Gray’s was established in January 2005 and initially operated from Hamsterley near Bishop Auckland and Lambton Park at Chester le Street. In October 2005, the Company took occupation of its Richmond office following a need to recruit more staff. This office was moved in November 2007 to larger premises at Richmond Station.David Gray, the chairman of the Company, was formerly an equity partner and head of the Estate Management and Rural Practice Department with Smiths Gore. He was joined by Calum Gillhespy as managing director, with whom he has worked closely since 1998. Between them they have 30 years of experience dealing with most aspects of rural property.
Back-up is given to them by a team of surveyors and support staff together with an estate office team directly employed by one of Gray’s clients.
In the light of the increasingly commercial nature of rural property, the Company felt that it was important to retain a surveyor with a commercial background. Accordingly, Garran Bramley with over twenty years experience in the commercial sector, started work for the company in January 2007 and is based at our Lambton office.
In August 2008, the Company opened an office in Durham following its continued expansion. This office is headed by Phil Scott- Priestley, an agent with a specialist sporting background which strengthens this aspect of Gray's services.