Meet our team

Ben Waites AssocRICS

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.

Lisa Frost

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

Property Manager

Hi, I'm Rachel and as a property manager 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.

Amanda Darry

Assistant Estate Agent Administrator

Hi, my name is Amanda. I joined the WS Residential team in 2025 as a negotiator assistant. I support our customers with accompanied viewings and assist the sales team. Before joining WS Residential, I spent 30 years in catering management. I love being in a customer-facing role and using my skills to support our buyers, sellers and renters alike. I enjoy travelling the world, home interiors, baking, and I am partial to a Netflix marathon.

Shona Hardacre

Sales Valuer

Hi, I'm Shona, I'm a sales valuer 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 have passed my level 3 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.

Daniel Field

Sales 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

Senior 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.

Mia Johnson

Property Manager

Mia joined WS Residential in June 2025 and brings a fresh perspective to the world of property management. While new to the field, she approaches her role with a strong customer-first mindset and a passion for creating a smooth, stress-free experience for both landlords and tenants.

As Property Manager, Mia is responsible for overseeing residential properties and ensuring everything runs like clockwork. She’s focused on building positive relationships, delivering clear and timely communication, and providing a responsive and reliable service. For Mia, great property management is about more than bricks and mortar—it’s about people feeling supported, understood, and at ease.

Whether you’re a homeowner looking for peace of mind or a tenant wanting to feel right at home, Mia’s approachable manner and attention to detail make her a valuable part of the team.

Outside of work, Mia enjoys travelling with her partner, spending time with friends and family, and getting thoroughly stuck into a good Netflix binge.

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.

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!

Mary McGlade

Accompanied Viewer

Hi, I'm Mary, and I'm part of the lettings team.

I work as an accompanied viewer, helping to book and host viewings for our to-let properties. I joined in March 2026 and quickly settled into the role.

Before this, I was self-employed for five years with Viewber, where I gained valuable experience in lettings. I came into this role with a good understanding of the local lettings market, which I use to help our landlords and tenants.

Outside of work, I have a busy home life and am very family-oriented. I enjoy hiking and travelling to new places, and I spend lots of time at parks and play gyms with my granddaughter, who means the world to me.

Melissa Powell

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.

Laura Briggs

Accounts Assistant

Hi, I'm Laura, I provide accounts support to the lettings team. My role involves liaising with third party suppliers to ensure prompt payments and compliance. I assist with collecting rental payments and issuing funds to our clients, ensuring everything runs smoothly. I also provide administrative support to the accounts manager, directors and the wider WS Residential team. I am professional, supportive and enjoy being a member of a customer focussed team.

When not at work, I love spending time with my friends and family. Most weekends you'll find me at the side of a rugby pitch watching my son or husband play, or at dance practice with my girls. I love to treat myself to an Aperol spritz from time to time too!