Brethertons & Friends

Mark is a Partner at Brethertons working closely with clients and stakeholders alike to completely understand and support them in achieving their strategic goals.

With many years’ experience in property related fields Mark began his working life in estate agency in 1991 before moving into lettings. In 2005 Mark joined Brethertons, rising to Partner level in 2016. He focused on the leasehold sector, connecting clients with much needed legal support. Mark spent five years working for a national managing agent gaining essential experience on the front line before returning to his role at Brethertons in 2023. Mark is considered to be an all round property professional.

Emily Gray has been involved in residential block management since moving to Bournemouth in 2007.  Alongside her role as Operations Director, she is a Fellow and Director of The Property Institute, an Associate of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, an Honorary Consultant for the Federation of Private Residents Associations and a Member of the Institute of Leadership. 

Overseeing the processes, procedures and strategic development for her business, Emily is passionate about delivering great service to clients, as well as a great place to work for the team. 

Outside of work Emily is kept busy with her family commitments, but also enjoys some downtime with a good book, playing music and, recently, crocheting.

Annie brings a blend of frontline experience and strategic insight she spent over 12 years working directly in leasehold before moving into recruitment, where she now supports PMR Clients on their staffing and recruitment strategies.

Having previously owned a block management business, Annie understands first-hand the challenges leaders face when it comes to recruitment, training and retention. She was Highly Commended at the 2024 TPI Honorary Industry Award for her contributions to the sector – including mentoring professionals through the MRICS pathway, work with the TPI leasehold working group and providing training courses for the sector.

Emma is a Client Director at Thomas Carroll Insurance Brokers where she leads the insurance and risk management proposition for Residential Block and Estate Managers.  

Emma has worked closely with the residential property industry for almost 20 years, as both an insurance and risk management adviser and as a director of property data and technology businesses.  

Driven by a passion for collaboration and knowledge sharing, Emma founded the award-winning Women in Residential Property network. She has also contributed her expertise to several industry working groups and is a regular speaker and writer for leading property conferences and publications.

Justin Bates is a barrister and KC at Landmark Chambers. He specialises in housing law and was part of the Law Commission team which prepared the RTM reform paper. He has appeared in over 150 reported / significant cases in the Upper Tribunal, High Court, Court of Appeal and Supreme Court. This year he will make his 10^th appearance in the Supreme Court in the Cresta Court RTM case.

Andrew is a Fellow of The Property Institute, the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, and ARLA Propertymark. He began his residential PRS and leasehold management practice in 1995, later serving as UK Residential Director at RICS from 2013 to 2016. He then became CEO of the Institute of Residential Property Management (IRPM), the UK’s leading body for residential property management professionals. Andrew led IRPM’s 2022 merger with the Association of Residential Managing Agents (ARMA), becoming CEO of The Property Institute, the professional body formed from the merger. 

The Property Institute is the UK’s leading professional body for residential leasehold, Scottish freehold, and build‑to‑rent PRS property management. It provides OFQUAL‑accredited qualifications and training for over 7,000 professionals and accredits 350 estate management firms. Andrew is committed to raising standards across the sector and championing property professionals as a progressive, ethical force for good.

Jill Douglas MBE is a respected and experienced sports broadcaster and journalist who regularly appears on ITV and BBC in their coverage of major global sporting events.

Jill is best known for her work in rugby and cycling and began her career as a print news journalist in the Scottish Borders before moving into television. 

She became the UK’s first female rugby presenter when she fronted Rugby Special. Jill has covered a variety of major events including six Olympic Games, six Commonwealth Games, five Rugby World Cups, Lions Tours and every Six Nations Championship.

In addition, Jill is a regular host and facilitator and works with Gallagher Insurance brokers where she is involved in business development, marketing and communications and supporting the partnerships team.

Jill was born in Hawick and grew up in the Borders and loves her horse racing and rugby and is a lifelong Hawick RFC supporter and serves as President of Cheltenham Tigers RFC.

A close friend of the Weir family, Jill was instrumental is the creation and success of the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation and its now Patron of the motor neuron disease charity.

She lives in Cheltenham with her husband Carl Hogg and their two children where she is able to indulge her love of rugby at Kingsholm and her appreciation of horse racing at the famous Prestbury course.