Meet the Team

Eric is the founder of Hobbs Estates Ltd. He set up the company alongside his late wife Margaret. Whilst now officially retired, he likes to keep himself well abreast with business affairs and has a wealth of experience that we are fortunate to still be able to draw upon from time to time. Eric enjoys looking after his garden and going for coffee at various venues across Essex. If visiting Earls Colne Business Park you are likely to see him out and about on his golf buggy.

Malcolm is Managing Director of Hobbs Estates Ltd and has been working for the company since he left college in 1979. He is the main point of contact for prospective and existing tenants as well as new investment or development opportunities. He is a very keen tennis player and fan. He represents “The Essex” Tennis Club in the local leagues and is heavily involved in Essex Tennis. You may also occasionally find him at Portman Road on matchdays following Ipswich Town with Ben.[email protected]

Sally has been involved in the business her whole life and played a particularly important role in running The Earls Colne Golf and Country Club (now The Essex) during the time it was operated by the business. Her role now involves designing the interior fitouts across the portfolio. Sally enjoys spending her spare time with her eight grandchildren, taking Eric out for coffee, long dog walks and practicing both yoga and pilates.

Ben joined the business in the summer of 2021. He is a qualified Chartered Surveyor with over 8 years industry experience, having previously worked in Land and Planning for two Essex based developers. Ben is responsible for overseeing new and existing planning work, analysing potential new development and investment opportunities and generally assisting in the management of the portfolio. In his spare time Ben enjoys playing golf, football, various outdoor pursuits and going on long walks with Olive and his wife.[email protected]

Lisa, who has been a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales since 1993, has been with Hobbs Estates for 21 years. Lisa is responsible for all matters financial across the whole business, from general day-to-day operations and tenant liaison to more strategic and long-term decision making. Together with her daughter Isobel, Lisa spends much of her free time attending and competing at dog shows, both home and abroad, mostly now in breed showing and obedience, and is a Crufts regular![email protected]

Mark joined the company over 40 years ago, straight after finishing school. His role has varied greatly over the years having started as a farm hand to now being responsible for the upkeep and management of our office buildings Connexions 159 and 2 St John’s Street. He also oversees the smooth running of our on-site treatment plant at ECBP, still likes a day on the digger now and then and is the key liaison officer for various businesses based at ECBP. Mark enjoys spending his spare time in the great outdoors, playing golf and walking with his family and dogs; on the North Norfolk coast in particular.[email protected]

Bob has been with the company for over 40 years, ever since he left school. Having started work whilst we were a farming enterprise, Bob is now responsible for the upkeep and management of the Rural Business Centre at ECBP, our industrial / office units at Queenborough Lane and is our project manager on most new developments that we are involved in. Bob enjoys keeping himself fit and healthy at the gym and also going hiking.[email protected]

Tom has been with the business for over 8 years. He previously worked as a greenkeeper and used to construct bowling alleys across the country. Tom is responsible for the general upkeep of ECBP and our office buildings Connexions 159 and 2 St John’s Street. His role also includes the maintenance of the company machinery, including mowers, diggers and tractors that we use to undertake works at ECBP. Outside of work you may find Tom at the London Stadium supporting West Ham United or either riding or working on his motorbike.

Oliver joined the business in September 2021, having previously worked for one of the UK’s premiere engineering and construction companies for over 15 years. He brings with him a wealth of experience in project management, civil engineering, contract management and health and safety procedures. Oliver is a keen cricketer who has for many years played for Coggeshall Cricket Club. He also enjoys playing football, shooting and spending time outdoors with his wife and three sons.[email protected]

Olive helps provide some light relief around the estate office at ECBP. Olive is a 2 year old fox red Labrador and is very kind natured, although she does have a tendency to bark at strangers - it appears she is determined to become head of security!