About Us

We were established in 1991 and have since grown to be the largest specialist firm of its type in the UK.
We have a strong work ethic and strive to provide our clients with a high standard of personal service – not something readily available in large, multi-disciplinary firms with hundreds of staff spread over many offices.

As we have been involved in our own Sporting and Professional businesses since 1972, we are uniquely able to offer advice that is practical and not just theoretical – a very rare commodity in this day and age. We literally have been there and done that; sometimes successfully, sometimes less so. Our clients are therefore able to use the benefit of our experience.

We work for a significant number of clients in the private sector who feel comfortable working with a small firm able to deliver a high quality personal service.

MEET THE TEAM

Mark Osborne

FRICS, FAAV, MAE

Mark Osborne is founder and Managing Director of JM Osborne Rural & Sporting and has been a qualified Chartered Surveyor and Land Agent for over 40 years. He trained on two large traditional landed Estates (Chatsworth and Castle Ashby), before becoming a Partner in a well respected regional firm.

Mark is a Fellow of The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, a Fellow of the Central Association of Agricultural Valuers and a Member of the Academy of Expert Witnesses. He undertakes a significant amount of Expert Witness work, including Court appearances.

Since 1988 he has been involved in the setting up and running of several leisure and sporting businesses including the EJ Churchill Group, a squash, health and leisure club, hotel, public house and more recently the acquisition and development of William Powell and William Powell Sporting Limited.

In 2014, he was appointed acting Chief Executive of the Castle Howard Estate in Yorkshire to oversee certain changes to that historic Estate and to help make plans for it going forwards.

His main interests are complex Rural Professional and Sporting related work.

CONTACT Mark

Will Southall

BA (Hons), MSc

Will was brought up on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales and, from an early age, has had a passion for the rural environment and country sports. He obtained a Bachelors from Newcastle University and a Masters Degree in Rural Estate and Land Management at Harper Adams University. Having worked for the business since 2014, Will became a Director in April 2020.

With a keen eye for detail, Will is responsible for the management and delivery of a wide range of professional and Estate management projects. He has a detailed understanding of Estate management systems and has experience of delivering complex projects within strict timescales, and budget allocations. His client base ranges from the south coast to the Highlands of Scotland and on a day to day basis Will is involved in dealing with a wide range of stakeholders including Estate and property owners, employees and Government organisations. Will invests time in getting to know the people as well as the project, which helps him build a holistic picture of each individual client’s needs, preferences and long term desires.

Will also manages the development of William Powell Sporting, a unique Sporting Agency, offering exclusive sporting opportunities worldwide.

Outside of the office, Will can often be found trying to perfect his fly fishing technique whilst willing Middlesbrough FC to three points.

CONTACT Will

Michael Bray

FRICS

A Fellow and fully qualified Chartered Surveyor and Registered Valuer, Michael has worked in the property market for nearly 40 years.

Particularly experienced with private clients at the high end of the market, the farming community, land owner and corporate clients. Michael can draw upon a wealth of experience to offer advice on all property matters. One of the last old fashioned multi-disciplined Chartered Surveyors.

A past Chairman of the Surrey branch of the Incorporated Society of Valuers and Auctioneers and Vice Chairman of the Surrey branch of the RICS. Michael enjoys valuation and complex negotiation work.

If not at the office or with clients, Michael will be found training his gun dogs.

CONTACT Michael

Stephen Whale

B.Soc.Sc, Dip.Law, Barrister (Gray’s Inn)

Stephen Whale is a highly-experienced Barrister, with more than 20 years’ experience advising and representing rural landowners.

Stephen has a Bachelor’s Joint Honours Degree in Economics & Politics from the University of Birmingham. He taught Economics for four years, before completing his legal qualifications at the College of Law (York) and the Inns of Court School of Law (London). Stephen is a Barrister at Landmark Chambers in London. Since 2020, he has also been a board Member of South Downs National Park Authority (appointed by the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs). For thirteen years, Stephen was on the Attorney General’s Panel of Counsel (including five years on the A Panel). He belongs to the Agricultural Law Association as well as the Planning & Environment Bar Association. Stephen became a Consultant at J M Osborne Rural & Sporting Limited in 2025.

Stephen’s expertise covers a wide range of rural land issues, including: planning (certificates of lawfulness, enforcement, isolated homes of exceptional quality design, permitted development rights, prior approval etc); habitats regulations; SSSI consents; forestry and felling licences; rights of way; rights of common; village greens; sporting rights. Stephen has vast experience engaging with Government departments, Government agencies and local authorities (including Councils, Defra, Natural England, Forestry Commission, Forestry and Land Scotland and National Park Authorities).

Stephen was brought up in Yorkshire. He now divides his home life between Hampshire and the Scottish Highlands. Outside work and family, Stephen particularly enjoys shooting, golf and cricket.

CONTACT Stephen

"Osborne’s ability to choose and motivate the right people is key to his success as the country’s foremost sporting advisor"

Lord James Percy

★★★★★ 5/ 5 stars