UK property market update August 2026 - Tag

Max Stapleton

Auction Property Manager

Max began his career in 2013, initially working for a Bedfordshire local law firm, before moving to London in 2015 for 3 years, and started a career in recruitment. For the next 10 years he worked in recruitment sales across a wide range of sectors; including, energy, residential and commercial property law, retail and hospitality. He has lived in Buckinghamshire and Bedfordshire for the past 8 years. These varied environments helped sharpen his natural sales ability and developed a confident, personable communication style.

He joined Robinson & Hall in 2026 and is valued for his ability to build rapport quickly and provide clarity throughout what can often be a complex process.

Outside Robinson & Hall, Max is a keen golfer and can often be found on the course in his spare time. When not playing, he enjoys time with his family and heading to the Cotswolds whenever they get the chance.

Laura Saunders

Marketing & PR Manager

After gaining her degree in fine art, Laura started her working career in London within the marketing team for one of the capital’s most recognised estate agency brands. Moving out to Bedfordshire, she undertook a new role, becoming Marketing & PR Manager for Robinson and Hall in 2012. Since then, Laura has introduced a wealth of new ideas, overseeing all the departments, not just the Auction department, being instrumental in raising the profile of the company.

Today, her time is divided between our company marketing needs, her busy family life, which includes assisting her husband with the running of their family farm, being a mum, and also being quite an accomplished artist. Her trademark landscapes and animal images (mostly farm animals) can be found on a range of products within local shops and garden centres.

Debbie Sutton

Auction Administrator

Debbie initially joined Robinson & Hall providing maternity cover, and she quickly became a valued member of the team, particularly for her down-to-earth manner and good humour. As a wife and mother, her time is limited so Debbie works part-time, although on auction days she is there until the end.

Outside Robinson & Hall, Debbie enjoys her family, girls’ nights out/in, and, like Alex, she is a life-long Liverpool supporter.

Lee Jackson

Auction Property Lister

As an ex-professional golfer and coach who has worked and played throughout Europe, Lee possesses a natural ability to connect with people to identify and understand their needs. He joined Robinson & Hall with experience in the retirement sector of the property market where he put his people skills to good use.

Outside Robinson & Hall, Lee is still a passionate golfer, although much of his spare time is spent enjoying the company of his wife and two young children.

David Howard

Lead Generation Manager

David joined the team in 2022, not from a property background but from a business relationship and telesales background. That experience has enabled David to develop new relationships with an ever-increasing number of Partner Agents where his good nature, tenacity and vision for commercial opportunities has helped many initial sceptics to be won over to the benefits of having an auction provider.

Outside Robinson & Hall, David is another keen follower of sport, rugby in particular, and enjoys spending time with family and friends.

Ian Wilson

Auction Manager

Prior to joining Robinson & Hall in 2015, Ian worked in business to business sales selling storage solutions and then moved onto to supplying specialist trading room furniture. In 1993 he set up his own business selling furniture and also provided relocation services for clients. He entered the property industry selling high-value property in Portugal for over a decade before returning to the UK where shortly after he joined Robinson & Hall.

Outside Robinson & Hall, Ian still retains a love for the Mediterranean and enjoys frequent visits with his wife to enjoy good food and wine. As well as being a keen golfer, Ian also enjoys following rugby union and football, and he is an Arsenal supporter.

Alex Grant

Auction Office Manager

Alex joined Robinson & Hall in 2014 and quickly demonstrated his already considerable property experience, together with his ability to master challenging technology. Another key strength is his incredible memory of properties and buyers and sellers; there aren’t many he can’t recall from over the past 10 years.

Outside Robinson & Hall, Alex’s interests and passions are family, socialising with his friends, the occasional gym workout, sport in general and specifically following Liverpool Football Club.

Charles Lovell

Head of Auction Department

Having spent many years extensively traveling and working in Asia, Africa, Australia and America, Charles started working in the property industry in the mid-1990s. His first involvement in property auctions was following the financial crisis of 2008 which he describes as a revelation.

Charles joined Robinson & Hall in 2012 and has been instrumental in building the auction department into one of the most successful regional auction houses in the country.

Outside Robinson & Hall, Charles still enjoys travel, time with his family, and his other passion is motorcycles.

David Jones

Auctioneer

After university in Cambridge, David joined Robinson & Hall as a youngster, his first full-time position training as a Chartered Surveyor and Agricultural Valuer under Michael Robinson, the great grandson of the firm’s founder. Four decades on, David is our Chairman, as well as our Auctioneer. His primary focus is executing the sale of strategic development land across the region, although he also finds time to review and check every legal pack, in addition to his appearances on the rostrum.

Outside Robinson & Hall, he regularly enjoys shooting, fishing and golf, with an annual pilgrimage to Henley Regatta with his old university rowing mates to cheer on the Light Blues.

Tag: UK property market update August 2026

UK Property Market Update: Why Auctions Are Thriving in a Slower Market

FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA AND KEEP UP TO DATE WITH THE LATEST PROPERTY AUCTION NEWS AND AUCTION DATES