A WELL-KNOWN face in the regional commercial and valuation surveying sectors has joined one of its fastest growing practices.

Jeff Crabtree has been appointed a director of rural, commercial and residential chartered surveyors Windle Beech Winthrop Ltd, based at Skipton Auction Mart.

Like many of the WBW team, Jeff has a background in farming – his brothers continue to run the family farm in Clifton, near Otley – and after being educated at the town’s Prince Henry’s Grammar School he trained as an auctioneer, valuer and chartered surveyor under Ben Atkinson at Wharfedale Farmers Auction Mart.

He is a member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, Fellow of the Institute of Commercial Business Agents and Fellow of the National Association of Estate Agents.

As well as providing auctioneering services to WBW, he continues to hone his auctioneering skills on a part-time basis at Skipton, Otley and Thirsk Auction Marts.

Jeff, who lives in Otley, is chairman of Wharfedale Agricultural Society, which organises the annual Otley Show. Married with three grown-up children, he enjoys shooting and walking.

WBW director Michael Beech said “We are delighted and privileged to welcome Jeff to our Board. To secure the services of someone with over 35 years’ of relevant experience across all areas of our core business is a fantastic opportunity for our growing business and will strengthen the professional services available to our clients."