Meet the Team

Name: Ian Butcher
Position: Principal
Time worked in the property industry: 42 years (since 1982)

First car? VW Beetle 1500
First record bought? Tubular Bells - Mike Oldfield
Describe your ideal home. A 45ft narrowboat on the Grand Union Canal, Aylesbury.
Favourite film? Blade Runner

Why did you start your own business? Having been in partnership with six other people for nine years, the recession hit us and it dawned on me that I needed the freedom to make my own choices, and in doing so, protect a number of local employees who had worked for me for many years.

What do clients say about you? On choosing to sell my property, from the first meeting with Ian Butcher, I had confidence in him as an individual, and the philosophy of the company to the point that I cancelled the other agents' appointments on day one.

Name: Jo Black
Position: Branch Manager and Residential Lettings Manager
Branch: Penistone
Time worked at Butcher Residential: 11 years
Time worked in the property industry: 24 years

Favourite Food: Indian
Favourite Film: Love a good rom-com, What Happens in Vegas
Ideal Night Out: I’m too old for nights out, I enjoy a good afternoon out in town followed by an early night!

What's the funniest anecdote you have from working in the property industry? I once received a landlord’s Gas Safety Certificate from our contractor for a property we didn’t manage. It turned out the plumber had knocked on the wrong door and the tenant of the property who rented through another agent actually let him in, he carried out a boiler service and provided us with a certificate!

What initially sparked your interest in the property industry and what led you to join our estate agency? I have always enjoyed looking online at properties, in particular internal photographs, and relished the opportunity to work for a family run business with an outstanding reputation when I was offered a position within Butcher Residential Limited.

What unique qualities, skills or values do you bring to the table that sets you apart from other professional estate agents? I feel I have excellent negotiating skills which enable me to resolve bond issues quickly and amicably.

What do clients say about you? Many thanks for all your hard work and super professional service for us. We're considering whether to rent out my mum's house when she moves, so I'm likely to be back in touch.

Name: Holly Butcher
Position: Sales Negotiator and Valuer
Branch: Denby Dale
Time worked at Butcher Residential: Nine years
Time worked in the property industry: Nine years

Favourite film? Juno
Favourite book? The Thursday Murder Club

Your favourite local restaurant/pub/bar and why. Cubley Hall. It's two minutes away from my house and they serve good beer. I'm also getting married there!
Describe your ideal home. A cosy little cottage with enough land for a couple of ponies and sheep, and a barn for whatever project car my partner and I have on...

What's the funniest anecdote you have from working in the property industry? (One that is suitable for all ages and won't get you into trouble!) I was carrying out a viewing for a property's owners, their cat came to the front door and wanted letting in, I think it was snowing, and the cat flap wasn't working. I opened the door and gave it a fuss, it waltzed in and made itself at home in the living room in front of the fire. Before leaving I text the sellers to let them know how the viewing went, and sent a photo of the cat looking oh so cute and cosy. It wasn't their cat, it was next door's cat. Oops...

What do clients say about you? Holly was diligent, communicated clearly and was incredibly helpful throughout the process. I wouldn’t hesitate to use them again for any sale or even a purchase.

Name: Mel Peel
Position: Sales Manager
Branch: Denby Dale
Time worked at Butcher Residential: Six years
Time worked in the property industry: 15 years

Favourite food: Chinese
Favourite TV show: Breaking Bad
Favourite local restaurant: The Dunkirk, Denby Dale. Amazing restaurant, the food is always first class.
Favourite quote: "It is what it is."

What's the funniest anecdote you have from working in the property industry? (One that is suitable for all ages and won't get you into trouble!) On entry to a rather prestigious property at an accompanied viewing, I struggled to find the burglar alarm control panel. After 30 seconds the alarm started sounding. Whilst I called the office to try to find out where the control panel was located, I noticed a car pull up onto the driveway. Assuming it was the arrival of my viewers, I went out to meet them and explain to them what had happened, only to be greeted by four armed policemen, demanding me to drop my keys and phone, and put my hands on top of my head! The burglar alarm system had directly notified the police department to an intruder alert, and they thought I was the suspect!

What do clients say about you? As the purchaser of a property, I found Mel Peel to be extremely knowledgeable and able to answer all of my queries. She was a very good liaison between myself and the vendors and was always prompt and direct in her communication with me. I have nothing but good things to say about Butcher Residential, the epitome of customer service.

Name: Jennifer Linskey
Position: Secretary & PA to Ian Butcher
Branch: Penistone
Time worked at Butcher Residential: Five years
Time worked in the property industry: Ten years

Ideal night out? Dinner and dancing
First record bought? Harvest - Neil Young
Last holiday destination? Greece
Describe your ideal home. A country cottage.

Can you describe a typical day in your role as an estate agent, and the various tasks you handle? Most of my day is committed to transcribing Ian's dictations for property listings and uploading them to various marketing websites, and completing admin paperwork. I also take calls and arrange viewings and valuation appointments.