Returning to Shropshire, Clarissa joins Balfours

Clarissa Haynes, grew up and was educated in Shropshire, has returned to the county to join Balfours land agency based at Oxon Business Park.

She left to study at Cirencester, achieving a BSc Hons in Rural Land Management at the Royal Agricultural University. Next stop Clarissa spent nearly two years working in real estate in London. Ultimately the draw of her countryside roots, plus the tie of family and friends, means it was an obvious choice to join a Rural agency. Combine her knowledge of the area with her education in Rural Land Management.

Clarissa reflects: “At 18 years old, having already gained work experience in several land and estate agencies in school holidays, I knew estate management was for me. Cirencester and then the capital enabled me to spread my wings and it has been totally inspiring, viewing life from so many new perspectives. Now I am relishing working with the team at Balfours, broadening my experience as I start to work towards my Assessment of Professional Competence – APCs, over the next few years.”

As an assistant, Clarissa will work with Balfours Partner, Richard Jones-Perrott, who is ideally suited as an APC assessor for RICS. Richard says: Clarissa is a good people person, add to that her qualifications, growing-up and understanding rural issues, plus her knowledge of the area, provides her with a sound springboard to flourish and I look forward to mentoring her.”

Right now, her work and training are her highest priority, but when she is looking for downtime, socialising, walking and horse race-meetings provide good respite. Totally pragmatic, she says that her love of horse riding will have to wait…for now.