Our Team

When you contact us, you can be assured that our team will provide a first class and friendly service. We pride ourselves on our professional services and long-standing client relationships.

Robert Hicks FRICS FAAV

Bob’s career began after graduating from the Royal Agricultural College, Cirencester with a Diploma in Rural Estate Management. He initially worked as a Land Agent for Cornwall County Council and then Devon County Council, followed by work for various Private Practices. Bob established Robert H Hicks Chartered Surveyors in 1991 and in 2003 along with Johanna Merritt, they formed Robert H Hicks & Co as Directors and Shareholders.

Bob has held various prestigious posts within RICS and CAAV as a former President of the CAAV. As a member of the Lord Chancellor’s Panel of Agricultural Arbitrators, Bob is often involved in dispute resolution and provides expert witness work for the law courts.

Bob has been an elected member of Torridge District Council for nearly 20 years and at home, West Hele is still a working farm rearing beef cattle.

Email: bob@roberthhicks.co.uk

Johanna Merritt BSc (Hons) MRICS FAAV

Jo joined Robert H Hicks in 1996, after graduating from University of Plymouth Seale Hayne Faculty and working in Gloucestershire on an Estate. In 2003 she and Robert Hicks formed Robert H Hicks & Co. Jo grew up on her parent’s beef and sheep farm in Cornwall where she farms today with her husband Jonathan.

Jo is a RICS Registered Valuer, Recommended Professional for the Tenant Farmers Association and South West TFA Committee Representative, Chairman of the Central Association of Agricultural Valuers Farming & Environment Committee and past Chairman of the Cornwall Agricultural Valuers Association.

Email: johanna@roberthhicks.co.uk | Mobile: 07976 648415

Andrew Heywood BSc (Hons) MRICS FAAV

Andrew returned to the South West in July 2017 to join Robert H Hicks & Co as a graduate from Harper Adams University with an Honours Degree in Rural Enterprise & Land Management (REALM).

Since his return, Andrew has qualified for the Fellowship of the Central Association of Agricultural Valuers in December 2018, became a Professional Member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors in November 2019 and is a RICS Registered Valuer.

Andrew was brought up on his family farm in North Devon, enjoying rural life from a young age. In his spare time Andrew enjoys shooting and is heavily involved with Buckland Brewer Young Farmers Club.

Email: andrew@roberthhicks.co.uk | Mobile: 07375 930647

Sophie Tamblyn BSc (Hons) MRICS FAAV

Sophie undertook her placement year at Robert H Hicks & Co in 2018 and has since returned to the firm as a graduate after working for another regional firm. Sophie graduated from Harper Adams University in July 2019, with an Honours Degree in Rural Enterprise & Land Management (REALM).

Since her return, Sophie qualified as a Professional Member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors in June 2021 and became a Fellow of the Central Association of Agricultural Valuers in December 2021.

Sophie was brought up on her family farm in South East Cornwall, enjoying rural life from a young age. Sophie is an active member of Cornwall Young Farmers and enjoys horse riding and paddle boarding in her spare time.

Email: sophie@roberthhicks.co.uk | Mobile: 07375 540069

Sophie Bakewell

Sophie is currently undertaking her Student Placement Year at Robert H Hicks & Co while studying a BSc Hons Degree in Agriculture and Animal Science at Harper Adams University.

She lives on her family arable farm in Worcestershire, predominantly growing cereals and field-scale vegetables.

Sophie enjoys walking and cooking in her spare time, and is looking forward to exploring North Devon.

Email: sbakewell@roberthhicks.co.uk

Lowri Jones

Lowri is studying a BSc Hons Degree in Rural Enterprise and Land Management at Harper Adams University and joins us for her Student Placement Year.

She is from the Brecon Beacons in Wales where the family farm sheep and beef cattle.

Lowri in her spare time likes to help with showing the pedigree stock and baking.

Email: lowri@roberthhicks.co.uk

Teresa Hector BA (Hons)

Teresa joined Robert H Hicks & Co in 2018 as Office Manager. After graduating from the University of Glamorgan with a BA (Hons) Business Administration Teresa returned to North Devon to work within the admin and recruitment sectors.

Teresa and her husband Jon also own and run Devonia Escapes, a self-catering holiday accommodation business with 2 hand crafted cabins and helps organise the annual village Garden & Craft Show.

Email: info@roberthhicks.co.uk

Di Beer

Di joined Robert H Hicks & Co in 2023 as an Administrator, having been the Administrator at a local primary school for 15 years.

Brought up in Cornwall, Di spent her spare time out on Bodmin Moor on her pony. She completed the National Diploma in Agriculture at Bicton College before moving to North Devon in 1990.

She enjoys helping out with the family business and is also an enthusiastic member of Teachers Rock, a South West based choir.

Email: admin@roberthhicks.co.uk

Sue Tucker

Sue joined Robert H Hicks & Co in 2024 as an Admin Assistant, having been a UK investment data administrator. She has lived in Torrington since 2000 with her husband and daughters.

Any spare time Sue has is taken up with her horse and helping with the family Mini Contracting business.

Email: sue@roberthhicks.co.uk