Meet our team of dedicated commercial property professionals.

Ryan Barker

DipSurv MRICS

Director - Commercial Property

Ryan is a Chartered Surveyor and Director of the commercial property team.

Having joined Walker Singleton in 1996 and qualified in 2003, he acts for a range of clients predominantly throughout the West Yorkshire region. He deals with a wide variety of property assets in the industrial, commercial, and retail sectors.

Ryan manages commercial agency, valuation, landlord and tenant matters, and acquisition and disposal work. He also runs the Halifax and Huddersfield commercial property teams within the company and is a longstanding committee member and former Chairman of the Industrial Agents Society for the North West of England.

Outside of work, Ryan enjoys playing golf and walking in the country.

Joined Walker Singleton in November 1996.

Paul Diakiw

DipSurv MRICS FNARA

Director – Commercial Property

Paul heads up the commercial property departments across our Leeds and Bradford offices and amongst general agency and valuation work. He specialises in ecclesiastical property. As a Registered Property Receiver, he focuses time on property receivership and distressed property matters, advising banks, building societies and lenders, and property insolvency practitioners. He also regularly acts as a single joint expert in property valuation disputes.

Paul's free time is mostly spent with his family or playing and watching sports (while supporting his home team, Bradford City). He's also passionate about cars.

Joined Walker Singleton in August 1991.

Edward Booth

BA Hons

Graduate Surveyor – Commercial Property

Edward joined the Walker Singleton commercial property team as a Graduate Surveyor. He is a valuable member of the commercial property agency team supporting our diverse clients with lettings and sales of commercial property.

Before joining the team, he gained his degree in Philosophy and Politics at the University of York. Edward was also a professional cricketer, making him very goal focused and not afraid of hard work. His work as a cricket coach also honed his customer service skills and his ability to build great customer relationships.

In his spare time Edward still plays cricket. He’s also an avid reader and amateur genealogist. He loves to be out in the Yorkshire countryside with his dalmatian.

Joined Walker Singleton in October 2024.

Phil Deakin

MRICS

Senior Surveyor – Commercial Property

Phil oversees Walker Singleton's work in Huddersfield and the wider Kirklees district. With significant experience and know-how – he's spent 22 years working in the commercial market – Phil has a comprehensive understanding of the market's nuances and challenges. In addition, he has a BSc (Hons) in Commercial Property from Sheffield Hallam University.

When he's not at work, Phil enjoys sports, reading, and learning about the environment.

Joined Walker Singleton in October 2009.

Piers Fisher

MRICS

Chartered Surveyor – Commercial Property

Piers carries out general practice and is a Trainee Valuer while he studies to become a Chartered Surveyor. He's backed by knowledge from his education, including his MSc in Real Estate from the University College of Estate Management.

Outside of work, Piers is a keen cricketer, having played for two decades. He can often be found at his cricket club playing, coaching, or assisting with the ground.

Joined Walker Singleton in November 2018.

Lily Garside

Trainee Surveyor – Commercial Property

Lily plays a key role in the Walker Singleton team, performing property inspections, valuations, and viewings, and liaising with clients. She draws on her previous experience at an estate agency as well as her studies during her BSc (Hons) Real Estate Development and Management degree apprenticeship.

When she's not absorbed in business property, Lily enjoys walking her two dogs and cooking.

Joined Walker Singleton in September 2021.

Mark Hanson

BSc FRICS

Consultant – Commercial Property

Mark qualified as a Chartered Surveyor in 1982, having first obtained experience in a regional practice during holidays from 1975. He obtained a Bachelor of Science in Urban Land Economics from Sheffield City Polytechnic and was elected a Fellow of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors in 1994.

Mark set up Hanson Chartered Surveyors in 1989 having benefitted from early responsibility with a large commercial regional practice over 8 years. He has worked in the Yorkshire market throughout his professional life and has wide experience locally, regionally and nationally, but with the majority of time being spent in the West Yorkshire conurbation, advising public and private clients on their commercial and industrial property needs from property management, valuation, disposal, acquisition and rent review/lease renewals mainly. In 2018, Hanson Chartered Surveyors merged with Walker Singleton.

Mark is a Governor Emeritus of Greenhead College, as well as a Trustee of various other bodies including The Loyal Georgeans, the precursor to The Halifax Building Society together with Queens Sports Club in Halifax where he has been a lifelong playing member of squash and tennis. Mark has a strong interest in the performing arts, particularly live music of all types where he has been known to participate.

Joined Walker Singleton in June 2018.

Abigail Hanson Hughes

MRICS

Chartered Surveyor and Registered Valuer – Commercial Property

Abigail is a Chartered Surveyor and Registered Valuer in the commercial property division. After gaining a degree in international fashion marketing Abigail began her career in merchandising for Fat Face. Having always had an interest in property she then completed her Masters in Land Economics and Finance and began working as a general practice surveyor and studying for her APC to become Chartered.

Abigail became a Chartered Surveyor and Registered Valuer in 2014. She joined the Walker Singleton team in 2024. She supports our diverse client base with property valuations.

In her spare time Abigail loves to run and spend time with her family.

Joined Walker Singleton in September 2024.

Yasmin Lee

Commercial Property Agent – Commercial Property

Yasmin provides marketing advice to our clients, places properties with suitable tenants or buyers, and manages timescales on deals. Yasmin uses eight years of prior experience working for an estate agency and strong market know-how, negotiation skills, and the ability to understand and respond to client needs.

Outside of work, Yasmin is often literally outside – whether that's exploring the outdoors on a walk or with family. She's also a gym-goer and enjoys eating out.

Joined Walker Singleton in January 2023.

Steve Molloy

FRICS

Consultant – Commercial Property

Steve has over forty years of experience in commercial property. He undertakes secured lending, private valuation and expert witness work for our diverse clients across Yorkshire and Lancashire.

He has significant experience across our property management, agency and receivership departments. This broad experience in dealing with all types of property and assets provides an excellent grounding for valuation work.

In his spare time, Steve keeps fit by walking his dog and running. He's also a real ale and wine enthusiast, as well as a season ticket holder at Leeds United.

Joined Walker Singleton in August 1987.

Hector Nelson

BSc (Hons)

Commercial Agency Surveyor - Commercial Property

Hector joined the Walker Singleton team in 2024. He assists our clients with commercial property sales and lettings as a key member of the commercial agency team.

Prior to joining Walker Singleton, Hector held commercial agency surveyor roles at Kinleigh Folkard & Hayward and BTF Partnership. He completed his degree in real estate at Nottingham Trent University.

When he is not helping clients secure commercial property deals, Hector likes to spend his spare time running, reading and sailing.

Joined Walker Singleton in August 2024.

Fortune Nguwo

Graduate Commercial Surveyor – Commercial Property

Fortune's role is varied – doing everything from performing viewings and carrying out due diligence enquiries to preparing advertisement literature. He also supports measuring and referencing in line with the RICS Code of measuring practice and valuation of properties. Fortune draws on his Property Investment and Finance degree, plus previous experience in fast-paced environments where he's had to swiftly find resolutions.

When he's not at work, Fortune loves watching football, spending time with friends and family, and going to the gym.

Joined Walker Singleton in October 2022.

Henry Smith

Graduate Surveyor – Commercial Property

Henry plays a crucial role in the Walker Singleton’s commercial estate agency team, carrying out property valuations and viewings. He enjoys liaising with our clients to support them with lettings and sales.

Before joining the Walker Singleton’s commercial team, he spent 6 months as a graduate surveyor on the client side. Henry also completed his degree in Economics at Newcastle University.

In his spare time Henry enjoys cricket, cooking and travelling, including solo travelling around Europe.

Joined Walker Singleton in April 2025.

Jack Spencer

MRICS

Associate Director – Commercial Property

Jack has a varied role, carrying out valuations across property types and locations in the North while managing a portfolio of commercial jobs. He also advises on lease renewals and rent reviews – backed by his MRICS accreditation, MSc in Real Estate, and BA (Hons) in Economics.

Outside of work, Jack enjoys reading, golf, squash, and skiing.

Joined Walker Singleton in July 2017.

Pam White

Administrator – Walker Singleton Group

Pam originally worked for Daniel & Hirst for 23 years before joining the Walker Singleton team following the acquisition of Daniel & Hirst in 2022, so she has 25 years of service.

She works across multiple departments in Walker Singleton as a commercial administrator. She supports our clients, partners and wider team members to ensure that all aspects of the commercial property agency run smoothly.

Joined Walker Singleton in October 2022.