MEET THE TEAM
David Clare FRICS C.Build E MCABE MFPWS
CHARTERED SURVEYOR
David is a Chartered Surveyor & Chartered Building Engineer specialising in surveying listed and conversion buildings. With extensive experience of surveying in the West Country, David offers in-depth knowledge of local vernacular building methods. David’s practice spans surveying all types of residential dwellings, party wall matters, specific defect reports and expert witness work.
Memberships:
- Fellow Royal Institution Chartered Surveyors (FRICS)
- Chartered Building Engineer (C.Build E MCABE)
- RICS Registered Valuer
- Member Faculty of Party Wall Surveyors (MFPWS)
- CIOB Registered in Building Conservation
- Associate Member of the Ecclesiastical Architects & Surveyors Association
Appointments:
- Chair of RICS APC & SPA Panels
- Assessor for SAVA
- Associate Tutor at the University College of Estate Management (Building Surveying Degree Course)
Kate Coombes
PRACTICE MANAGER
Kate, our Practice Manager extraordinaire, has a knack for keeping everything running smoothly (often behind the scenes) whilst ensuring every client experience is seamless and stress-free.
When she’s not managing the office, Kate loves exploring the beautiful West Country coastline, drinking coffee and baking show-stopping cakes.
Erica Bond AssocRICS
RESIDENTIAL BUILDING SURVEYOR
Erica is a Residential Building Surveyor (AssocRICS) and RICS Registered Valuer specialising in surveying residential dwellings for both Level 2 and Level 3 pre-purchase instructions.
Having surveyed hundreds of residential properties throughout the South-West, Erica is a fountain of knowledge from the stone cottages on Exmoor to the brick built Victorian housing stock in Bridgwater and even for modern flats in Exeter. A particular career highlight was coming across a roost of rare long eared bats during a survey of an ancient Devon farmhouse.
Erica loves nothing more than gaining a 5 star review from her clients, however when not focusing on client customer service she is expanding her practice to include more historic buildings and those of the traditional vernacular style.
Memberships:
- Associate Member Royal Institution Chartered Surveyors (AssocRICS)
- RICS Registered Valuer
Matthew Pilkington MRICS
CHARTERED BUILDING SURVEYOR
Matt is a Chartered Building Surveyor (MRICS) with a background in technical due diligence and project management within the residential and commercial sectors. Originally from the West Midlands, he has been based in Bristol since 2020. Matt holds a BSc (Hons) in Building Surveying and brings a practical, client focused approach to each instruction.
Memberships:
- Member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (MRICS)
Kelly Allen MRICS
CHARTERED BUILDING SURVEYOR
Kelly is a Chartered Building Surveyor (MRICS) with extensive experience surveying residential and commercial properties across the Southeast. In 2024, she made the move to the West Country, where she continues to expand her knowledge, particularly in local vernacular architecture.
Her practice spans more than just residential surveys. Kelly regularly takes on party wall appointments, snagging inspections, commercial property assessments and specific defect investigations.
Memberships:
• Member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (MRICS)
Matthew Jones MCIOB AssocRICS
RESIDENTIAL BUILDING SURVEYOR
Matt is a Residential Building Surveyor with an extensive loss adjusting and surveying background in both domestic and commercial properties.
Based in south Wales, Matt is dual qualified by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB). He practices between Swansea, Cardiff and Newport focusing on Level 2 & 3 pre-purchase surveys.
Richard Shepherd BENG (Hons) ICIOB
Consultant Quantity Surveyor
Practicing as a Quantity Surveyor for over 20 years Richard is based in Dorset but remotely covers works throughout our region.
Richard produces listed building insurance reinstatement costs assessments (RCA’s) for the firm which is a great benefit to our clients as many insurers are now asking for an RCA to be conducted before they will insure a listed building.
Additionally, Richard also assists with Party Wall Act costs analysis for enclosures and similar situations.
Taylor Micallef
TRAINEE SURVEYOR
Based in Bristol, she brings nearly a decade of experience in the lettings management sector, insight that complements her transition into surveying. Taylor is known for her strong attention to detail and growing expertise in building pathology. She is currently gaining hands-on experience by assisting our qualified team on-site.
Hannah Pearse
CLIENT RELATIONSHIP MANAGER
Hannah, along with Kiara, runs our day to day administration, sales, phonelines and bookings. Honestly, we don’t know where she gets the time from sometimes!
Likely to be the person you chat to on the phone, with a wealth of knowledge about surveying and the industry as a whole Hannah worked with our Director David Clare at a previous surveying practice and fortunately for us she agreed to work with him (sorry ‘us’) once again.
Fun fact: Hannah is also a fully qualified Dental Nurse!
Kiara Smith
CLIENT RELATIONSHIP MANAGER
Hailing from South Africa Kiara is loved by our clients and often mentioned in our reviews for being a great help!
Probably the best photo of our team Kiara tells us this was taken on a beach in Cape Town where the mountain joins the sea…not that we are jealous or anything…
Miley
OFFICE DOG + BISCUIT THIEF
Miley, our beloved office dog, is a 14-year-old Springer Spaniel with a heart of gold and a love for tennis balls! Despite having just one eye, Miley doesn’t let anything slow her down—whether it’s joining us for walks, napping in the sunniest spot in the office, or sneakily stealing biscuits when no one’s looking.
She’s the official morale booster at West Country Surveyors, always ready to greet people with a wagging tail and plenty of charm. Miley’s favourite activities include snoozing, chasing tennis balls, and keeping us all on our toes!
MEET THE TEAM
David Clare FRICS C.Build E MCABE MFPWS
CHARTERED SURVEYOR
David is a Chartered Surveyor & Chartered Building Engineer specialising in surveying listed and conversion buildings. With extensive experience of surveying in the West Country, David offers in-depth knowledge of local vernacular building methods. David’s practice spans surveying all types of residential dwellings, party wall matters, specific defect reports and expert witness work.
Memberships:
- Fellow Royal Institution Chartered Surveyors (FRICS)
- Chartered Building Engineer (C.Build E MCABE)
- RICS Registered Valuer
- Member Faculty of Party Wall Surveyors (MFPWS)
- CIOB Registered in Building Conservation
- Associate Member of the Ecclesiastical Architects & Surveyors Association
Appointments:
- Chair of RICS APC & SPA Panels
- Assessor for SAVA
- Associate Tutor at the University College of Estate Management (Building Surveying Degree Course)
Kate Coombes
PRACTICE MANAGER
Kate, our Practice Manager extraordinaire, has a knack for keeping everything running smoothly (often behind the scenes) whilst ensuring every client experience is seamless and stress-free.
When she’s not managing the office, Kate loves exploring the beautiful West Country coastline, drinking coffee and baking show-stopping cakes.
Erica Bond AssocRICS
RESIDENTIAL BUILDING SURVEYOR
Erica is a Residential Building Surveyor (AssocRICS) and RICS Registered Valuer specialising in surveying residential dwellings for both Level 2 and Level 3 pre-purchase instructions.
Having surveyed hundreds of residential properties throughout the South-West, Erica is a fountain of knowledge from the stone cottages on Exmoor to the brick built Victorian housing stock in Bridgwater and even for modern flats in Exeter. A particular career highlight was coming across a roost of rare long eared bats during a survey of an ancient Devon farmhouse.
Erica loves nothing more than gaining a 5 star review from her clients, however when not focusing on client customer service she is expanding her practice to include more historic buildings and those of the traditional vernacular style.
Memberships:
- Associate Member Royal Institution Chartered Surveyors (AssocRICS)
- RICS Registered Valuer
Matthew Pilkington MRICS
CHARTERED BUILDING SURVEYOR
Matt is a Chartered Building Surveyor (MRICS) with a background in technical due diligence and project management within the residential and commercial sectors. Originally from the West Midlands, he has been based in Bristol since 2020. Matt holds a BSc (Hons) in Building Surveying and brings a practical, client focused approach to each instruction.
Memberships:
- Member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (MRICS)
Kelly Allen MRICS
CHARTERED BUILDING SURVEYOR
Kelly is a Chartered Building Surveyor (MRICS) with extensive experience surveying residential and commercial properties across the Southeast. In 2024, she made the move to the West Country, where she continues to expand her knowledge, particularly in local vernacular architecture.
Her practice spans more than just residential surveys. Kelly regularly takes on party wall appointments, snagging inspections, commercial property assessments and specific defect investigations.
Memberships:
• Member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (MRICS)
Matthew Jones MCIOB AssocRICS
RESIDENTIAL BUILDING SURVEYOR
Matt is a Residential Building Surveyor with an extensive loss adjusting and surveying background in both domestic and commercial properties.
Based in south Wales, Matt is dual qualified by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB). He practices between Swansea, Cardiff and Newport focusing on Level 2 & 3 pre-purchase surveys.
Richard Shepherd BENG (Hons) ICIOB
Consultant Quantity Surveyor
Practicing as a Quantity Surveyor for over 20 years Richard is based in Dorset but remotely covers works throughout our region.
Richard produces listed building insurance reinstatement costs assessments (RCA’s) for the firm which is a great benefit to our clients as many insurers are now asking for an RCA to be conducted before they will insure a listed building.
Additionally, Richard also assists with Party Wall Act costs analysis for enclosures and similar situations.
Taylor Micallef
TRAINEE SURVEYOR
Based in Bristol, she brings nearly a decade of experience in the lettings management sector, insight that complements her transition into surveying. Taylor is known for her strong attention to detail and growing expertise in building pathology. She is currently gaining hands-on experience by assisting our qualified team on-site.
Hannah Pearse
CLIENT RELATIONSHIP MANAGER
Hannah, along with Kiara, runs our day to day administration, sales, phonelines and bookings. Honestly, we don’t know where she gets the time from sometimes!
Likely to be the person you chat to on the phone, with a wealth of knowledge about surveying and the industry as a whole Hannah worked with our Director David Clare at a previous surveying practice and fortunately for us she agreed to work with him (sorry ‘us’) once again.
Fun fact: Hannah is also a fully qualified Dental Nurse!
Kiara Smith
CLIENT RELATIONSHIP MANAGER
Hailing from South Africa Kiara is loved by our clients and often mentioned in our reviews for being a great help!
Probably the best photo of our team Kiara tells us this was taken on a beach in Cape Town where the mountain joins the sea…not that we are jealous or anything…
Miley
OFFICE DOG + BISCUIT THIEF
Miley, our beloved office dog, is a 14-year-old Springer Spaniel with a heart of gold and a love for tennis balls! Despite having just one eye, Miley doesn’t let anything slow her down—whether it’s joining us for walks, napping in the sunniest spot in the office, or sneakily stealing biscuits when no one’s looking.
She’s the official morale booster at West Country Surveyors, always ready to greet people with a wagging tail and plenty of charm. Miley’s favourite activities include snoozing, chasing tennis balls, and keeping us all on our toes!
