Meet the Team

Downer & Co was born out of a passion to do everything better, with professionalism, courtesy, honesty and efficiency at our core. These are the values at the heart of our business and by which we all work under Simon’s guidance.

Simon founded Downer & Co in 1988 following a successful career in London and Vancouver in residential and commercial property and new home development.

Simon shares 7 children and 11 grandchildren with his wife Bridget and of course Louis the Golden Retriever. His other loves include fly-fishing and shopping!

Richard has been with Downer & Co since 1999 and was promoted to Director in 2011. Richard has a wealth of experience selling every type of home you could imagine and has agreed countless sales in his time with us. Many of Richard’s vendors return having experienced first-hand his excellent negotiation skills. He takes his responsibility for selling your home for the best possible price very seriously.

Richard is a keen golfer and enjoys live music.

Leo joined Downer and Co in 2006 after working within the property sector in London and Melbourne. Appointed as a Director in 2016, Leo is a thoughtful and highly knowledgeable professional with a friendly personality. Leo’s ability to make vendors feel like they are the only clients in the world makes him popular and very effective.

Leo is married and lives in Newbury with his wife Emma and their dog. He enjoys cooking, but would rather eat out! Leo spends his spare time walking, travelling and outdoor pursuits.

Stuart joined us in 2008 from an insurance background where he worked for 15 years, perfecting his exceptional people skills. Stuart is fiercely determined and his passion and dedication have benefitted hundreds of our vendors over the years. Stuart keeps us all entertained with his quick wit and enjoys competitive sports in his spare time

Fraser is our office hero, with nothing he doesn’t know or indeed remember. Starting his career in estate agency in 2001, Fraser joined Downer & Co in 2006, he oversees the office’s day-to-day running, the support staff, after-sales progression and marketing. He does this with great attention to detail and makes the office a fun place for us all to be. When Fraser isn’t being fabulous, he loves gardening and is partial to a good vintage.

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Having joined us in 2015 after 10 years with another agency, Imogen is a fundamental part of the sales support team and second in command when Fraser is out of the office. Imogen is responsible for viewings feedback, management of our vast database of applicants and GDPR policy. Imogen also provides post valuation support to our negotiators and is our First Aid and Fire Marshal. She does all this with a smile, whilst remaining calm and focused and truly is a multi-tasking master. When Imogen isn’t looking after the team, she enjoys caravanning with her husband and lovely Chihuahua.

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Jenny has worked with Downer & Co as part of the sales team since 2001 and is mainly responsible for coordinating viewings, booking valuations and surveys and general reception duties.

Before joining Downer & Co, Jenny worked in London in the fashion and photographic industry. Jenny loves her garden, reading, foreign travel and canal boat holidaying in the UK with friends.

Nicky joined us in 2018 after buying her home through Downer & Co. Nicky brought with her a wealth of experience in customer service, having worked at Heathrow dealing with celebrities and Royalty, so you are certainly in good hands!

Nicky loves ballroom dancing and looks forward to watching Strictly with Milo, her Miniature Schnauzer by her side and reminiscing about the good old days!

Rolanda was out lettings property manager in the late 90's and has returned to the Downer family helping with viewings and sales progression.

Rolanda has always had a keen interest in property and enjoys her home and garden along with spending time with family, friends and her four grandchildren.

As a viewings specialist since 2010, Chris has mastered the art of putting our viewers at total ease whilst showing properties in their best light. Chris believes he has the best job in Downer & Co, enthusiastically showing viewers around our properties and sharing in their excitement at finding the perfect new home.

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Ros is responsible for all the typing of correspondence for the Sales office. She works with great skill, speed and accuracy, enabling our Sales team to focus on negotiation and progression. Ros has had some incredible achievements, including cycling across Romania and up to the Arctic Circle.

Sally has been with us for 16 years, making appointments for viewings and valuations and is known for her careful attention to detail and friendly disposition. Sally’s first job on leaving school was in an estate agency, where her passion for property began.

Sally enjoys nothing more than escaping away with her husband and their dog or socialising with family and friends.

Lee has been with Downer & Co for 18 years and manages the lettings team. Lee has extensive knowledge and experience in the lettings industry and associated law. Being a landlord himself gives him a greater understanding of some of the challenges our clients face. Outside the office, Lee is kept busy with his young family. If he’s had a particularly taxing day, there’s nothing Lee enjoys more than going home to Whiskey and Guinness... his family’s cats. 

In a previous life, Sue spent 25 years as a cartographer. Sue supports the lettings team organising and carrying out viewings. Sue’s engaging and friendly nature makes her effective at showing your property. When Sue isn’t busy charming tenants, she enjoys spending time with her grandchildren and taking her granddog for long walks

 Rosemary joined Downer & Co in 2007 and has been an integral part of the team ever since. Heading up the property management team, her extensive experience and knowledge is invaluable to our landlords, tenants and contractors who all know she goes the extra mile.

Rosemary has an eye for interior design and fashion, having previously had her own successful interior design company in London.

Jennifer joined Downer & Co in 2017 and works alongside Rosemary in the busy property management department. With a logical approach, Jenny manages to organise and negotiate her way through maintenance issues with ease, always reaching a satisfactory outcome for landlords and tenants. Outside the office, Jennifer likes to spend time with her young family.

Lauren joins us from the hospitality sector. With a can do attitude and a love for helping people, Lauren always has a smile on her face. Lauren loves animals and enjoys sports and travelling.

Lili works on the administrative side, arranging property management visits, report writing and issuing certificates. When Lili isn’t busy keeping us all organised, she enjoys property renovation and has recently embarked on her 3rd property renovation project.

Sian started with us 5 years ago in viewings and has since progressed to Letting’s client accountant, handling all incoming/outgoing client funds. Sian has an excellent eye for detail and will overcome any hurdle put in her way. Sian uses that same determination outside the office with her love of fitness.

Sarah worked in various administrative and customer services roles before joining Downer & Co, giving her a well-rounded view of how to help both clients and colleagues. Friendly and approachable, Sarah provides efficient support to our negotiators. As a busy mum of two and a talented baker, Sarah regularly treats the staff to her culinary creations.

As an experienced negotiator and marketeer, Claire brings our ideas to life, enabling us to work on our in-house marketing and crucially ensuring marketing materials for our vendors are cutting edge.

Claire has a young family and enjoys property renovation and walking with her three dogs in her spare time.

Always smiley and friendly, Andy takes great pride in ensuring that the Downer boards are in top condition and stand straight. He’ll return before you know it to amend the sign from ‘For Sale’ to ‘Sold’ or ‘To Let’ to ‘Let’. In his spare time, Andy is a keen family man who is kept busy by his children and grandchildren.

As a qualified Chartered Accountant with over 20 years experience, Jo’s ability to maintain efficient detail and brilliant accounting for Downer & Co is highly regarded. Jo lives with her energetic family and in her spare time acts as Treasurer to AFC Newbury and enjoys various creative outlets such as painting, upcycling and crocheting.

After a difficult start in life, Maude has landed on her feet and is very much pampered and adored. She loves walks and a game of fetch, occasionally hiding an odd slipper to keep the humans on their toes. Maude adores tummy rubs and will do tricks for treats. Dislikes baths!