Meet the Team, Past and Present

Julie

My early career was quite varied beginning with working for a local authority in South Wales, where I dealt mainly with Right to Buy. I spent some years with British Airways working my way through to a position as Trainer before leaving to start a family. Over a period of time while my children were young, my roles varied from sales support/admin to livery yard hand and even wedding make-up artist. I took on prominent roles within voluntary groups, becoming the chairwoman of the large primary school PTA for some years before we left Berkshire. Like many people, we couldn’t wait for an opportunity to move to the West Country and we did that in 2002, when we were lucky enough to acquire a building plot in the lovely village of Thorncombe (West Dorset) and carried out a “self-build”, where we remain very happily. It was in 2003 that Estate Agency grabbed me and I realised that I had found my perfect role. I went quickly from part time to full time and began working for myself about 3 years later.

Gordon and Rumsby was born in January 2009 with my then business partner, Susan. Due to personal commitments, Susan stepped down from the business in 2010 but was happy for me to retain the name as we had started to become established even in that short space of time. In 2012, I opened the office in Colyton, moving to larger premises in 2014, from where we currently operate. My philosophy is do the best job I can for my client. We specialise in being considerate, fair, friendly and professional and are developing a strong reputation, which is why much of our business comes through recommendation.

Abby

Belinda

I have always considered East Devon to be my home. I grew up in Bristol but as a child I would regularly visit my grandparents in Colyton and then once school was over I moved here on a permanent basis. It’s a beautiful part of the world and the people here are kind, friendly and helpful – why would I want to live anywhere else?

Most of my adult life has been spent travelling the West Country working as a medical rep within the pharmaceutical industry. Then one day I had a “light bulb” moment when I finally realised I really didn’t like what I was doing. I wanted to do something that really motivated and interested me so here I am working in estate agency. I have always had a very keen interest in property and over the years have bought and renovated several properties. I am now very lucky to be working in a role that I feel truly passionate about and with the lovely people who brought me here in the first place.

Beyond the office my two main interests include singing and motorcycling. For the benefit of others I do most of my singing in private, whereas other people have said for the benefit of others I shouldn’t be riding my bike!!

Christine

I have worked for Gordon and Rumsby since 2016 looking after the office Saturday mornings. Living in Devon creates lots of great opportunities to do things that I enjoy, like swimming in the sea, running and exploring the countryside. Working at Gordon and Rumsby is a pleasure, the friendly team and talking to the customers makes it so. I know the west country well having lived in Bristol and spent happy holidays in Dorset and Devon. It’s useful to share my favourite walks and places to visit with customers looking to make Devon their home.

Paul Lowe

Not quite a local but getting there, ‘they say you have to have three generations in the grave to be considered a local’…just one to go, so nearly there!!

I have lived and worked in East Devon since the mid 1980’s working in property in one way or another ever since. My estate agency journey started as an eager 19 year old looking for a career in estate agency that eventually ended nearly 16 years later managing an office selling country houses in East Devon.

For the next 15 years, I worked for East Devon District Council Housing Department mainly dealing with the delivery of affordable housing. Even after leaving the council, I remain passionate about affordable housing, I believe it is important that local people have a chance to rent or buy in the community in which they grew up.

So, after a gap of over 15 years I decided to return to estate agency - something I didn’t think I would do until one day I met Julie (who valued our home) and Emily at a property my wife and I were viewing 3 years ago. I remember saying to my wife at the time, that if I was ever going to return to estate agency it would only be to work for Gordon and Rumsby and here I am! I’ve found the whole team to be extremely caring and professional in all they do. Caring and going the extra mile is literally at the core of Julie’s business, and I love that!

Colyton is such a beautiful place. So much so that my wife and I decided to move locally here nearly 10 years ago and have never regretted it. Shortly after moving to Colyton, the archery club that I belong to was relocated to the Town. So, you can often see me shooting at the local playing fields with fellow club members on a Sunday afternoon. Why not come and join me!

As well as archery, I enjoy volunteering for East Devon Conservation Group. This takes me all over East Devon helping to improve and conserve our stunning countryside and habitats. I like to think I’m doing my bit in looking after the place I call home. As a grandparent, I hope that East Devon will be as bio-diverse and attractive a place for my grandchildren to explore in the future, as it is now.