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.

Gerard Barry

Head of Transactional & Capital Markets

Gill Crowther

People Director

Gill joined Aitchison Raffety in January 2022 and has almost 30 years’ experience in HR in a variety of industries, companies and as a consultant.

As a fellow of the CIPD, Gill is a strategic HR leader with a passion for bringing out the best in Leaders and Managers and helping organisations meet their strategic goals through their people.

Ian Wimpenny

Managing Director

Ian joined Aitchison Raffety in 2021 and was appointed Managing Director in 2024. With  over 20 years’ of experience in the real estate valuation industry, Ian was responsible for the business’ valuation service line.  Ian is a Chartered Surveyor and Registered Valuer and has developed a specialism in the execution, review and management of valuations in the UK and EMEA region. Ian was promoted to his role as Managing Director in 2024, where he now leads the growth of the business across key markets in the UK, through fostering high-performing teams. Ian is passionate about delivering excellence and driving innovation within the markets Aitchison Raffety operates.

Lottie Bonney

Finance and Operations Director

Lottie joined Aitchison Raffety in June 2020 and was appointed to the Executive Board in October 2020.  She is responsible for overseeing all financial aspects of the company and works closely with the Managing Director to achieve the company’s operational and people strategies.

Lottie plays a key role in our financial management and planning and leads initiatives to improve efficiency and productivity alongside Aitchison Raffety’s ambitious growth strategy.

Lottie brings to Aitchison Raffety a wealth of commercial finance experience spanning almost 20 years having previously worked with consultancies including Page Group, United Outcomes and Practicus Ltd.

Qualifications: ACMA CGMA

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.