ensure that FSS’ clients receive an exceptional service.

Dan Brumfitt - Partner

Dan has been a Chartered Surveyor since 2001. Dan has worked for a number of practices including King Sturge, Jones Lang LaSalle and Evans Property Group. Dan brings a wealth of commercial and residential experience to the team at FSS and enjoys a broad spectrum of work that being a general practice Chartered Surveyor covers, with anything from valuation reports to large scale agency transactions, or, landlord and tenant matters and business rate appeals. Dan would describe himself as 'fun', 'trustworthy' and 'professional'. He particularly likes FSS’ family ethos and says that every day is never the same! Dan became a proud FSS partner in April 2021.

Michael Lebbon - Associate

Michael is directly involved with the large Residential Lettings Department and has been with Feather Smailes Scales LLP since 2003. His aim is to provide clients with honest up front advice at rental valuation stage and guidance on any improvements required to achieve a quick let with minimal voids. Michael’s colleagues would describe him as trusting and determined with an open door policy. Michael loves the professional team he works with and is quite happy to put in the extra hours to see the best results.

Adam Crawfurd-Porter - Head of Commercial Property & Associate Partner

Adam joined us as a trainee, initially gaining experience in all aspects of the business before specialising in commercial property. He subsequently completed a degree in Estate Management & qualified as an RICS Chartered Surveyor. Adam boasts excellent experience in the Harrogate commercial property market as well as the surrounding areas and heads up the commercial property division covering all things commercial agency, management and professional valuation work. His colleagues would describe him as extremely hard working, reliable and an all-round good bloke!

Kate Baines - Secretary

Kate is one of our most resourceful letting specialists, described by her colleagues as a team player and keen learner, she has proved to be a valuable asset to the FSS team. Kate’s new career in property has welcomed her into an efficient team providing a fantastic work environment for her skills in lettings to excel above and beyond.

Debbie Bath - Auction Secretary

Debbie is the jack of all trades, from team player to social organiser, she brings energy and confidence to the team. Debbie sees FSS as a loyal family, not just a workplace. Auction and sales are just few of her skills that have been developed through 9 years of working in the property industry, she provides a trusted assistance to the team.

Thomas Bethell - Commercial Negotiator

Thomas is our passionate Commercial Negotiator. He says FSS is "a company that prioritises its clients and strives to deliver exceptional service." He says "I truly appreciate Feather Smailes & Scales' commitment to professionalism." .

Stuart Bleasdale - Residential Sales and Auction Negotiator and Residential Sales Valuer

Joining FSS with 20 years of comprehensive knowledge and experience in residential sales across North Yorkshire, local lad Stuart brings his expertise to our expanding sales team. Offering an unprecedented and documented history of customer service excellence, Stuart upholds the FSS moto of Quality Trust and Value in everything he does.

Margaret Bridge - Finance Assistant

Margaret is our Finance and HR representative, she is a trusted and professional team member, adding to the loyalty that FSS’ trustworthy foundations have been built upon. Margaret loves the modern outlook the team brings to the property scene, she is the perfect fit to an overall caring team. Margaret is proud to be part of the FSS team and feels as though the partners go above and beyond to ensure that every member feels valued, appraised and well looked after.

Kyah Dent - Negotiator

Sales negotiator Kyah is a versatile and well respected member in the FSS office. Her passion for the team is unparalleled. She always wears a welcoming smile and her bubbly personality is always sure to spark positivity at FSS. Kyah is keen to help the team wherever she can, her enthusiasm and passion for work does not go unnoticed by her colleagues.

Howard Gaunt - Accompanied Viewer

Howard is one of our fabulous Accompanied Viewers here at FSS, described by his colleagues as friendly and accommodating, Howard is a people's person who everyone can trust! He enjoys engaging with clients and showing them around the properties, and gets ultimate satisfaction when they love the property as much as he does!

David Hinks - Accompanied Viewer

David Hinks is one of our very valued accompanied viewers. David is very approachable, friendly and well mannered. He is hard working and lives and breathes our values here at FSS of Quality, Trust & Value.

Kerry Grant - Residential Sales and Auction Negotiator and Residential Sales Valuer

Kerry has been within the property industry for 30 years and has extensive knowledge about the market. Kerry is very organised and efficient. She specialises in sales, auctions, commercial property and maintenance so is a definite all rounder! Kerry loves the people within the FSS family and believes that is what makes the agency so special.

Katy Haw - Survey Secretary

Katy is a diligent and reliable Survey Secretary with a deep understanding of the intricacies involved. She brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her role. Katy is thoroughly organised & efficient which is very necessary for her role. Katy approaches every task with meticulous attention to detail and a commitment to providing the best service.

Erica Johnson - Senior Lettings Negotiator

Dog lover and senior lettings negotiator Erica is the life of the office, she has an outstanding attention to detail with an approachable, excitable personality. Erica loves the caring, family feel at FSS and says that every day is exciting and different. She had 15 years of experience in the property industry and is a very valued member of the team.

Tracey Lee - Property Maintenance Assistant

Tracey is our enthusiastic Property Maintenance Assistant, Tracey brings an infectious positive energy to the maintenance team. Her colleagues would describe her as organised and extremely diligent, Tracey loves working within an office environment, especially in the wonderful and friendly space that is Feather Smailes Scales!

Eugene Keane - Head of Property Maintenance

Eugene is our Head of Property Maintenance, he is optimistic and always sees the light in every problem. Seen as patient and honest by his colleagues, he fits perfectly in the FSS team and complies with the business’ outstanding work ethics. Eugene has an overall up beat, glass half full approach to life, this has successfully taken him through 9 years within the property industry.

Alison Plant - Accompanied Viewer

Alison is one of our hard working accompanied viewers here at FSS. Alison is always positive with a smile on her face and enjoys speaking with people in a relaxed manner when showing them around properties. She enjoys seeing people who get excited when viewing a property and the feedback she has received from potential tenants and purchasers has been second to none. Alison is described by her colleagues here at FSS as always cheery and has a positive outlook which rubs off onto everyone.

Thabani Silamba - Finance Manager

Tabs is our reliable, friendly & positive Finance Manager. Our team describes Tabs as a breath of fresh air. He is incredibly reliable, responsive and efficient and fits the FSS family values to a T. Here's to a continued success with Tabs onboard.

Jonathan Smithson - Residential Lettings Coordinator

Jonathan is simply a superstar, with over 16 years of experience in the property industry, he has found an eye for detail and beams with confidence. He is the type of person who gets the job done, and this is exactly what the FSS team are known for. Specialising in lettings, Jonathan is the one to approach if you are looking to rent.

Lorna Witty - Property Maintenance Assistant

Lorna, FSS’ property maintenance specialist is a proactive, hardworking individual with more than 5 years of experience in the property industry. Her tenacious personality and organised mindset make her extremely valuable to the FSS team. Lorna loves FSS’ family atmosphere and the friendly characters within it.

Cathy Woodham - PA to Simon Croft

Cathy, otherwise known at FSS as the ‘property oracle’, is the Mother of the team. Over 43 years of experience in property and letting has developed accuracy, punctuality and reliability within her working character. Cathy has a drive for the growth of FSS and is passionate for the team she works with daily. Having been within the team from the very beginning, Cathy has watched FSS flourish into the most exceptional estate agency in Harrogate.