JBGASS - Key Persons


James Latham

Job Titles:
  • Trainee Conveyancer
James joined in September 2020, choosing to start his career with JBGass rather than University. James is putting his advanced IT skills to good use with our case management system and new app. Having spent time doing work experience with his dad at a local estate agent office, he is confident in dealing with clients and has a good grasp of the conveyancing process. Outside of work, James enjoys spending time with his friends, watching the latest series on Netflix.

Jayne Blackburn

Job Titles:
  • Paralegal
Jayne joined in April 2021 from a regional firm based in Manchester City Centre following 31 years working in Corporate Finance and Private Equity. Jayne started her legal career as an Office Junior in Corporate working her way up to providing secretarial support to Heads of Department in various international practices and, more recently, Head of Office. In a previous practice, she held the role of Team Co-Ordinator, managing three teams of PAs and being the first point of contact for each of those teams. Outside of work, Jayne enjoys horse riding and has taken part in local dressage competitions with her horse, Star.

Lara Hallworth

Job Titles:
  • Paralegal
Lara joined JBGass in May 2022 as a Paralegal. Lara has extensive experience making personal injury claims and has more recently been involved in conveyancing work and legal costs. Lara has worked in four different countries over the years including working in law since 2005. Outside of work Lara enjoys cooking, country walks and travelling in the UK, especially trips to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. She also likes socialising with friends and spending time with family.

Lauren Cunningham

Job Titles:
  • Associate
  • Solicitor
Lauren joined JB Gass in November 2021, having qualified in 2015 and previously working at both another high street practice and city centre firm. Lauren has experience in residential conveyancing, acting for landlord's and tenant's in respect of commercial leases and shared ownership schemes. Lauren also has experience of development acquisitions, both land acquisitions and new build plot acquisitions. Outside of work Lauren enjoys yoga, baking and spending time with friends and family, including Hugo, the chihuahua.

Lesley Peberdy

Job Titles:
  • Legal Secretary
Lesley joined JBGass in September 2022. Lesley spent 30 years at HM Revenue & Customs based in Macclesfield. Lesley then moved into accountancy before working at several local law firms. Outside of work, Lesley has an array of animals name after various Manchester Utd players. Her love of animals has also extended to feeding lions & polar bears. Lesley also enjoys spending time with two adult children and one amazing grandson Her next plan is to do a wing walk and hand feed a tiger.

Luke Hewitt

Job Titles:
  • Head of Commercial Conveyancing, Solicitor & Director
Luke joined JBGass in 2010 before completing his GDL, LPC & formal training contract. He became a company Director in October 2019. Luke has experience across the property spectrum but specialises in commercial property. He acts for developers in residential & commercial land acquisitions which includes the resulting disposals including plot sales. He also acts for Landlords & Tenants in regards to commercial Leases, as well as associated company work. Outside of work, Luke enjoys eating burgers, drinking milkshakes, playing football, wearing his parka and listening to anything involving a Gallagher. He is also a disenfranchised Manchester United supporter.

Mark Andrew

Job Titles:
  • Accounts Manager
Mark joined in April 2018 after several years at an international insolvency practice. Mark has previously undertaken fixed & locum cashier roles at several high street practices. Mark has assisted in modernising & streamlining our accounts department which has also vastly reduced costs. Mark is integral to the efficient running of the business & assists Rick on a weekly basis. Mark also assists with financial compliance in his role as COFA. Mark is part of the management team which assists the board of Directors ensure the successful running of the business. Outside of work, Mark enjoys eating out, watching sport & trips to the Lake District.

Matthew Forrester

Job Titles:
  • Solicitor
Matthew joined JBGass in September 2023 after several years at a firm in Manchester. A Solicitor who has many years of experience in several areas of law, Matthew now specialises in Residential Conveyancing for which he has a particular passion. Outside of work, Matthew enjoys trips to Anglesey with his family and is an avid supporter of Manchester City.

Melissa Kirkham

Job Titles:
  • Plot Conveyancer
Melissa joined JBGass in September 2021 from a national house builder's legal department where she specialised in plot work for 8 years. Prior to that she worked in residential conveyancing. Outside of work, Melissa enjoys spending time with her family, socialising with friends and going on holiday.

Monica Rafie

Job Titles:
  • Head of Residential Conveyancing, Solicitor & Director
Monica joined JBGass in July 2023 Since qualifying in 2014, Monica has established herself as a trusted Solicitor for clients. She strives for swift and efficient conveyancing without compromising on the quality of her work. Monica's passion for Property Law is evident in her professional work and her commitment to mentoring aspiring legal professionals through social media platforms and collaborations with Universities. She shares her knowledge and experience, giving guidance and support to students and those in the industry eager to delve into the intricacies of Property Law. She often encourages work experience to take place in the office. Outside of work, Monica chairs a Stockport charity to help the homeless and vulnerable. She's a mum of three, including twins, and has used her organisational skills to balance work and motherhood, often blogging about her experiences as a working mother on social media.

Natalie Rogerson - Managing Director

Job Titles:
  • Director
  • Managing Director
  • Solicitor
Natalie joined JBGass in April 2016 from another high street practice in Altrincham. After a successful 3 years with us, she became a Director in October 2019. Natalie has gained extensive experience across two areas of law having practised a mixed caseload since qualifying. Natalie is proficient across the residential property spectrum and also has extensive experience within Wills & Probate, which allows Natalie to deal with linked property work. She was grant ed STEP des ig na tion in August 2021 and ensures that the depart ment works to the outlined standards. Outside of work, Natalie enjoys socialising with friends and spending time with family.

Rick Barrow - CMO

Job Titles:
  • Marketing Director
Rick joined JBGass in October 2007 and is a member of the Chartered Institute of Marketing. He became a Director in April 2015. Rick deals with all Marketing and Business Development for the firm. He also deals with monitoring and improving the delivery of our legal services through client and other stakeholder feedback, as well as his own non-legal business experience. Outside of work, Rick enjoys time with his son, playing padel ball, and drinking wine.

Sara Haywood

Job Titles:
  • Legal Assistant
Sara joined JBGass in August 2023, having previously fulfilled a post-completion role at a city centre firm. Prior to this, Sara worked in the financial industry in both debt recovery and interest-only mortgages to assist with her knowledge of the property industry. Outside of work, Sara has a love of music, attending concerts & making her own music. She also co-runs an LGBTQ-themed book club which I started in January 2023 and enjoy cross-stitching, playing video games, photography and the gym.

Stephanie Burke

Job Titles:
  • Operations Manager
Stephanie joined JBGass in October 2021 taking on the new role as Operations Manager. Prior to this role Stephanie worked as the Legal Panel Manager for a panel management company. Stephanie qualified as a Fellow of the Institute of Legal Executives in 2018 and has over 15 years' experience working in conveyancing. Outside of work Stephanie enjoys running and travelling, often combining these two passions. She loves spending time with her dog Juno as well as socialising with friends.

Susan Higgins

Job Titles:
  • Legal Assistant
  • Specialist
Sue joined in April 2019 from another local high street practice. Sue is a specialist new build assistant & thrives with the fast pace of new build conveyancing. She is very client focused & proficient with Help to Buy which includes preparing Form 1 & 2 plus chasing lender responses in short timescales.

Tetyana Rehman

Job Titles:
  • Solicitor
Tetyana joined JBGass in May 2023 Tetyana qualified as a Solicitor in January 2009 and has over 15 years experience in Property law, previously working at a large city centre firm and other high street practices. Tetyana also practiced in other areas of law, before specialising in Property Law, for which she has particular passion. Outside of work Tetyana enjoys travelling around the world, learning about different cultures and spending time with family and friends.

Vicky Bladon

Job Titles:
  • Solicitor
Vicky joined JBGass in September 2023 from another high street practice in Sale. Vicky has extensive experience in dealing with Wills, Lasting Powers of Attorney and Deputy Applications. Outside of work Vicky enjoys spending time with her young family and friends and keeping fit.