Lake Windermere

Meet The Team

Andrew Kneale

Andrew Kneale

Managing Director

Andrew has over 36 years local estate agency experience. After starting in 1986 with a local family firm, he then set up a successful Solicitors and estate agency practice in 1989 and continued its development and supervision for 17 years. In 2006 Andrew joined Matthews Benjamin Ltd, setting up and developing the Fine & Country brand and has overseen it’s continued growth throughout North Lancashire and The Lake District ever since.

Matt Dixon

Matt Dixon

Director

Local to Ambleside Matt joined the company in 2002 and subsequently obtained a Masters degree in Commercial Property Management from John Moore’s University. With strong local knowledge and a member of the NAEA, Matt manages our highly rated Ambleside office and was made a Director of the company in 2006.

Jo Bond

Jo Bond

Director

Born and brought up locally, Jo specialises in the valuation, marketing and sale of prime rural property in the Lune Valley, North Yorkshire and South Cumbria. Working locally since 1991 and moving to Fine & Country in 2022 Jo is based at our Lancaster office and is a member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.

Jack Irwin

Jack Irwin

Director

Local to the area, Jack joined the company in 2007 obtaining a degree in Property Management & Investment along the way and later becoming a member of the NAEA. With a wealth of local knowledge and valuation experience Jack manages our Windermere Office, valuing property and negotiating successful deals across the Lake District National Park with both Fine & Country and Matthews Benjamin.

Adam Anderton

Adam Anderton

Lettings Director

Adam joined us as a Director in February 2018 with the sole purpose of setting up our lettings company. Adam comes with a wealth of experience and knowledge specialising in Residential Lettings & Property Management. As a registered member of ARLA Property Mark, Adam is fully qualified to assist and advise in any matters relating to Residential Lettings and Management.

Janet Clark

Janet Clark

Property Consultant

A long time resident of Ambleside Janet has been with Matthews Benjamin since 2004 and has built many strong client relationships, dealing directly with countless successful negotiations and day to day running of our busy office. Janet’s daily enthusiasm and positive approach to her role is well appreciated by both the company and clients alike.

Andrea Johnson

Andrea Johnson

Property Consultant

With the business since 2007, Andrea has been a vital part of the expansion into Lancaster with both Fine & Country and Matthews Benjamin. Andrea is also a fully qualified member of the National Association of Estate Agents having completed the extensive course in 2018 and is our leading Sales Negotiator for properties in the upper quartile of the market in the North Lancashire region.

David Carter

David Carter

Property Consultant

David boasts over 30 years experience in the local property market, starting in the industry in 1984 and quickly established himself as a well known figure in the property community. David joined the Matthews Benjamin and Fine & Country team in 2016, bringing with him his wealth of experience in residential valuation, new build projects, development opportunities and skills in negotiation of all price ranges.

Nicola Clark

Nicola Clark

Property Consultant

Very familiar to the local area having lived in Windermere for over 14 years, Nicola has a wealth of varied experience having owned and run her own guest house and more recently worked as a duty manager at Booths. Nicola has excellent customer care skills and is always happy and to go the extra mile. She has proved herself as a successful sales negotiator, dealing with all price ranges.

Sophie Walker

Sophie Walker

Property Consultant

Sophie has been with the company since 2012 and has been an integral part of our client relations and property consulting in The Lake District during this time. Sophie now takes on an exciting new role due to her natural social and charismatic personality. Based from our Lancaster office she will be focusing on the marketing aspect of both the company and properties.

Emerson Smith

Emerson Smith

Property Consultant

Joined the team in Summer 2022, with a wealth of experience in the retail and customer service sector, previously specializing in the Automotive Industry from volume manufacturers to prestige brands, Emerson brings a fresh approach to the office. Local to the area all his life, and fully qualified in the Hospitality and Catering Industry, one thing is certain, he believes the client is at the heart of everything in business. Outside of work, Emerson has a passion for the outdoors, Football, Golf and Motorsports.

Tegan Winder

Tegan Winder

Administrator

Since 2009 Tegan has seamlessly covered the administration and extensive marketing operation at Lancaster Office ensuring the smooth running of the business using her knowledge of the area and experience in estate agency. Tegan handles with all new properties from instruction through to brochure production, advertising schedules and sales.

Lauren Edmondson-Fletcher

Lauren Edmondson-Fletcher

Administrator

A seasoned professional in the property industry, Lauren joined the profession straight out of school. Lauren brings to the team a refined set of administrational skills and knowledge of the local area and housing market. Her positive and friendly attitude is a breath of fresh air and her attention to detail and years of experience within the industry makes her a valuable member of the team.

Jenna Irwin

Jenna Irwin

Administrator

Jenna joined the Matthews Benjamin team at Ambleside in 2017 and has since established herself as an integral part of the company. Her natural efficiency and great organisation of the office fits well within the administrative role. Dealing with client relations on a daily basis, Jenna’s friendly approach is always noted by clients.

Ruth Johnstone

Ruth Johnstone

Lettings Administrator

Ruth started in Estate Agency from High School at the age of 16 and worked within Estate Agency for 15 years. Moving on to work in School Finance for a further 10 years. She returned back  to Residential lettings 6 years ago working within a busy agency in Morecambe. Ruth comes to us with a wealth of experience in all aspects of Estate Agency in particular the Lettings side. She enjoys the outdoor life and loves to walk the Lakeland Fells with her trusty dog Millie.

Amelia Joy

Amelia Joy

Administrator

Amelia joined Matthews Benjamin at our busy Ambleside office in 2022. Originally born in Holland, Amelia spent her school years in The Lake District and the majority of her adult life living abroad. Now back in the local area, Amelia heads the administration for one of our busiest offices and her friendly and energetic attitude fits in perfectly with the team here.

Katie Griffiths

Katie Griffiths

Administrator

Born in Barrow, Katie is local to the area however started her estate agency career in Australia where she achieved her qualifications and benefitted from working along side one of Australia’s top 10 agents. Having now moved back to the local area, Katie is continuing her career in the UK and is hoping to follow in the footsteps of her former mentor by honing her skills at our busy Windermere office within administration and sales progression.

Rhianna Spindley

Rhianna Spindley

Administrator

Rhianna started with us in 2023 after completing her Teacher and Learning support degree. Bringing her knowledge and enthusiasm to the Lancaster team, Rhianna is putting into practice her organisation and communication skills, delivering this to a professional standard to all of our clients.

Jess Turner

Jess Turner

Administrator

Jess grew up in Windermere and has recently returned to the area, after graduating from University with a First Class Degree in International Business Management and Spanish, to begin her journey with the company. Having employed skills in digital marketing within the real estate sector during her placement year in Barcelona, she is excited to expand her skills working within our dynamic Lake District team.