Meet the Team
James, along with his team of fully invested and passionate property professionals, aspire to ensure every move is supported from start to finish through the journey to your next home. Beyond the business of property, Wills & Smerdon has been the cornerstone of the community in Horsley since 1933 engaging with and supporting schools and many local organisations. From charity bike rides, Garden Safaris through to school fairs and amateur dramatics, there is always something fun to get involved in.
James Harper
Director
Bio
James’s role in the long history of Wills & Smerdon began in 2002 when he purchased the business, bringing with him over 30 years of experience of selling houses. James is a proud member of ARLA/Propertymark and a Fellow of the NAEA and is currently studying for his Level 4 exams in both sales and lettings. Outside of work James loves nothing more than to throw on some lycra and getting out on his roadbike, regularly competing in races all over the country. James has no excuse for ever getting lost as he had qualifications in both Navigation and Seamanship.
Sara Grey
Lettings Manager
Bio
Sara joined Wills & Smerdon in 2013 and is our Head of Lettings. Sara has been in the property industry for over thirty years and her background includes buying and selling houses for corporate companies, finding homes for international clients relocating to the UK, selling new homes and letting properties throughout Surrey. Sara became a member of Arla/propertymark in 2006 and has now obtained her Level 3 Qualification in Residential Letting and Property Management. Sara loves the variety of working in lettings and we are fortunate to let and manage all types of properties from town centre modern apartments to semi-rural character family homes and everything in between. Sara can advise on all aspects of lettings and is always happy to help. In her spare time, Sara loves to travel and is happiest on a sunny beach reading a page-turning thriller on her kindle.
Grant Lonnon
Sales Manager
Bio
Grant is our Head of Sales and joined Wills & Smerdon in 2017 having worked in estate agency for 20 years managing offices in South West London and Surrey. Grant has a passion for ensuring the highest customer expectations are met and has the most glowing testimonials from satisfied clients. Outside of work mainly revolves around his family and three young children and, when time permits, he enjoys a game of tennis. Grant is a real foodie and his favourite restaurant is Sorrel in Dorking.
Shirley Moralee
Property Manager
Bio
Shirley is our Property Manager and joined Wills & Smerdon in 2020 bringing with her a wealth of experience and sense of humour. Shirley is married to a builder and has a background in property development, a passion for interior design and a keen eye for detail. Shirley’s customer care skills are second to none and she is the main point of contact between our landlords and tenants , seamlessly managing the letting process to make it as stress free as possible. Life outside Wills and Smerdon involves Shirley’s four grown up children and her adorable Pug Winnie, who is a regular visitor the office and an honorary member of the Lettings Team.
Carolyn Foster
Sales Negotiator
Bio
Carolyn joined Goodrich Meech in Ripley back in 2001 and was brought into the Wills & Smerdon family when James acquired the business in Ripley a few years later. Carolyn is a negotiator in the sales team, having previously worked in the lettings department, and has successfully completed her Level 3 qualification in Residential Sales, passing with flying colours. Carolyn enjoys meeting and helping people find their new homes and is an expert in matching buyers to properties. In her spare
time, Carolyn can be seen around Ripley village walking her two dogs and drinking coffee in Pinnocks café in Ripley High Street.
Chloe Rapley-White
Sales Negotiator
Bio
Chloe joined as a Trainee negotiator in our sales team back in 2021. Chloe is a familiar face in East Horsley having worked at the local gift shop in Station Parade and is a fully qualified make up artist and beauty therapist. Being new to estate agency there is a lot to learn and Chloe is enjoying the variety of the role with no two days being the same. Chloe has a brilliant creative side and is helping with our social media content as well as designing marketing literature and brochures. Outside of work, Chloe is a keen artist with pet portraits being her speciality.
Courtney Haughton
Office Administrator/Property Manager
Bio
Courtney is our newest member of staff and joins us from a property background working in property management in Surbiton. Courtney has already started studying for her lettings exams and makes a great addition to our lettings team in Horsley. When not helping our landlords and tenants with property maintenance and repairs, Courtney is a keen gym member, enjoys cooking and watching medical dramas.