Ana Young graduated from SRUC Aberdeen in 2019 with a 2:1 in Rural Business Management BA(Hons). She is currently working towards becoming RICS qualified and is keen to gain experience in all aspects of her work. She grew up in a remote area of the Scottish Highlands where her love for agriculture and field sports began. She spends her spare time out and about with Whinnie, her working cocker spaniel.

Ali is a graduate rural surveyor who joined the team in November 2019 after graduating from Scottish Rural University College (SRUC) with a 2:1 BA Hons degree in Rural Business Management.

From a young age, Ali had an interest in the agricultural sector through growing up in the countryside and assisting with livestock on a range of holdings in her later years. Realising this was a career she wished to pursue she enrolled in SRUC in 2015. Ali is involved in many aspects of the firm’s work including property management, residential sales, countryside stewardship & agri-environment schemes, mapping, forest and woodland management, utilities and valuation work. She is a member of the South of Scotland Border Valuers Association, a probationary member of SAAVA and currently studying towards her APC.

In her spare time Ali enjoys attending young farmers, keeping fit, being outdoors and embarking on various hill climbs in the borders and highlands.

Chris has a passionate interest in the well being of the rural community and the protection of the countryside environment. He firmly believes in the importance of sustainable economic development for the rural sector and is keen to engage all sections of the community into gaining a better understanding of the environment, its protection and its potential.

Having joined Edwin Thompson in 2009 and becoming Associate Partner in 2019, Chris is based in the firm’s Carlisle office but acts for clients over a wide area. He manages several estates around Cumbria and Lancashire involved in all day to day management. Chris is regularly involved with Farm Acquisitions and Disposals, GIS Mapping, Environmental Impact Assessments and Planning Applications. He carries out Basic Payment Scheme applications and provides advice on all aspects of DEFRA Rural Development Schemes and related grant and subsidy initiatives including agri-environmental schemes. He also advises clients on renewable energy projects including anaerobic digestion, wind, biomass, and hydro developments. Most recently Chris worked on a flood alleviation scheme for an estate in county Durham. He has recently undertaken an Environmental Impact Assessment for a forestry plantation on a showcase estate in Western Scotland and carried out a portfolio valuation for a leading infrastructure, transport and real estate investment company.

Chris studied Agriculture and Farm Business Management (BSc (Hons)) at the University of Newcastle. With a family background in farming he has not only a theoretical understanding of agriculture but also practical, hands on experience of managing estates.

Chris is Chairman of his Parish Council, enjoys field sports, rowing and plays for the local cricket club. He previously spent a year coaching and playing cricket in Australia and was captain of his university rowing team.