An estate agent working in Exeter for Strutt & Parker has been promoted to head up the firm’s Country House department at the relatively young age of just 33 years old.

Former Etonian Oliver Custance Baker (main pic) only joined the company ten years ago as a negotiator after finishing his Masters degree at the Royal Agricultural College.

He progressed through the business swiftly becoming a director in 2012,  a year after joining the firm at its Exeter office.

Last year he was the most successful advisor within the residential agency business, helped by his work alongside the firm’s Country House operation. The market for this kind of property has been enjoying a boom during post-lockdown pandemic months.

Castle coup

His deals have included several high-profile prime and super-prime properties in the SW including Ince Castle in Cornwall and Mamhead House in Devon.

Kate Eales (pictured), Head of regional agency at Strutt & Parker comments: “Promoting from within the business is testament to the ability for individuals to climb the ranks within Strutt & Parker.

“Nurturing talent and developing progressive career paths is incredibly important to us. Oliver is a perfect example of how this can be done successfully, and to appoint him as head of this department bodes well for the future of the team, and the super-prime country market more broadly.”

Custance Baker adds: “To head up a team of agents who are considered at the top of their game and work alongside a network of regional offices, rich in local market knowledge, is what will drive the success of this team for our clients.”