Meet the team

All the Land Agents at Carver Knowles have a high level of professionalism and knowledge to ensure that you have the right expert for the project, be it a planning application for a new farm building or a succession planning strategy.

We are proud to be NFU Panel Agents for the South West and West Midlands, which means that we are recommended by the NFU to their members. NFU members are also entitled to a discount on our services. We are also qualified Chartered Surveyors and Registered Valuers, governed by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), so you can rest assured you will receive a high level of service delivered by experienced professionals. All our Land Agents are also qualified Fellows of the Central Association of Agricultural Valuers (CAAV), who abide by strict practice rules and are professionally insured. Oh, and we use direct lines, so you can speak to whoever you want to, when you want to – or we are only a click away.

Andrew Troughton BSc (Hons) MRICS FAAV
Managing Director and RICS Registered Valuer

Specialist in: Property Development, Landlord and Tenant, AMC Agent and Valuer, Expert Witness, Renewables Andrew took over the land agency side of Carver Knowles in 2012 and has since built up the business, expanding its client base and bringing new specialists to the team in order to offer a full-service agency. A farmer’s son, after graduating with a degree in Rural Estate Management from Harper Adams University, Andrew started off his career with the Estates team at Gloucestershire County Council, before moving to Carver Knowles at Strensham in 1998. Outside of work, Andrew runs his own 233 hectare sheep and arable farm in the Cotswolds. He is also partial to a glass of red wine.

Mike Cluley BSc (Hons) MSc MRICS FAAV
Director and RICS Registered Valuer

Specialist in: Agri-Environment Schemes, Agri-Business Advice, Grant Schemes, Compensation, Land Sales, Valuations, Landlord and Tenant, Basic Payments Scheme and NVZ’s Mike joined Carver Knowles in 2013 and became Associate Director soon after. With a background in farm consultancy, auctioneering and land agency in Gloucestershire, Mike is an expert in agri-business advice. Mike prides himself on his extensive practical farming experience. He spent three years working in New Zealand on large dairy herds and has also done his fair share of arable work in the UK. Mike trained at Seale Hayne Agricultural College in Devon and completed his Masters degree in Rural Estate Management at the Royal Agricultural College. Mike lives on the Gloucestershire/Herefordshire border with his wife and three young boys and in his spare time enjoys following Gloucester Rugby, preferably (but not often enough) in the Shed.

Ellen Freeman BSc (Hons) MRICS FAAV
Rural Chartered Surveyor and RICS Registered Valuer

Ellen joined Carver Knowles in 2016 for her placement year before returning on a full time basis in 2018 after completing her degree in Rural Enterprise and Land Management at Harper Adams University. She became fully qualified with both the RICS and CAAV in 2019 and now undertakes a variety of professional work, in particular planning consultancy and grant applications, for our clients. Ellen comes from a dairy farming background in Somerset. Outside of work Ellen enjoys spending time with her two dogs and helping with her husbands flock of sheep. 

Josh Balsdon BSc (Hons) MRICS FAAV Rural
Rural Chartered Surveyor and RICS Registered Valuer

Josh joins Carver Knowles having previously worked for 3 years in a General Practice in North Worcestershire/South Shropshire. Josh graduated from Harper Adams University in 2018, before going onto successfully pass both his RICS and CAAV exams in 2020. Josh is able to assist in a wide range of work, including; compensation, estate management and tenancies, agricultural grant schemes including Basic Payment and Countryside Stewardship and rural property sales . Outside of work, Josh is a keen sportsman and can often be found watching or participating in a variety of sports.

Alex Stafford-Clark BSc (Hons)
Assistant Surveyor

Alex joined Carver Knowles in September 2022 having relocated to Worcestershire from Hampshire. Alex completed a Masters in Rural Land and Business Management at Reading University before taking time out of work to raise her children and travel. She is now working towards her RICS and CAAV qualification while supporting the Carver Knowles professional team across all aspects of work.

Sam Carter BSc (Hons) MSc MRICS
Rural Chartered Surveyor and RICS Registered Valuer

Sam joined us in November 2023 on a part-time basis having previously worked for a large national firm. Sam graduated with a Masters in Real Estate from the Royal Agricultural University in 2015 before successfully passing her RICS exams in 2018. Sam is specialising in planning and development, valuation, grants and rural property sales. Living on a Gloucestershire farm with her husband and two young children, Sam has plenty of agricultural experience. With a keen interest in all things equestrian, when not in the office Sam enjoys training and competing her horses. Sam’s working days are a Monday, Wednesday and Thursday.

Matilde Spyvee MSc (Hons)
Graduate Surveyor

Matilde joined us in October 2023 as a Graduate Surveyor. Matilde comes from a farming background in South Gloucestershire and studied Chemistry as an Undergraduate Degree before completing her Masters in Rural Land Management at the Royal Agricultural University earlier this year. Matilde will be working with our team across all areas of work whilst also pursuing her RICS and CAAV accreditations.