125 Years Director Spotlight
Katie Hurley
From microscopes to mud-splattered maps, Katie Hurley’s path to the rural property world started with a Biology degree from the University of Edinburgh, followed by a Master’s at the Royal Agricultural University in Cirencester.
While she left the lab behind, she kept her curious mind and love for the great outdoors which is just as well, because April on the family farm means one thing: lambing season! (Katie affectionately refers to it as her “holiday”… and yes, it’s every bit as glamorous as it sounds.)
Katie lives on her family’s mixed farm in East Kent, complete with a beef suckler herd, a sheep flock, and arable land so she’s no stranger to early mornings, wellies, or the satisfying chaos of rural life. But it’s not all fieldwork and feed runs; Katie also has a competitive edge. When she’s not working, you might find her on the tennis court, walking the dogs, or paddling along the local waterways with a kayak and a good sense of balance.
Her Lambert & Foster story started in 2009 with a summer work experience placement, just before heading off to Cirencester. By 2010, she’d joined the rural professional team full-time and 15 years later, she’s still here, bringing calm, clarity, and a wicked sense of humour to the role.
Over the years, Katie’s seen a lot change.
“During my time at L&F, the Rural Professional & Agency team has grown significantly,” she says. “It’s been a great experience to work with and mentor graduates through their APC to achieving MRICS status, and to see their progression within the firm. Watching people develop their careers and confidence has been a real highlight.”
Day-to-day, Katie focuses on rural valuations which are diverse, complex, and never dull. While she’s not usually the one in the headlines, her work helps clients take the next step, make decisions, and move forward with confidence. That’s part of what she loves about L&F: the collaborative, solutions-first approach and the strength that comes from different teams working together.
She’s particularly proud of the long-term relationships L&F has built over its 125-year history. “It’s not unusual for clients to mention that their parents, or even grandparents, worked with someone from L&F. That kind of continuity is rare, and really special.”
And although the firm has grown and adapted with the times, Katie’s quick to point out that it’s never lost its core values.