When Bob Duffield sold his beloved home on Cleeve Hill, it wasn’t just about bricks and mortar — it was about family, timing and trust. And at the heart of the move was Brigitte Althorp-Gormlay, founder of Cheltenham-based estate agency, Althorp & Co.
A former BBC investigative journalist, Bob’s career has been anything but ordinary. From uncovering wrongful convictions to launching cyber-investigation firms, truth and precision have long been his business.
So when it came time to sell his family's abode – a striking property with sweeping views over Cheltenham – he knew he needed someone with similar integrity and drive.
In your words, Bob, what made the property special? What prompted you to sell it?
We bought the house on Cleeve Hill at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, in 2020, and it's got the most incredible views – it was actually one of the original houses on the hill.
I also just love being in Cheltenham. I never thought I'd ever leave London as I was so attached to it, but I met my wife, who's from Cheltenham and we moved together. It's been a great place for us, the kids are going to great schools and it's a lovely place to be.
The move came about when we needed to ensure our son was in the catchment area for Balcarras School. It was also a tough time for us personally as well, as my wife was unwell.
How did you first hear about Brigitte and Althorp & Co?
Brigitte had previously sold our home on Sydenham Villas Road. That was a lovely Cheltenham house too, but there was no off-street parking and with two young children, it just wasn't working.
Selling that home with Brigitte was a great experience, so we knew exactly who to call when it came time to sell again.
With higher-end properties, you can often feel like you're dealing with a slick corporate machine, but Brigitte isn't like that. She's in the thick of it, genuinely invested and completely hands-on. That's what makes her unique.
How did Althorp & Co guide you through the process?
The team didn't just list the house, they project-managed the entire process.
Brigitte came in like a whirlwind and knew exactly what needed doing to get the property market ready.
From sprucing up the interiors to blitzing the garden, she organised everything using her network of contractors – painters, tradespeople, styling teams and drone photographers – so the house looked camera-ready in no time.
Brigitte often coins herself the 'personal assistant to selling your home'. Would you say your experience with her aligned with this?
Absolutely. I had two children to manage, my wife was awaiting an operation and I was juggling my businesses, and Brigitte and her team went above and beyond to take care of us.
They guided us through the conveyancing process and helped us with all the paperwork. They even helped us find and move into a rental home in Charlton Kings, making it turnkey ready for our family.
Without their help, I honestly don't know how we would've done it.
Were there any unexpected challenges? How were they overcome?
The house is grand and characterful, but it did need decluttering and staging, which felt overwhelming given our personal circumstances.
Althorp & Co took all of that on. Brigitte just made it happen. Her empathy and organisation were game-changers.
Looking back over the experience with Althorp & Co, what's one thing that stood out?
I trusted Brigitte and her team to get this right – and they did. A cash buyer was found within a week and the sale was completed in six weeks. That’s pretty remarkable.
Brigitte and her team worked hard, knew exactly who to call and
moved quickly. Her network and instinct for matching the right buyer to the right home are invaluable.
So it's safe to say you'd recommend Althorp & Co to others?
Yes, without hesitation. Brigitte's personal approach, her dedication and her ability to really understand what people need during a time as stressful as selling a home, set her apart.
She goes far beyond what most agents would normally do.
For more information on how Althorp & Co can help you on your property journey, visit althorps.co.uk or contact Brigitte Althorp-Gormlay directly via phone on 01242 781781 or email via hello@althorps.co.uk.
