ABOUT US
CHARTED SURVEYORS REPRESENTING HOMEOWNERS AFFECTED BY THE THREAT OF COMPULSORY PURCHASE
In 2008, our Director Dan Knowles was living in the middle of a housing estate which was under threat of Compulsory Purchase. He was already a Surveyor but wasn't working in Compulsory Purchase.
Many years before, as a 16-17 year old, he spent half a year homeless. He learned the importance of having a secure roof over his head. When his home was later threatened by Compulsory Purchase, those old feelings of protecting your rights came flooding back.
From 2008 till 2013, he specialised in Compulsory Purchase working for Councils and Developers, building and promoting Compulsory Purchase Orders. In 2011, he also began to represent homeowners.
In 2013, he set up Sawyer Fielding to work for homeowners. Dan believes that homeowners have the right to be treated fairly, to have regeneration happen with them, not to them. He believes that homeowners should receive settlements that enable them to get on with the rest of their lives, without the scars of what is otherwise a difficult process to live through. Dan also believes that homeowners should use a Surveyor who specialises rather than a 'have a go' Surveyor. Most Council's, developers or housing associations use specialists. Homeowners doing the same merely levels the playing field, ready for negotiations.
The company initially helped homeowners predominantly in the boroughs of Barnet and Ealing. In recent years, we have expanded our service to cover all of London and surrounding areas, working on some of the most high profile regeneration schemes around.
We have grown from strength to strength over the years, now employing a team of likeminded Chartered Surveyors and other team members. We are widely recognised within the Industry as the most experienced and we like to think, the best team in the UK who help homeowners.
Dan, himself, has been awarded Fellowship status of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, an accolade bestowed to the most experienced and influential Chartered Surveyors.
We also set up our own Sawyer Fielding Gives back service, where we donate significant amounts of money to housing related charities. We’re very proud in what we do.
As for Dan, he is still at the helm leading everything we do, protecting the rights of homeowners. He now also regularly presents to groups of homeowners, professional associations and those working within the industry. He also sits on the RICS Compulsory Purchase expert panel and co-wrote the RICS guide to Compulsory Purchase.
MEET THE TEAM
DIRECTOR
DAN KNOWLES FRICS
Dan has represented more homeowners affected by Compulsory Purchase than any other Chartered Surveyor in the UK. He founded Sawyer Fielding in 2013 and has grown a team widely recognised as the Industry experts in representing homeowners.
He has been a Chartered Surveyor since 2009 and is also an RICS Registered Valuer and has Fellowship status in the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors. One of his proudest achievements is setting up our charitable arm, ‘Sawyer Fielding Gives Back’, which has now donated over £35,000 to a range of deserving charities.
Dan regularly presents to residents groups, trade bodies and other professionals on how regeneration should work, happening with residents rather than to them.
Dan sits on the RICS Expert panel on Compulsory Purchase and in 2021, co-wrote the RICS Consumer guide. He is also a former elected Board member of the Compulsory Purchase Association where he Chaired the Estate regeneration working group, which fed into Government policy. He has also sat on a Government panel of experts reforming Compulsory Purchase guidance and has presented to the Mayor of London’s office on effective Estate balloting.
Outside of work, much of Dan’s life is devoted to his two young sons so is often found at a local park or farm. Where he does get time to himself, Dan is a keen photographer, has a love of the West End theatre and is a long suffering Wolverhampton Wanderers football club fan.
DIRECTOR
Richard Stacey MRICS
Richard is a Chartered Surveyor and an RICS Registered Valuer. He has specialised in residential property for over 20 years, with previous roles and responsibilities including time with the Thamesview group, Brendons and Buntings Surveyors and as a former Director of The Chambers Property Group.
Richard has undertaken large volumes of valuation and survey work including complex Compulsory Purchase and Leasehold Reform (extensions and enfranchisement) matters. He has also undertaken a range of other valuations including to aid assessments of Capital Gains tax and Inheritance tax. He has regularly negotiated settlements and prepared expert reports for Tribunal and Court purposes.
Outside of work, Richard tries to keep fit and healthy and enjoys quality family time.
ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR
Nicky Welton MRICS
Nicky has been a Surveyor since 2017, now Chartered, an RICS Registered Valuer and an Associate Director for us. She is also a member of the Compulsory Purchase Association, attending training events to keep up to date with both Industry practice and changes in the law. Nicky is also an APC Assessor, which is for the qualification for those seeking to become Chartered.
Before joining Sawyer Fielding, Nicky worked for Carter Jonas in the West End, in their Compulsory Purchase and Valuation teams. On some of the schemes we are involved with Nicky negotiates with her former colleagues. She has a specialist knowledge of leasehold properties and also those of a non traditional construction type. She combines her technical and analytical skills with a desire to ensure that all of our clients have a personal service by someone who is willing to listen. She is a firm believer that if you are losing your home, you should be treated as an individual, with individual needs.
Outside of work, Nicky enjoys spending time with her friends and family and keeping fit with bike rides around London.
SURVEYOR
Max Shutkever BA (Hons) MRICS
Max qualified as an Associate RICS professional in 2020 and gained member status in 2023. Before joining Sawyer Fielding, he worked for Carter Jonas, working in their Compulsory Purchase and Valuations teams on schemes such as HS2 and the Commonwealth Games. He worked Acquiring Authorities, buying properties on Compulsory Purchase terms. Max also gained experience in the Highways England Asset Management Team which saw him manage a residential and land portfolio.
Max is now gamekeeper turned poacher, representing homeowners affected by Compulsory Purchase on regeneration schemes throughout London.
Outside of work, Max enjoys cooking, spending time with his friends and family and taking his cherished Labrador, Woody, on long walks.
GRADUATE SURVEYOR
Alex Ainslie
Alex is a Graduate Surveyor, studying towards his APC which, once complete, will see him become a Chartered Surveyor.
He joined Sawyer Fielding as he recognises the worthwhile cause that drives us – helping to protect and serve homeowners affected by the threat of Compulsory Purchase. Alex supports senior colleagues in supporting homeowners.
Outside of work, Alex is a keen rugby player and also helps in running a RFU club. He also enjoys his evenings cooking (we’re still waiting for him to cook for us….).
JOINT OFFICE MANAGER
JESSICA PELLING
Jessica Moss is Sawyer Fielding’s Office Manager, with over 13 years of experience in administration. Since joining us in April 2017, Jessica has gained knowledge in Compulsory Purchase and aids the team in making appointments and keeping clients updated. Once sales are agreed, Jessica is the main point of contact for our clients. Jessica’s top notch organisation skills and friendly approach ensures the efficient running of our office.
Outside of work, Jessica loves spending time with her little boy and going on cruises as and when she can. She is keen on keeping fit having joined and left the gym five times. Her love of chocolate might be one reason she keeps leaving.
Surveyor
CHARLIE FARLEY MRICS
Charlie joined us in 2019 straight out of University having achieved a credible 2:1 in Geography. In September 2019, he began his Masters degree in Real Estate, supported by Sawyer Fielding and qualified as a Chartered Surveyor with us in 2022.
He joined us as a team member having previously undertaken some work experience with us. Unusually, the first time we met him, he interviewed our Director Dan Knowles. Charlie’s University dissertation was on the regeneration of the Aylesbury Estate in Southwark and he interviewed Dan for it. His interest in the plight of residents affected by Compulsory Purchase endeared him to us and now he is a few years into developing this specialism with us.
Joint Office Manager
Monique Bridgeman
Monique joined us in 2021, after working as an administrator for the previous 6 years in property management and hospitality.
During this time, she had the chance to work abroad for a luxury all-inclusive resort, where her interest in the property industry first developed. Utilising her administrative skills, she helps to maintain the high-quality service that Sawyer Fielding provides.
Outside of work, she enjoys visiting the cinema, travelling, swimming, and spending time with her friends and family. She also has a newfound love for taking long scenic walks.
Surveyor
STUART BOUGHEY MRICS
Stuart is one of our Chartered Surveyors. He has a passion for the built environment and an eye for detail.
He has undertaken a number of valuations and negotiations on behalf of our homeowner clients, affected by the threat of Compulsory Purchase.
Outside of work, Stuart enjoys socialising with his friends and family, whether that’s a trip to the theatre, dinner our or a spontaneous road trip.
Surveyor Support
Natalie Sharp
Natalie is our Surveyor Support. This vital role helps ensure that our Surveying team can provide an efficient and personable service to our clients. Unlike traditional support roles which are more administration focused, Natalie’s role uses the technical skills she has learnt both with us and on the Sava course which she is undertaking, on the road to becoming an RICS qualified Surveyor.
Outside of work, Natalie loves spending time with her family and friends on days out and trips away. Shopping, sports (watching not playing!) and dining out are also some of her favourite things to do.
Surveyor Support
Danny Lonergan
Danny Lonergan is a member of our Surveyor Support team. A key part of his role is supporting our clients through the sales process once agreement has been reached. He’ll deal with solicitors and can advise on a range of related issues such as process, estate agents, mortgage brokers and Capital Gains tax rollover relief. His background is in managing an Estate Agents before joining Sawyer Fielding and training to be a residential Surveyor himself, on the Sava course.
Outside of work Danny’s an avid golfer, having been playing since he was young. Beside being on the course, he enjoys keeping fit by running which subsidises his other enjoyment of watching sports and binging boxsets.
WHY WE ARE DIFFERENT
We Understand! We get it! We don’t just value and negotiate like many Chartered Surveyors will. We’re with our clients every step of the way. If you’re considering shared equity, we’ll get to know the scheme and negotiate how it works if possible. If you want to buy elsewhere, we’ll help you find somewhere. We’ll speak with solicitors and with mortgage brokers. If you need disability adjustments to your new home, we can help. If you are a Landlord, we’ll explain how to roll over your Capital Gains tax and how to evict your tenant without giving local solicitors thousands of pounds. We’re here from start to finish helping you with your sale, your purchase and guiding you through what may be a very legalistic and stressful process.
We do this because we understand that individual circumstances provide individual needs. We do this because we are professional and passionate about what we do.