Simon Havens is the new chair of property firm, GTH

Simon becomes chair at Somerset-based GTH after 30-year career

Paul JonesJanuary 22, 20250 Comment0

A CAREER path in property has seen Simon Havens progress from trainee to chair of a leading Somerset-based firm.

Mr Havens, partner and head of residential sales at Greenslade Taylor Hunt (GTH), has taken up the reins as chair of the company, which has offices across Somerset, Devon and Dorset.

It is the culmination of a career spanning more than three decades.

“I am immensely proud to have been made chair of this fantastic firm, which continues to go from strength to strength,” he said.

“GTH is widely recognised as one of the most prolific firms of property professionals in the West Country, offering a diverse and specialist range of services.”

Having started his career as a trainee negotiator with an independent firm in 1988, Mr Havens rising through the ranks with numerous competitors until joining GTH in 2000.

“I always wanted to work for GTH and was given a brilliant opportunity to run the firm’s office in the beautiful abbey town of Sherborne,” he said.

He went onto establish the firm’s branch in Wells and currently oversees the company’s residential network, made up of 17 offices.

He takes over from Richard Webber, one of the firm’s farm agency experts based in North Devon.

“I would like to thank Richard for his superb leadership and guidance over the past two years,” Mr Havens said.

“Richard has done an excellent job in leading the firm through often turbulent times and he will be a very tough act to follow.

“With the economy struggling, inflation and interest rates not as low as expected and the era of Trump 2.0, we are undoubtedly facing challenging times both domestically and internationally.

“However, in adversity there is always opportunity and the diversity that we are able to offer stands us in good stead to be able to weather any storm.

“My fellow partners and I believe we have one of the strongest teams the firm has ever seen and that we can look ahead to the coming years with confidence.

“Nevertheless, we must never become complacent and continue providing a first-class service to our clients.”

In his spare time, Mr Havens is a passionate sports fan, in particular of Bath Rugby, where he can be found at most home matches.

He is married, has a 12-year-old daughter and a mad Irish Doodle, ironically named, Noodle.