Meet our team

Ben Waites

Director

I'm Ben, the Director at WS Residential and have worked in the property industry since leaving full-time education. I now have over 25 years of experience within the local property market which I use to help our clients find the perfect home and realise the maximum value from their house sale. I became director of WS Residential in 2015 and since then I have focused on continuing to promote the expertise we have across the business in the sale of family homes.

Excellent customer service has always been of huge importance to me, and this has guided me in creating a residential team with a wealth of knowledge, rarely seen within the estate agency industry.

In my spare time I enjoy reading, playing the occasional round of golf, gardening, and family days out with my wife, two girls and Belle our cockapoo.

Claudia Turner

Property Manager

Hi, I'm Claudia and I am part of the residential lettings team. I joined WS Residential in 2021 with no sense of what career path I wanted to take, but found a passion for the property market and I haven’t looked back since. My job role as a property manager involves putting a property on the market and following it all the way through to supporting a tenant once they’ve moved in. What I like about my job is no two days are the same, we could be doing anything from marketing, viewings, inspections or just catching up on emails.

I have a very busy life but when I'm not at work. I like to spend time with family and friends, travel as much as I can, and walk my two furry friends Brian and Maggie.

Jacqui Goodall

Residential Land and New Homes

I'm Jacqui, my role is to assist you in the sale of land and new homes. I have been an estate agent for over 40 years and sold my first new homes site when I was just 25 years old. I still feel the same excitement today as I did then. I find it incredibly rewarding to see the site come to life and help buyers achieve their dream purchase, there is just something about a brand new home that evokes hope and fresh starts.

When I'm not working, I enjoy walking and keeping fit. I sometimes sing in a rock choir and love spending time with my family and grandchildren.

Lisa Frost

Residential Sales Manager

I am the residential team office manager based at our Halifax office. I joined WS Residential in 2014 and have over 25 years of experience in the estate agency industry together with masses of enthusiasm and sales knowledge. My role is overseeing the residential team. I help them build a strong relationship with sellers and buyers. Organisational skills and providing excellent customer service are my main strengths. I really enjoy supporting my team so they can provide our clients with the peace of mind that they have chosen the right estate agent.

In my spare time, I love reading, catching up on a good movie, spending time with my family and friends and going for long walks with my two dogs Alfie and Annie.

Rachel Benn

Residential Trainee

Hi, I'm Rachel and as a residential trainee I'm excited to be developing my career in estate agency with the team at WS Residential.

In my role I provide general support around the office and I am always delighted to help both sellers and buyers with any questions or enquiries that they have. My strengths are maintaining a positive mindset and a consistent work ethic as I strive to create a positive experience for our clients.

In my spare time I love spending time with loved ones, travelling the world, country walks with my Scottie, Millie, and I ultimately live to eat.

Samantha Weatherill

Senior Property Manager

I'm Sam and I'm the senior property manager within our lettings team based at our Halifax office. I joined the team in 2019 after working in the financial industry for over 13 years. I have a background in communications and account management which has helped me in my current role which involves managing a portfolio of properties, overseeing compliance as well as being on hand to support junior members of the team. My strengths are my organisation skills, a strong work ethic and great customer service ensuring that both client and customers’ needs are being met.

In my spare time, I enjoy eating out with friends and family and travelling far and wide.

Shona Hardacre

Residential Sales Valuer/Negotiator

Hi, I'm Shona, residential sales negotiator and have spent the past 20 years of my career in property. Initially I focused on commercial property, then in 2014 I decided my heart lay in residential property. I joined the team, initially working for Charnock Bates, then more recently I moved to the WS Residential team where I now work. I am a Member of The Guild of Property Professionals and I’m also currently working towards my level 4 Award in Sale of Residential Property.

I have 2 boys which keep me busy. We love days out visiting castles, local parks and visitor attractions. I'm a real comic book geek and love all things Marvel. I am also an avid reader, Terry Pratchett is my favourite author.

Michael Hirst

Residential Valuer

Hi, I'm Michael and I have been an estate agent for approximately 40 years working in the Brighouse and Halifax areas. I have worked in both sales and lettings and have experience with all types of properties. Having previously run Daniel and Hirst for almost 30 years I am excited to now be a part of WS Residential working out the new Brighouse office.

Outside of work I love a round of golf or heading for the Yorkshire Dales on my beloved Ducati.

Daniel Field

Residential Valuer

Hi, I'm Dan and I am part of the residential sales team. I joined WS Residential in 2023 coming from a previous valuing role where I found my love for all things property. I have a real passion and enthusiasm for finding people their dream home and love nothing more than the excitement on people's faces as I'm handing over the keys to their new home on completion. I am very family orientated, in my spare time you’ll find me spending time with my partner and son Koby as well as extended family.

Robert Brown

Residential Property Manager

Hi, I'm Robert. I joined WS Residential in 2020 after a number of years in retail. At the time I was ready for a new challenge and looking for an environment in which to develop my skills. I love the variety that comes with working in this industry and am always kept busy helping clients find their dream property.

Outside of work, I enjoy watching and playing football and spending time with my two young children.

Chris Wetton

Accompanied Viewer/Property Inspector

Hi, I'm Chris, you're likely to meet me if you arrange a viewing of one of our properties. I also work as a property inspector. I love people, so this is a great role for me. Punctuality, professionalism and a friendly manner really help too.

I have worked in estate agency for many years (even before we all had mobile phones!) and have been a valuer and manager in numerous towns across West Yorkshire, so I feel I have extensive knowledge of residential property matters.

I am a big sports fan, particularly of Rugby Union. I used to play for the Old Brods in Hipperholme. I also enjoy quizzes, cryptic crosswords, Sudoku and music from rock to classical.

Dawn Prest

Sales Negotiator

Hi I'm Dawn. My job is to support you through the selling and buying process, making it as smooth as possible. I spend my working days speaking to vendors and purchasers. I manage the whole process from listing your property on the market, through to booking viewings and completion.

I really enjoy speaking to my customers, whether it be face-to-face or on the phone. I have over 30 years of experience in the estate agency world, so know a thing or two about selling and buying homes in the area.

When I am not at work, I love spending time with my children and grandchildren. My son lives in Scotland so I go and visit him and his family as often as I can. I also enjoy socialising with friends and walks in the countryside with my hubby.

Christine Smith

Property Manager

Hi, I'm Christine, WS Residential's Property Manager. I work with our tenants and landlords on the rental property side of the business. My role is varied and involves marketing our rental properties, finding new tenants and looking after the tenancy throughout the rental period.

Before joining the WS Residential team I worked in an estate agency dealing with lettings applications and negotiating sales. I have also worked in various legal departments including conveyancing.

When I am not at work, I enjoy trips to the East Coast, reading, watching Netflix and spending time with my family and friends.

Jane Ciric

Lettings Accompanied Viewer / Property Inspector

Hi I'm Jane. I am a member of the residential lettings team. I work as a property inspector and accompanied viewer.

I spend most of my time out of the office, meeting tenants and inspecting properties. I have been doing this job, in one guise or another, for the past 20 years, as I really enjoy it.

I love spending time with my family and friends. I also like cooking, gardening, and taking all kinds of holidays from boating on the Norfolk broads to lodges in The Dales.

Helen Donaldson

Sales Negotiator

Hi I'm Helen. I work as a sales negotiator; this involves arranging valuations, viewings and helping with the negotiation process when an offer is made. I then stay in touch with my customers throughout the sales process right through to final completion. I love meeting clients who call into the office, helping to make their house moving process as stress free and smooth as possible.

I have worked for several other estate agents before joining WS Residential and before that I was a support assistant in a school.

In my free time I love to spend time with my four grandchildren. I bake, read and enjoy trips out with my friends. My drink of choice is always a tonic water on ice in a wine glass!

Lynn Conway

Accompanied Viewer / Assistant Sales Negotiator

Hi, I'm Lynn. I joined WS Residential in 2024 as a part-time accompanied viewer and negotiator. I love the variety of my role. I enjoy meeting clients face-to-face and getting out and about whilst I show some lovely properties. When I’m working in the office I deal with the incoming sales enquiries, book viewings, and generally help make sure that our customers receive the level of service they expect and deserve.

In my previous life, I worked for many years in the communications industry as an Account Manager for BT. After having my family, I trained to be an Iyengar Yoga teacher and spent 10 years running my own studio.

In my spare time, I still practice yoga, like to keep fit by lifting weights and walking. I love to travel, and my dream would be to eventually up sticks and move to a house overlooking the sea, somewhere warm like Greece or Italy.

Melissa Powell

Residential Accounts Manager

Hi, I'm Melissa. I began working with Walker Singleton over a decade ago starting with the business on a temporary contract covering a gap in the accounts team, in time it became a permanent position and I have never looked back. Having worked in several accounts roles within the wider Walker Singleton group I have expanded my knowledge in the sector and met a number of great colleagues along the way.

When the WS Residential brand was born in 2022 I took the position of Residential Accounts Manager. I have a varied role which covers everything from ensuring client funds are accounted for in a timely manner, rents are paid on time and I deal with several external contacts from landlords to tenants and suppliers.

Outside of the workplace, you will find me enjoying walks (and drinks!) in the Calder Valley with my husband and cocker Spaniel – Sami, as well as exploring the UK in our family campervan.