Land agent appoints youngest associate partner for 25 years

A Cotswold and North Wiltshire land and estate agent has appointed its youngest associate partner for 25 years.

Rural surveyor Stuart Milsom (30) of Cirencester, has been appointed to the position of associate partner at Moore Allen & Innocent, the one of the largest providers of rural expertise in the region.

Stuart – the first addition to the partnership in over four years – grew up on a farm in Sherston, near Malmesbury, but swapped his wellies for a suit and tie during his Business Management degree at Oxford Brooks University, which he completed in 2004.

He was soon back in a tweed jacket, however, when he landed his first job at Moore Allen in 2005, assisting partner Chris Graham with the business side of farm management – helping farmers in the Cotswolds, North Wiltshire and West Oxfordshire to understand and implement legislation from the UK and EU.

And when senior partner and chairman Robert Young retired from the partnership last year, Stuart picked up the management reins of several large estates.

With City money pouring into the Cotswold countryside, Stuart reckons his business management degree helps him understand the needs of investors buying into the rural idyll, whose estates require careful management.

“I feel that I am well placed to advise new entrants into the countryside,” said Stuart, “ as well as meeting the needs of our traditional long standing agricultural client base.”

Senior partner Mark Hill said Stuart’s appointment would strengthen the agricultural team, and provide stability for the future.

Stuart joins residential estate agent Mark Halliwell – appointed in 2009 – as one of the next generation of partners.

“This is a great plaudit for Stuart, who has been rewarded for all the hard work he has put in,” said Mark.

“I was delighted to be offered the opportunity by the partners,” said Stuart, “and I’m grateful for the support they’ve given me since I joined the firm.