Our team is our best asset, each with their own skill-set and specialising in either, sales or lettings. Covering South Wales and based between our Cardiff and Pontypridd offices, we can help with all your property needs, whether you are looking to buy, sell, rent or let. Our property specialists can help you every step of the way.
SARAH EVANS
GENERAL MANAGER
Sarah’s role crosses companies, as she oversees both James Douglas Sales and Lettings and the Student Living brand, as well as our partner company, Seraph Property Management. As the two companies grow side by side, naturally the director, Douglas Haig, values the additional experience and expertise that Sarah can bring to the team. Sarah’s experience in the property industry, including acquisitions and being at the forefront of business change, allows Sarah to streamline James Douglas’ processes as they also are experiencing significant growth and expansion.
Sarah isn’t afraid to get stuck in and is involved in nearly every aspect of the business which means she is a vital part of the team. Her natural ability to lead the team into new processes and changes is what makes her liked by all. A highly influential member of James Douglas, Sarah contributes daily to the ongoing successes and in the ever-changing environment, with the constant demands in legislation that faces the property industry, Sarah ensures all of our clients and projects remain to the highest possible standard.
When not managing three offices and 30 members of staff, Sarah likes to spend time with her family and is a local resident of the seaside town of Penarth. As well as running around after her little boy, she also keeps fit at the gym!
Oliver Manifold
HEAD OF LETTINGS
Oliver (Olly) is our Head of Lettings, covering the the lettings sides of both James Douglas & My Student Living brands and will be able to assist both tenants and landlords with any queries about renting in Wales. Olly comes with a wealth of knowledge and experience of the rental market in South Wales and has a passion for providing a fantastic service to landlords and tenants.
Olly is likely to spot trends in the rental market and communicates these with landlords, his quick reactions allows us to provide a great service to landlords and tenants. Olly also heads up any legislation changes and implement these within our teams to ensure our properties and landlords remain compliant. Olly specialises in rental valuations, including complex set-ups and commercial builds.
Born in Bristol, Olly moved to South Wales in 2011 and has since settled in Pontypridd with his partner, two children and their dog. When Olly is not helping landlords and tenants with their property, he will be spending quality time with his family, out on long dog walks, or trying out new restaurants .
Bernadette Lovitt
Head of sales
Bernie is our Head of Sales, having worked in the property industry for over 16 years, Bernie has worked in most areas of the sector including property management, corporate, lettings as well as sales. Whilst Bernie comes with heaps of experience, she is also fully qualified via both ARLA/Propertymark as well as Rent Smart Wales. Bernie covers both Nuttall Parker and James Douglas Sales teams, she ensures high quality property listings at their most achievable price.
If she’s not travelling between our branches, she’s travelling to other countries and cities as she loves to explore and travel as much as possible! She also enjoys walking her Cockapoo ‘Pickle’, gardening and spending time with family.
Levi St John
Senior Sales valuer
Levi is our Senior Sales Valuer, primarily based in our Cardiff branch but also covers Pontypridd areas. Levi has been in estate agency since 2012 and therefore brings a wealth of experience and knowledge of house price trends and markets. He comes from a strong customer service background, constantly working between both the seller and purchaser. Levi is the go-to person if you are looking to know the current value of your home, he also does the photography and videography of the properties coming to market.
Levi offers great tips and advice for people looking to buy or sell properties, such as the best questions to ask when you’re on a viewing and top tips when purchasing a buy-to-let investment. Levi is looking to upskill further and train in commercial sales, as well as becoming an EPC Assessor!
When Levi is not selling properties, he is a huge ‘foodie’ and enjoys cooking, creating recipes and trying out new restaurants and street food.
Matthew Birt
SALES VALUER
Matthew is our Senior Sales Negotiator, primarily based in our Pontypridd branch. Matthew has been in estate agency since 2016 and has gained experience from both independent and corporate estate agents in the Pontyclun/Pontypridd areas.
Matthew can help with all of your property related enquiries and has a wealth of residential sales based knowledge. His main roles with James Douglas will include property valuations, photography, viewings, sales negotiation and sales progression. Matthew’s passion is helping people onto the property ladder and helping our sellers see the sale through to completion with consistent feedback and guidance.
Outside of work Matthew is a big football fan supporting Liverpool FC, although he wanted us to point out that even if you are a Manchester United fan, he’s still more than happy to help you sell! Matthew also has an 8 year-old daughter who he loves to spend time with when not in the office. He also keeps himself fit with 5-a-side football and has recently started Brazilian jiu-jitsu, to go along with his black belt in kickboxing!
Gemma Quick
SALES AND Lettings Negotiator
Gemma is our Sales and Lettings Negotiator primarily based in the Cardiff branch in Roath. Having worked in the property industry since 2018, Gemma has the knowledge on the selling and purchasing of properties as well as the residential lettings side. Gemma is the main point of contact for viewing properties for sale or to let in the Cardiff area.
Gemma’s passion stemmed from her job and enjoys dealing in property as well as following the customer’s journey of helping people find their first or dream home. Helping them through this progress is what Gemma finds ‘a great feeling and very rewarding’!
Born and bred in Cardiff, Gemma has extensive knowledge of the city which comes in handy for people who are looking to move to the area! If you’re a landlord or vendor in Cardiff, then you will most likely be in contact with Gemma on your property journey.
When Gemma isn’t selling properties, she is out and about, socialising and on adventurers, her participation in our Virtual Charity Walking challenge saw her walk a whopping 280 miles in a month! As you can imagine, Gemma enjoys keeping fit at the gym and has recently purchased a road bike and training for the Carten 100 challenge in 2022 which will see her cycle from Cardiff to Tenby!
Hannah Green
LETTINGS NEGOTIATOR
Hannah has been in this industry for just over a year, having previously worked in private student accommodation. Prior to that, her background was in the call centre industry and as an experienced case worker in the legal sector which as a result she has excellent client care and communication skills.
Hannah has achieved her Business Administration Level 2 and having gained her Agent License qualification for Rent Smart Wales, she is always eager to put these skills into action in her role as Lettings Negotiator. She is focused on achieving all she can within the lettings side of property with her ultimate goal being able to help with sales too.
In her spare time she likes to stay in shape and enjoy lots of country walks with her boyfriend and their dog. She is also a traveller that loves new experiences with her close friends and family. Her ultimate passion though is food and likes discovering new restaurants, she is a firm favourite at the payday meal!
Fun fact about Hannah – she is an excellent swimmer and use to swim for her local team Llantrisant Sharks!
Kelsey Curtis
LETTINGS VALUER
Kelsey is our Lettings Valuer based in our Pontypridd office, she covers all of the Rhondda Cynon Taff and South Wales Valley to assist landlords with their property rentals. Kelsey has an eye for rental potential and can advise landlords on how to achieve the best rental yield for their property, as well as securing the most suitable tenants. Having been in the property industry since 2018 and being a landlord herself, Kelsey understands what it takes to be a landlord and understands the complexities of the market.
Kelsey has a mixture of sales, lettings and property management experience, which she applies to her role daily. As well as being Rent Smart Wales qualified, Kelsey also holds a Safeagent qualification from her time at property management.
If she’s not sourcing properties for her investor landlords, then she will be looking for investments herself! As a new landlord Kelsey has a passion for property renovations and when she’s not working on her property empire, Kelsey loves nothing more than spending time with her son and her friends.