One of the Westcountry’s longest established firms of chartered surveyors, auctioneers and property and land specialists Greenslade Taylor Hunt has added two new partners to the business, which covers Somerset, Devon and Dorset.

Tom Mellor and Sally Mitchell have worked their way up through the firm having both completed surveying courses whilst working in the agricultural department. This has given each of them a thorough understanding of the firm.

Chairman Graham Ford is delighted to welcome Tom and Sally into the GTH partnership. He said: “This further strengthens the agricultural department and breadth of services that we can offer existing and new clients, underlining our commitment to the rural and farming communities.”

The firm sponsored Tom through a diploma in surveying practice; and subsequently, an honours degree in estate management. He has been based at Sedgemoor Auction Centre, Junction 24, North Petherton, since it opened in 2008 and is a familiar figure selling sheep at the venue each Saturday.

A well-known member of the rural community he also carries out machinery sales at on-farm sales across the Westcountry. He qualified as a chartered surveyor in 2013 and became a Fellow of the Association of Agricultural Valuers in 2016.

Sally initially joined R. B. Taylor and Son's having graduated from Reading University with a BSc (Hons) degree in rural resource management. Following the merger with Greenslade Hunt Sally undertook a correspondence course with the College of Estate Management to allow her to obtain her chartered surveyor qualifications.

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The daughter of a Dorset dairy farmer Sally was well placed to start selling dairy cattle in 2001 when she was also made an associate. Her involvement with the farm sales department has continued over the years as she has developed her agricultural professional services covering all aspects of landlord and tenant matters, valuations, compensation claims, estate management etc whilst managing the Dorchester office.

She has been an agricultural partner with the firm since 2016 – the firm’s first female partner – and now takes on a full partnership role.

Welcoming the appointments, Derek Biss, who heads up the farm sales department, said: “As the longest serving GTH partner I am delighted to welcome two new partners both of whom I have worked closely with for many years. In my 32 years as a partner in our progressive partnership, our commitment to the agricultural community is further enhanced with the elevation of these two knowledgeable and experienced personalities, known already to many across Somerset and Dorset. We have exciting times ahead.”