meet the team at james kendall.

James Kendall Managing Director AKA Mr Everywhere 

James started our agency in 2011 following a career in estate agency that began in 2003.

He grew tired of the corporate way of doing things and believed helping people move home could be done very differently.

James wanted something he could put his fingerprints on (not literally as he’s very clean), and having his name above the door’ as he puts it, means those prints are everything we do.

He insists on everything being done correctly and always aims to live by our agency’s three core values.

Be remarkable, always be personable and keep it simple.

James loves spending time with his fiance and two children, walking his dog Oscar and endures/enjoys watching his football team, which will remain unnamed here.

Best Bit About Working at James Kendall EA: I have the freedom to introduce ideas that I wouldn’t be able to if I were working within a corporate agency. It allows us to bring new ideas to help our clients sell for more money and less hassle.

Most Memorable Moment: During my brief radio presenting career (it’s a long story), I told a joke that caught one of the listeners’ ears. She sent me a message on social media, and fast forward (8  years), we are now engaged, have two children and a dog.

Top tip for sellers: Insist on an agency that accompanies 100 per cent of the viewings when your home is up for sale. This way, you’ll receive much more honest feedback, and an experienced agent is always the best person to share the features and benefits of your property.

Richard Bray Partner Agent AKA Our Intrepid Explorer

Richard has plenty of experience buying and selling houses, so he knows what people want from a remarkable estate agency.

He’s been an estate agent since 2017, following a long career in banking and the financial sector.

Richard loves working hard, and enjoys sharing his knowledge of the property market and delivering outstanding results for our clients.

A lesson he applies from his banking days is that it’s all about establishing rapport and good relationships.

He loves travelling and exploring new places.

He is kept on his toes by his wife, 4 Grandchildren, and 2 Beagles, Tillie & Cassie.

Best Bit About Working at James Kendall EA: “We’re really progressive and always looking to take things to the next level. Whether that be our village videos or online property tours.”

Most Memorable Moment: “Marrying my wife closely followed by completing our self-build house after two years of work.”

Top tip for sellers AND buyers:” I always message my buyers and sellers on completion with the same bit of advice I was given by my wife. The first thing to do when you get into the new home is to make your bed and put a bottle of wine or something refreshing to drink in the fridge. This way, you’ll know you’ve something nice to drink and a bed to flop into after what’s always a hectic day.”

Chloe does a bit of everything when it comes to helping our clients sell successfully.

This is the second part of her agency career as she ‘took a break’ to become a police officer for seven years. But she left the force when her two sons were born.

The long arm of the law’s loss was our gain, and having worked with James before, Chloe brings a lot of industry and life experience to her role.

She’s honest, hardworking and cares about giving clients the best possible advice rather than soundbites they may want to hear.

When she’s not helping clients achieve their moving goals, Chloe enjoys spending quality time with her family, socialising with her friends and checking out properties on Rightmove – She really loves her job.

Best Bit About Working at James Kendall EA: I love it when a plan comes together – when I see a property that I know will interest a buyer on our books, I get excited about matching them with it.

Most Memorable Moment: Having my two boys and watching them growing up.

Top tip for sellers: Trust your instinct when it comes to instructing an agent to sell your home. Remember, you’re entrusting them with your biggest tax-free asset.

Matthew Bandy – Assistant Sales Manager AKA Man About Town…and Villages

Matt’s been working with us since 2015, and despite being a youngster (according to James anyway), he’s built up a wealth of estate agency experience.

He’s often the face of our agency as we’ve recognised his Dermot O’Leary like presentation skills to let him loose on our video tours and property presentations.

The good thing is he enjoys doing them, and we think he is excellent at doing them. (Just like our Sandra, he’s too modest to say that himself).

He’s lived all his life locally, and away from being a video star, he loves football, meeting up with his mates and keeping fit.

Best Bit About Working at James Kendall EA: I get on well with the people I work with and love that we all take pride in what we do and how our agency presents itself.

Most Memorable Moment: Pre-lockdown, it was going to Malta for an incredible four-day music festival. Work wise it would be the work we did, especially James, for the computers for schools’ appeal.

Top tip for sellers: Instruct an agent that knows the local market, and when putting your property up for sale, remember the three C’s – Aim to make a clean, clutter-free and cared for an impression that will make prospective buyers want to live in the home you’ve created. 

Sandra is the person who keeps our clients happy and is with them every step of the way.

Why? Because her role is to make sure deals progress from the offer stage right through to exchanging contracts and completing the sale. And the good news for our clients is she’s brilliant at it (but far too modest to say that herself).

She lived in South Africa for many years, having moved there from Britain as a ten-year-old. She loves all creatures great and small (the wildlife world, not the TV show) and has a Pekingese dog called Jamie.

Sandra has a background in a wide range of customer-facing jobs, and her personability, attention to detail and sense of fairness shines through whatever she does.

If she had her time again, she tells us she’d want to be a high-flying solicitor. We think she’d be a super solicitor, but we’re not letting her head back to law school.

Best Bit About Working at James Kendall EA: We take our work seriously but still have a lot of fun. When you hear James say ‘Bosh!’ it usually means we’ve helped another client sell their home successfully.

Most Memorable Moment: 4.30 am deep in the South African bush, drinking coffee and watching the sunrise to the sound of roaring lions in the background. Magical. 

Top tip for sellers (and buyers): Don’t scrimp when it comes to instructing a solicitor to work on your behalf. It’ll often end up being much more expensive using a ‘cheap’ option than it would be employing an experienced conveyancer.

Carol Spivey Admin & Accounts Ace AKA James’s Mum

Carol has been with the business before it started – that’s because she is James’s mum and our admin and accounts ace.

With her acute attention to detail, she’s the perfect person to keep tabs on the financial side of the business.

Her focus on dotting the i’s and crossing the t’s means James and the team can concentrate on delivering exceptional levels of personalised client care.

Having previously run pubs, Carol knows the importance of being personable and approachable, and it’s something she brings to her work with us.

She also brings many years of experience working for a local authority’s financial department, providing advice to people around power of attorney and selling to pay for care home costs.

Carol’s a Chelsea supporter and has followed the blues since the days of Peter Bonetti and Peter Osgood. Along with her keen sense of humour, she’s also passed on her love for west London’s finest to James (no offence QPR, Brentford or Fulham fans).

Best Bit About Working at James Kendall EA: As a parent, it’s great to be able to help your child, and it’s been brilliant watching James grow the business, and I feel lucky to be able to help him do that.

Most Memorable Moment: Getting married on a beach in Barbados.

Top tip for sellers: Choose the estate agent who you want to sell your home wisely. Ask to see testimonials and speak with previous clients of theirs.

Rob is a seasoned lifestyle photographer with a keen eye for property and architectural details. Working alongside James Kendall Estate Agents for the past few years, Robert has mastered capturing homes in their best light, ensuring they stand out with premium marketing.

His expertise lies in showcasing properties to enhance views, generate interest, and elevate potential value for developers, builders, and estate agents. Rob resides in a picturesque north Bedfordshire village with his partner Rhona, the company’s talented copywriter, deeply rooted in the local community. Committed to excellence, he employs the latest equipment and undergoes continuous training to deliver top-notch imagery.

Rhona is James Kendall Estate Agents’ gifted copywriter, known for weaving compelling narratives that bring properties to life. Partnering with our photographer, Rob, she visits clients’ homes to delve deep into their stories.

Rhona believes that the essence of a home is more than its bricks and mortar; it’s the memories it holds and the life it has witnessed. With a keen understanding of how words shape perceptions, she crafts descriptions that paint vivid and enticing pictures in potential buyers’ minds.

Rhona captures the unique history, cherished memories, and nuances of living in each property by engaging directly with homeowners. Her descriptions go beyond the ordinary, highlighting room details, standout features, and local points of interest, ensuring every property is showcased in its best light.

When it comes to a popularity contest, our agency has one clear winner.

He’s devilishly handsome, loyal to a fault and very friendly, sometimes perhaps too much.

Ladies and gentlemen, allow us to introduce Oscar – the lovable Labrador and head of puplick relations (sorry, I couldn’t resist it, at James Kendall EA).

He’s got a cheeky Elvis like grin and an appetite for success – which to him is a load of treats, a nice, long walk and sleeping under the desk. It sounds like he’s got life’s big problems solved to us.

Oh, did we mention how much he loves his ball? 

Best Bit About Working at James Kendall EA: We’re sure he’d say all the attention, hugs and treats he gets – and his office ball, of course.

Most Memorable Moment: Having a game of chase with the postman – Oscar insists the postie loved it too.

Top Tip for Sellers, Buyers and Humans in General: Find a home near a park or a big field – ideal for walks.