ABOUT USMoving, moved forward
We set up The Country House Department because we felt the traditional estate agency model was selling some exceptional properties short. We know what matters when you’re moving and we’re determined to move things forward.
With us, you’ll deal exclusively with professionals who have years of experience selling the finest country homes. We’ll bring you deep local knowledge and immersive property presentation, to showcase the world beyond your walls. Better still, we’ll do all this without resorting to the opaque commission model that treats sellers unfairly.
MEET OUR FOUNDERSAndrew Russell
and Ben Bentley
We are country home specialists with years of experience selling houses in Oxfordshire, Berkshire and The Cotswolds. Both senior property professionals, we met whilst working for one of the country’s leading national estate agents, where we discovered that we shared similar ideas on the service that sellers should receive.
Our emphasis is on client care and a proactive approach. Without the high cost of high street offices, we can choose to focus on fewer properties and to spend more time on the things that matter. On you, on your buyers and on getting your home noticed. In this way, we can finally do justice to the finest country homes.
ABOUT USMeet the team
Ben is a country house specialist, based in the Cotswolds, where he has operated for a number of years having previously worked for Strutt & Parker. Here, he focuses on selling properties across some of the most desirable addresses in the region. In 2020, Ben co-founded The Country House Department with Andrew Russell.
Andrew is based in Oxfordshire, having previously worked in Mayfair, where he handled the sale of properties across the home counties for Strutt & Parker. In 2017, he moved to Oxfordshire with his young family and oversees the sale of some of the most beautiful homes in Oxfordshire and Berkshire. In 2020, Andrew co-founded The Country House Department with Ben Bentley.
Nick is an immensely experienced agent, having formerly worked for Strutt & Parker and Knight Frank. Focussed on West Berkshire, North East Wiltshire, North Hampshire & South Oxfordshire, Nick prides himself on excellent client care and has a passion for dealing with the top-end of the market.
Ian is a highly experienced prime country house specialist, having worked in the Cotswolds and Wiltshire for a number of years for Butler Sherborn and Strutt & Parker. Ian grew up and was educated in Wiltshire before moving to the Cotswolds in 2004 after a career as an Officer in the British Army. Ian prides himself on being able to adapt to the challenges every sale poses.
Freddy is a highly experienced agent having started his career in London, before spending nearly a decade with both Savills and Knight Frank’s National Country House Departments selling prime property across the UK. Having moved back to his home county of Gloucestershire, Freddy focuses on the Cotswold and South West property market. With a wealth of experience, Freddy goes the extra mile to give his clients and buyers a first class experience.
Annabel has over 14 years experience in property working for leading International agencies, most recently Savills in Sunningdale. She has a wealth of knowledge in both Lettings and Sales in prime central London and more recently in East Berkshire and Surrey. Annabel prides herself on maintaining exceptional client relationships and delivering the best possible service.
Having grown up Oxfordshire, Nikki Hemsley holds an especially detailed knowledge of the area. Nikki has a breadth of experience and started her career with Knight Frank, before moving back to Oxfordshire in 2018 to head up Village and Rural Country Sales across the county for WEST – The Property Consultancy. Nikki is a wholly different property professional, who exudes drive, care, with an impressive attention to detail for her clients.
Billy is our Creative Director and responsible for all creative output. Having built a fantastic reputation as one of the leading photographers in the industry, Billy is a personable and highly effective image maker, with meticulous attention to detail and a passion for presenting properties in the way they deserve.
John is Managing Director and founder of JDP, Executive Search Consultants to the legal profession. He is a leading authority on strategic legal recruitment and over his 33 years plus headhunting career, he has been the originator of a large number of high-profile City appointments as well as the architect of numerous law firm merger discussions.
Sophia worked many years in London, for Smythson of Bond Street. Having returned to Oxfordshire where she was educated and grew up, Sophia is part of our central functions team. Sophia has a love for property and fantastic eye for details.
Kin has over ten years experience in the photography and video production industry. Having previously had is own company in Hong Kong, where he worked with some of the world’s leading brands, Kin moved to the UK and has already made his mark as a leading property photographer and videographer.
Stuart Miles is incredibly experienced having worked in the property industry for over 20 years covering some of the most beautiful towns and villages in Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire.
Stuart specialises in selling prime property and has dealt with both high-net-worth clients and buyers during 15 years of being based in Marlow, for Hamptons International.
Stuart prides himself on offering the highest level of service managing transactions promptly to completion.
