Meet the Team
KEN BIRD – MANAGING DIRECTOR
Ken is a qualified Chartered Surveyor and has 30 years’ experience in the local property market having sold thousands of houses in Wetherby and surrounding villages. Leaving Trent Polytechnic, Nottingham with an honour’s degree in Urban Estate Surveying he joined Hepper Watson in Leeds as a trainee negotiator/valuer in 1982. Promoted after 9 months and transferred to his home town where he went on to run two successful offices at Wetherby and Boston Spa after the partners at the time sold out to the Halifax group in 1987.
Head hunted in 1997 to join Renton & Parr as a partner before taking over as Managing Director in March 2011.
Married to Louise they have three sons, Patrick, Thomas and Alex all University graduates from Newcastle.
Ken has been an active member of Wetherby Rugby and Golf Clubs and still finds time to captain TABS 3rd team cricket side in the York Vale League.
Ken is a qualified Chartered Surveyor and passionate about property and customer satisfaction and over the years established himself as one of the most respected estate agents in Wetherby.
MAUREEN YOUNG – FINANCE MANAGER
Maureen brings a depth of extraordinary local knowledge to a job which she has done for over 20 years, and is an Associate Member of the Guild of Professional Estate Agents. Maureen has lived in the area all her life, and was involved in the design and building of her home in Boston Spa. Her involvement in the local community has included being Chairman of Boston Spa Ladies Circle and Boston Spa Tangent raising money for national and local charities.
She has a passion for travel, enjoys entertaining and was an active member of Boston Spa Badminton Club playing at league standard for many years. Having joined Renton & Parr from the Halifax in 2001, she is totally dedicated to providing an excellent customer service and we believe that her experience and integrity at all levels has ensured that Renton & Parr is exceptionally well placed to continue to thrive in the future.
SONIA WESTERMAN – SECRETARY/I.T CO-ORDINATOR
Sonia joined Bernard Thorpe Estate Agents back in 1989 which shortly thereafter was known as DTZ (Debenham Thorpe) where she was Secretary for two of the Valuers. After a short break to start a family Sonia joined Renton & Parr in 1994 to cover secretarial duties. 18 years later she is still here and is now Secretary to Mr Kenneth Bird Bsc Hons and I.T. Co-ordinator for all departments.
With over 20 years’ experience Sonia is also the longest serving member of the current staff at Renton & Parr. Married for nearly 24 years, with two daughters, life can be extremely hectic but Sonia enjoys holidays, shopping and socialising.
GILLY WRIGHT – SALES NEGOTIATOR
Gilly joined Renton & Parr following 22 years working in the Education Sector. She has also been employed in the Fitness Industry and in Marketing. Gilly has 10 years’ experience in residential sales as a negotiator and sales progressor, in Wetherby and the surrounding villages, in both happy and more troubled times. As an effective sales negotiator, Gilly values high level customer service. She is a good communicator and displays a calm, considered and meticulous approach in her role, and throughout the sales process. Gilly is an Associate Member of the Guild of Professional Estate Agents.
Originally from Lancashire, Gilly has lived in Bardsey for 19 years where she is actively involved in the village as a Parish Councillor and Community School Governor. A keen walker in the local area and involved in numerous charitable events.
JAYNE UPPERTON – SALES NEGOTIATOR
Jayne has over 30 years experience as a Registered Nurse, latterly in senior nursing management roles at the Harrogate and Leeds hospitals.
She is looking forward to the challenges of this career change and building her knowledge of the property market.
DAVID SCOTT - ACCOMPANIED VIEWER
David has recently joined the Renton & Parr team and brings with him a wealth of business experience. He is a qualified Surveyor and has many years’ experience working in senior management roles, and Director level positions. David has led management teams engaged in prestigious construction projects in various locations both in the UK, and overseas while in the employment of International Construction Companies. Over the last few years, following requests from both business contacts and a highly respected Business Consultancy Company, David has successfully advised and grown a number of businesses with his expert management and marketing skills. As well as working in some interesting locations, he has found time to enjoy both watching and participating in different sports. He is a lifelong fan of music as performed by the likes of Frank Sinatra and in particular Tony Bennett.
THOMAS BIRD - SALES NEGOTIATOR
Thomas is a keen sportsman and has represented Rugby Union to County standard and captained the freshman rowing crew at Northumbria University. During his Business Degree Thomas gained a year of industry experience in the form of a Placement at General Motors. Upon graduating from Northumbria University with a first Class Hons degree Thomas worked within sales in the Medical device industry before embarking on his travels around South and North America.
Joining the company in 2012 Thomas has demonstrated tremendous enthusiasm and competence in his role and is keen to gain further experience and knowledge in the property market. Thomas is undertaking additional industry qualifications and training to ensure he is up to speed with current legislations and the high industry standards maintained at Renton & Parr.
JACQUIE FRANKLIN - SALES NEGOTIATOR
After graduating from Trent Polytechnic with a Degree in 3-D design Jacquie worked as a freelance scenic artist within theatre and commercial set production. Clients ranged from Madame Tussauds to Opera North. Jacquie returned to Yorkshire to be near her family and has many years experience in Customer Service Management working for various blue chip companies including BBC Education.
Before joining Renton & Parr Jacquie worked for a major corporate estate agent for eight years as a Sales and Lettings Negotiator. Committed to making that extra effort to deliver a second to none professional service Jacquie is motivated to utilise her experience and industry knowledge at Renton & Parr.
