Staff

Here at Suffolk Secrets our staff are our most valuable asset - they are real people, not just telephone operators in a faceless call centre. We have added a "working for Suffolk Secrets" page to our website which lists any current vacancies at SS and also has many good reasons why we like working here!

They all work incredibly hard to find the right cottage to suit your needs. As every cottage has been personally inspected by our staff, when you call us you will be able to talk to someone who has seen the property and can (hopefully!) answer all your questions.

It is important to us to provide a quality service and we are always happy to hear from our visitors with ideas or ways to improve our service.

Members of Staff

Each member of staff has written a short piece about their favourite place in Suffolk (see links below), to give you some idea of some places to go or stay. Feel free to call us anytime and ask for recommendations, we are always glad to help.

Please click on one of our staff pictures to read about their favourite place in Suffolk.

Martyn Howard - Homeowner Liaison Manager

Martyn Howard joined Suffolk Secrets in January 2007 as Manager having worked in Estate Agency along the Heritage Coast for 12 years. Suffolk born and bred, he has also lived in Nottingham, Bristol and Warwickshire but returned to his home county to settle. Martyn, after showing a flair for Recruitment and Homeowner relationships was promoted to Homeowner Liaison Manager and has been responsible for recruiting many of our new properties.

Ann Dobson - Office Manager
	Ann joined Suffolk Secrets in February 2008, having previously run her own locally based secretarial and computer training business for many years. Her interest in property is coupled with a passion for Suffolk. She moved to the area from North London over twenty years ago, and feels it is a privilege to be living in such a wonderful part of the country.

Gill Simmonds
	Gill joined Suffolk Secrets when we moved into the Water Tower in May 2005. She had recently moved to the area from Billericay in Essex where Gill had worked as a secretary in a primary school for several years. Gill’s role here is varied, as she is a member of the bookings team as well as involved in recruiting new properties.

Isabel Kingsley

Isabel lived and worked in London for many years after completing her degree in English and French, She has worked as an English language teacher to foreign students, as well as for a small holiday business. Isabel has always been a great fan of the Southwold area in particular and loves her job at The Old Water Tower. Specialising in the Tourist Board side of the business - organising the visits, liaising with homeowners and accompanying the Inspector during the year.

Len Hodds
	Len has had a most varied career. A keen historian and genealogist in his spare time, he is married with 2 daughters and is our only Southwold resident on the staff. Len specialises in taking all the Suffolk Secrets photographs and having taught computer skills in the past is a great help in solving technical problems at the office. He is a proud grandfather and gardener and has travelled widely.

Lorraine White
	Lorraine originally joined the Sales Team at Suffolk Secrets in 2006 having moved to Suffolk from Ashby-de-la-Zouch following a successful, if tiring period, of running her own pub and restaurant. Although Lorraine works in the Sales Team, her main role is Housekeeping and working with Homeowners on property improvements.

Debbie Laing-Songhurst

Debbie, formerly a Director of Suffolk Holidays Limited, joined the team at The Old Water Tower in January 2008. Apart from being on the sales team Debbie deals with our owners as she manages all gas and electrical safety inspections at our properties and deals with all invoicing. Debbie is originally from Felixstowe but moved to this area some 20 years ago and has worked in tourism for the past 12 years.

Rebecca Snailham

Southwold is an artist’s and designers dream! I love it! As a former art and design student Southwold and its surrounding areas have provided me with many a basis to carry out design and fashion projects. From its aesthetic landscapes to simpler concepts such as boat mechanisms which can be found on the harbours and docks and characteristic nooks and crannies, Southwold is an extraordinary place. It also provides quaint boutiques and designer shops for the more fashion conscious of us as well as cafes and tearooms for that much needed shoppers rest.

Stacy Phillips

I've had a couple of job's working in sales. I have two children and after I had my first child I used to have a part time job at Abbey View Lodges in Leiston. It was a small family run business and i got to meet and greet the customers who arrived, and worked in the office. I've only worked at Suffolk Secrets for 5 months but really enjoy it. Every day is different and challenging. All the staff are very nice and welcoming. It's a great escape from my parental duties and to get some adult conversation.

Ruth Chestney
	I grew up in Bedford and after college in Buckinghamshire came to Suffolk over twenty years ago to work for the Sue Ryder Foundation and more recently for an associated charity which was tasked with establishing a home in Lourdes. For the last four years I have lived in Rendlesham. I love living in Suffolk and particularly enjoy exploring the coastal area.

Angie Brown

Angie joined Suffolk Secrets in June 2009 as part of the sales team and is based at our second office which is now open in Aldeburgh. She is a local person with a wealth of experience in hospitality, previously working for Adnams Hotels at The Crown in Southwold for numerous years. Being a keen walker she feels very lucky to live on the Suffolk Coast surrounded with many pathways across the countryside and proud to be part of Suffolk Secrets who participate in raising money for the Suffolk Coast & Heaths.

Irene Alexander - Operations Director

Irene moved to the region from Scotland in the late eighties and became involved with Suffolk Secrets in May 2005 as Operations Director. She held various management posts in other service industries before joining the company. As well as overseeing the management of the company, Irene's responsibilities include ensuring the day-to-day operational activities of the business run smoothly. One of her main objectives is to ensure that the team at Suffolk Secrets continues to provide the personal and professional service to their customers and homeowners that they always have.

Our Favourite Places:

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