Executive Team
At Bruton Knowles, our Executive Management Team (EMT) plays a pivotal role in driving the business forward. By focusing on strategic implementation and resource optimisation, the EMT ensures the continued success and growth of our firm as one of the UK’s leading Chartered Surveyors.
Leadership with Vision
Under the guidance of our Managing Partner, the EMT provides strong leadership, expert support, and strategic direction. This cohesive team is dedicated to upholding Bruton Knowles’ reputation for excellence, delivering value to clients, and steering the business toward a future of sustained success.
Building on Success
Collaboration is at the heart of what we do. By working together toward a shared vision, the EMT empowers Bruton Knowles to excel as a responsible business built on integrity, resilience, and innovation. Their commitment ensures we remain agile and responsive in an ever-evolving marketplace.
Sustainability and Responsibility
The EMT is deeply committed to embedding sustainability and corporate social responsibility into everything we do. From shaping our day-to-day operations to enriching the communities in which we work, we strive to leave a positive and lasting impact.
At Bruton Knowles, our Executive Management Team doesn’t just manage the business – they shape its future with expertise, integrity, and a dedication to excellence.
National Team
Our National Team has key experts located throughout England, Wales and Scotland.
James Bailey
Managing Partner BSc (Hons) FRICS
James joined Bruton Knowles in January 1999, and as Managing Partner oversees the strategic and operational objectives of the company, whilst managing key client contracts across the commercial, public sector and utilities industries, and reporting directly to the shareholder group.
Based from the Nottingham hub, James works closely with senior management to deliver strong performance, high professional standards and sustained growth. He played an instrumental role in the restructuring of Bruton Knowles over the last four years and the development of its National Teams which offer clients a single point of contact for the delivery of an entire project to the highest possible standards.
Hilary Evans
Finance Director
Hilary joined Bruton Knowles in 2025 with extensive experience in finance leadership, strategic investment planning, and SME business management. She became an integral part of the Executive Management Team, contributing to long-term decision-making and organisational efficiency.
Prior to joining Bruton Knowles, Hilary held a senior position at the National Trust, overseeing treasury operations and leading the creation of a 10-year strategic investment plan alongside the Land and Estates teams. Her professional background also includes tenure as a Director at Hazlewoods, a top 30 accountancy firm, and earlier in her career, she founded a luxury kitchen design and installation business, providing her with firsthand experience in commercial management and customer-facing service delivery.
Neil Young
HR Director BA (Hons) MA FCIPD
Neil joined Bruton Knowles in 2015 and oversees all aspects of strategic and operational people management. He takes overall responsibility for talent attraction, engagement and culture, learning and development, remuneration and benefits, performance and organisation development. Neil also played a key role in the implementation of Bruton Knowles’ successful #WorkYourWay flexible working system, enabling team members to successfully balance home and work life.
In his time at Bruton Knowles, Neil has championed the firm’s ‘grow your own’ talent approach to apprenticeships, bolstering its programme to include a range of opportunities throughout different levels of the business, enabling more people to get a foot in the door of surveying. He also fed into the initial creation of the degree-level chartered surveying apprenticeship which was introduced in England in 2015.
Paul Martin
IT Director
Based from the Gloucester hub, Paul is responsible for enhancing performance through system and process efficiency, this includes managing a number of IT projects as well as external service and product providers. He joined the Bruton Knowles team in 2021 and has since been the driving force behind the firm’s forward-thinking approach toward leveraging technology to support its team, enhance efficiency, and continue to deliver bespoke services to clients.
Paul has spearheaded the significant investment in key digital infrastructure projects, including the use of AI technology in property valuation and the creation of a bespoke application designed for the management of U&I projects. The adoption of such technologies marks a transformative period for Bruton Knowles, setting the stage for continued growth beyond its current hubs across the UK.
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