About Us
Meet the Stanley Wright team
Stanley Wright was created in 2011 out of the need for an independent voice to address the concerns of property owners with considerable rural assets. Managing these assets in a professional manner that yields long-term benefits clearly required a bespoke approach: so, Stanley Wright was born. Focused on our client’s requirements, we provide tailor-made advice and high-quality services across a range of disciplines to address the issues faced by owners of property and other rural assets.
Our core business is the day-to-day management of traditional country estates, where we mix conventional management with a modern and innovative approach. We act for individuals, families, trusts and companies with tenanted and in hand farms, let properties, heritage assets, sporting, renewables, forestry and diversified businesses.
We are Chartered Surveyors offering a comprehensive range of services from project management to valuations and strategic estate reviews. A highly experienced and dedicated team deliver key ancillary services from accounting and bookkeeping, to mapping and compliance. Extending all the benefits of a smaller, tight-knit team, Stanley Wright puts our clients’ best interests at the heart of its activity.
We are trusted in managing in excess of 150,000 acres, 60 tenanted farms, 100 let residential dwellings, over 100 commercial lettings, 15 miles of salmon fishing and consulting on many more.
Our Staff
Nick Wright
Director - BA (Hons), MRICS
Principal Nick Wright is a Chartered Surveyor of more than 20 years’ experience. Nick has worked in rural property since 1996. Following training with Lane Fox in London and the Cotswolds, he became a Partner at The Judith Milton Partnership and was Managing Director of Buccleuch John Sale as well as a Director of Buccleuch Rural Solutions. Nick established Stanley Wright to offer an independent consultancy service dedicated to rural property owners.
Office: 01659 58697
Mobile: 07920 745045
Email: nick@stanleywright.co.uk
Gordon Kerr
Director - MRICS FAAV
Gordon is a Chartered Surveyor and Fellow of the Association of Agricultural Valuers with a Masters in Land Economy from the University of Aberdeen. He commenced his career in 2004 working initially in Lancashire before relocating to Perth and ultimately moving back to his home county of Dumfriesshire in 2017. Gordon is experienced in a wide range of rural surveying matters including landlord and tenant, farm & estate management, development & agency, energy, diversification and environmental management.
Office: 01659 58697
Mobile: 07387 605261
Email: gordon@stanleywright.co.uk
David Chalstrey
Consultant - Dip Surv MSc MRICS
David is an experienced Chartered Surveyor having worked in the property industry since 1996. He specialises in rural management, landlord and tenant, agency and valuation, having a keen interest in Natural Capital, ESG and Sustainability strategy for the rural economy. With a Masters in Rural Estate Management from The Royal Agricultural University having originally studied Building Surveying and Valuation at University College of Estate Management he can advise client on many levels. David looks after the firms interests in England and is based in Gloucestershire.
Office: 01659 58697
Mobile: 07881 389119
Katherine Kerr
Professional Services - MRICS
Katherine is a Chartered Surveyor and Registered Valuer experienced in land management acting for private, public and institutional clients across Scotland. From a farming family in Fife, Katherine studied at Aberdeen University before starting her career in Dumfriesshire in 2005 with Smiths Gore before relocating to Perthshire and joining Bidwells LLP in 2010. Katherine returned to Dumfriesshire in 2017 and has a wealth of experience advising estates in strategic management of their diverse portfolios and in professional work including all aspects of infrastructure projects and rural property valuations.
Office: 01659 58697
Mobile: 07741 909524
Email: katherine@stanleywright.co.uk
James Barnett
Rural Surveyor - BSc (Hons) MRICS
James joined Stanley Wright in 2020 and qualified as a Chartered Surveyor in 2023. Originally from Yorkshire, James graduated from Harper Adams University with a BSc (Hons) in Rural Enterprise and Land Management. He began his work in Scotland on the Isle of Bute, working as a trainee surveyor for the Mount Stuart Trust, developing his skills and knowledge in the running and management of mixed rural estates.
Office: 01659 58697
Mobile: 07827747994
Email: james@stanleywright.co.uk
Jamie Holden
Graduate Surveyor - BSc (Hons) Rural Land Management
Jamie joined Stanley Wright in 2023 after graduating from the Royal Agricultural University with a BSc (Hons) Rural Land Management. Moving to Scotland from Lancashire, he is based on the Ardgowan Estate in Inverkip where he has the role of Assistant Estate Manager whilst also assisting the Directors with other management clients, professional services and moving towards his RICS qualification.
Office: 01659 58697
Mobile: 07909 104256
Email: jamie@stanleywright.co.uk
Blake Hatfield
Assistant Forest Manager - BSc (Hons) Countryside Management
Blake is an assistant forest manager and is passionate about the countryside and the impact our interactions have on it. His interest in the natural environment was further developed through his degree in Countryside Management which has allowed him to gain an understanding of the workings of the rural and environmental sectors in which we operate. Previously with the Wye & Usk Foundation, he was tasked with improving the water quality and general environment of the catchment through land and forestry management practises.
Office: 01659 58697
Mobile: 07502 915681
Email: blake@stanleywright.co.uk
Caroline McMillan
Property Manager - BSc (Hons), CIH Level 3
Caroline is Property Manager at SW, looking after client’s residential portfolios from compliance to letting and managing the terrier system to ensure rents are reviewed and important dates flagged. Qualified to CIH Level 3 Certificate in Letting and Managing Residential Properties and experienced in project management, Caroline also takes care of maintenance schedules and refurbishment works for our clients’ properties. She joined SW following a career in agricultural chemicals, sales and marketing and also manages a livestock farm with her husband.
Office: 01659 58697
Mobile: 07741 909525
Email: caroline@stanleywright.co.uk
Kay Dallas
Mapping & Projects
Having previously worked for 20 years with Registers of Scotland, Kay joined SW in 2019 and with her in-depth knowledge is critical to driving forward Voluntary Registration for clients as well as general title queries and mapping.
Office: 01659 58697
Email: kay@stanleywright.co.uk
Kate Brace
Book keeper / Accounts Assistant
Kate previously worked in Darlington Borough Council Revenues Department for almost 10 years, where she was part of a small, specialist debt recovery and computer system analysis team. Kate returned home to Scotland and joined SW in 2014. She currently works in the Accounts team, concentrating on Client’s day to day book keeping.
Office: 01659 58697
Email: kate@stanleywright.co.uk
Katie Keiley
Accounts Manager - BSc (Hons) Agric, MSc
Katie is a business consultant with over 25 years of agricultural consultancy and accountancy experience in South West Scotland and Northern England. Katie holds agricultural and accountancy qualifications and has combined both to run her own rural Management Accountancy practice since 2008. Katie’s area of expertise is providing management accounts to clients and ensuring they are equipped with the knowledge to measure and improve their business performance. Outside work, Katie runs a small farm along with her husband and two daughters, and enjoys showing her Belted Galloway cattle and sheep.
Office: 01659 58697
Email: katie@stanleywright.co.uk
Emma Ewan
PA to Directors
Emma joined Stanley Wright in 2016 from a legal firm in Glasgow and has wide experience in property, including in-house management of a historic house and estate in the Scottish Borders. Having worked with Stanley Wright’s properties for a number of years, she has an excellent understanding of the day-to-day workings of many of our managed estates. Emma’s background and passion is in fine art and furniture.
Office: 01659 58697
Email: emma@stanleywright.co.uk
Rona Simpson
Engagement Co-ordinator
Rona worked in publishing for 15 years before moving into conservation and is currently studying for a master’s degree in Wildlife and Conservation Management. Drawing on her background in communications and her passion for all things outdoors she joined the forestry team in 2022 as our Engagement Co-ordinator.
Office: 01659 58697
Email: rona@stanleywright.co.uk