A NEW rural land agency has opened for business with offices in North Yorkshire and Cumbria.

Ed Hewetson and Edward Johnson have established Hewetson & Johnson after knowing each other for nearly 30 years.

Mr Hewetson said the traditional rural land management market had often been serviced by larger businesses.

“We believe that private clients increasingly want a bespoke and cost-effective service,” he said. “We felt that this provided us with an opportunity, as we are confident that the personal and flexible approach we can offer as a small partnership will provide the service required by rural clients.”

Both have a strong background in land management and knowledge of the North of England.

Mr Hewetson worked in Northumberland and Norfolk before returning to North Yorkshire where he was working prior to cofounding the new partnership.

He specialises in rural professional work, with a strong emphasis on providing valuation advice, reviewing private client assets, and succession planning. He has strong family roots on both sides of the Pennines and is based in Kirkby Stephen.

Mr Johnson was brought up in Yorkshire but also has family connections in north Lancashire. He initially worked in private practice, covering the Pennines and the Lake District, and was most recently employed as the assistant factor on the Roxburghe Estates, a large estate in the Scottish Borders.

He can provide advice on estate structuring and planning and is based in Coxwold, near Thirsk.

Mr Johnson said: “We are delighted to have our doors open for business. We aim to be a real alternative to the bigger land agent firms operating in the North of England.

“We have a clear plan of the direction in which we would like to take our business, but ensuring that we provide a professional and proactive service to our clients will be the cornerstone to Hewetson & Johnson.”