Property experts to help you achieve your goals

Chris James

Head of Property Management

Chris joined AR in 2024 and has enjoyed a varied and interesting career over more than 30 years.

He has previously been Operations Director, Head of Property Management for the 2 largest property companies in the UK as well as Managing Director of smaller boutique businesses. Chris has worked as a consultant both in the UK and internationally throughout mainland Europe, Middle East and Asia. He was the founder of FM24 (later sold to Mace Plc) and the owner of a successful property management company for 12 years.

Chris’s philosophies and values are centred around exceptional customer service, innovation, creating a galvanised, motivated and enthusiastic team and collaboratively delivering the client’s vision for their property or portfolio.

Duncan Thomas

Head of Planning & Development Advisory

Duncan joined Aitchison Raffety in August 2024 as Head of Planning and Development, based in our London office.

Duncan has over 25 years’ experience of development, planning and regeneration projects nationwide gained through roles in both consultancy and client-side in the public sector. His projects have spanned various market sectors and ranged in scale from small scale opportunities through to major town and city centre mixed use developments and the delivery of new communities.

Leading the Planning and Development team Duncan is passionate about coordinating the delivery of high-quality advice to both existing and new clients of the business.

 

Gerard Barry

Head of Transactional & Capital Markets

Michelle Campbell

Head of Valuation

Michelle joined Aitchison Raffety in 2024 as Head of Valuation, with over 15 years’ experience in the real estate valuation industry as a Chartered Surveyor and Registered Valuer.

Michelle’s previous experience has covered the valuation of commercial and residential assets for loan security and regulated purpose instructions across the UK and EMEA, as well as high value portfolio mandates for institutional funds. Michelle also held the role of Head of Valuation Compliance at a global property consultancy, ensuring compliance with RICS and IVSC standards.

Leading the valuation team, Michelle is focussed on providing excellent client care through high quality advice and up-to-date market intelligence.

Paula Mace

Director, Head of Healthcare

Paula is a Director and Head of Healthcare here at Aitchison Raffety, one of the country’s leading experts on primary care centres and medical premises. Based out of the St Albans and London offices, she is responsible for the  healthcare team and services nationally.

Her role at Aitchison Raffety further encompasses strategic business planning, business development, risk management and quality control.

Paula joined the company in 2003 and has over 20 years’ experience in the healthcare sector having worked with many medical centres, surgeries, healthcare investors and funds across the country during this time.

Paula is recognised for her knowledge of healthcare property and extensive experience in the healthcare industry and provides a range of services, specialising in valuations for a variety of purposes including secured lending, partnership, accounts, portfolio, and court purposes for a range of clients from individual property owners and investors, to large portfolio investors with a considerable number of medical centres located nationwide. These services also include sale and leaseback, disposal and acquisition, and development work.

Paula is also involved in a variety of Landlord and Tenant work, acting in relation to rent reviews and lease renewal negotiations, dispute resolution, CMR appeals, as well as pharmacy, dental, and other types of clinic/medical rent reviews and lease renewals. She has significant experience as an Expert Witness in relation to rent review and lease renewal disputes including the PACT process.

As well as being a Member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, Paula also qualified as an Independent Expert in 2017 and is a member of the RICS panel of Independent Experts.

Paula’s experience has given her unrivalled knowledge of the healthcare sector and best practices in the industry. She has developed an extensive network of established contacts and relationships which aid her in offering the most refined and bespoke service possible to clients.

Qualifications:  MRICS

 

Rick Gibala

Director, Head of Business Rates

Rick is our Head of Business Rates having joined Aitchison Raffety in July 2022 to oversee the growth of the division in London and the Regional offices.

With over 12 years’ experience within the rating industry spanning the breadth of the country, Rick has advised and been client manager to some of the largest organisations in the UK.

Rick is experienced in the rating valuation of industrial premises including large distribution warehouses, banks, offices and retail. He also has experience with specialist properties including pubs, gyms, hotels, and car showrooms.