Meet property power couple who have passion for people

WHEN Phil Booth knocked on the door of a home in Albert Road, Henley, in 2011, he had no idea he’d be walking into the next chapter of his life.

Emma Vanstone, then a single mother with a four-year-old daughter and a high-flying marketing career behind her, had put her house on the market and Phil had come to value it.

“He looked very dashing,” Emma recalls with a smile. What began as a property viewing quickly became a love story — one that would soon evolve into a successful business partnership rooted in the heart of Henley.

Philip Booth Esq, the boutique estate agency they now run together, is more than just a property business. It’s a reflection of the couple’s shared values: integrity, community, loyalty and care.

Established in 2014, the same year that the couple married at Phyllis Court, the company has quietly earned a reputation for being one of the most respected independent estate agencies in Henley and Marlow, specialising in beautiful homes across Oxfordshire, Berkshire and Buckinghamshire.

Phil, who grew up in Henley and attended Gillotts School and The Henley College, started his career in 1988 as a trainee with Simmons and Lawrence in Wargrave. He rose through the ranks, eventually managing their Henley branch before moving to London to work with Christie and Co, specialists in licensed premises.

A return to Henley followed, this time with Simmons and Sons, where he managed the office. With more than 36 years of experience in property and more than 40 years living in Henley, he has an encyclopaedic knowledge of homes and street histories.

Clients are often astonished at how Phil can recall exactly who lived where, when they bought, what they paid and how the market has shifted since — a useful skill in negotiations.

Emma, by contrast, came to the property world through a very different path. A seasoned executive with 29 years in international marketing, contract management and leadership roles, she was used to boardrooms, big contracts and frequent transatlantic travel — not property sales. Her career included senior positions in global enterprises and start-ups, particularly within the tech, service and public sectors.

When the shifting sands of post-covid business life saw her return to the UK full-time, she initially had no plans to join Phil in his growing business. But, as lockdown lifted and the property market surged with Londoners seeking green space and home offices, she offered to help.

For six months she worked without pay, quickly discovering a flair for the work and an admiration for her husband’s steady presence and intuitive client care. “I learnt from Phil how to be the best at this job,” she says. “It’s incredible to watch him at work.”

Today, she is full-time director and co-owner, bringing her marketing expertise and commercial acumen to the agency’s operations while remaining firmly hands-on with every client.

They are joined by senior negotiator George Brind, who came on board in May 2022 with 14 years of experience and is, according to Emma, “a rock of humour, trust and professionalism”.

Every client is treated as a person, not a transaction. “We’ve been through divorce, downsizing, grief and joy ourselves,” says Emma.

“We understand that a house sale is never just bricks and mortar — it’s part of a life transition.

“We’re there through the whole process and often become genuine friends with our clients.”

Emma is known to go the extra mile. She has personally decluttered homes, gardens, cleaned, staged rooms and rearranged furniture to maximise a property’s appeal. “If it needs doing, we’ll do it,” she says. “We’re not the kind of agents who slap on a price tag and cross our fingers. If something isn’t selling, we solve the problem rather than cut the price.”

It’s an approach that has seen them weather the storm of market volatility, from the mini-budget aftershocks of the Liz Truss government to broader economic uncertainty.

Despite it all, the agency has continued to grow year-on-year, prioritising quality over volume. Their typical listings hover in the £1m to £2m price range, occasionally reaching £2.5m, and they charge a flat one per cent plus VAT fee across the board. “We’re fair,” says Phil, “Otherwise, we’d lose credibility.”

Their business isn’t just about property. The couple are deeply invested in the community.

Emma is a director of the Henley Business Partnership, a vocal advocate for small local retailers and sustainability, and a regular at Greener Henley initiatives. The company is a sponsor of Henley Women’s Regatta, having in June committed to a three-year partnership ahead of its landmark 40th anniversary in 2028.

The initiative includes a social media and advertising showcase, along with the HWRecommends discount scheme spotlighting local businesses such as Pavilion Foods and the Regal Picturehouse.

The firm also sponsors Henley Festival and the Living Advent Calendar, support Ecologi.com, to offset its carbon footprint, and is active in campaigns against river pollution. Phil is a trustee of Henley Community Hub, helping to re-establish Trinity Hall.

Their work is 24/7 and Emma admits they haven’t yet struck the ideal work-life balance. “We live and breathe it,” she says.

“But we do hope to bring someone else on board to ease the load and let us smell the roses a little more.” At home, they live with Emma’s daughter Bella, now 18, and two miniature Schnauzers, while Phil enjoys golf and has recently taken up pickleball. Emma winds down by the river at Phyllis Court.

They may not have big corporate targets to chase but their standards are sky-high. “Our reputation is sacrosanct,” says Emma. “We’re not going to compromise on service just to grow for growth’s sake.”

As for the future? Emma is optimistic. “Autumn should bring more stability to the market,” she says. “We’re seeing fewer speculative buyers and, with mortgage rates easing, more realistic movement is on the horizon.

“Offers are coming in around eight to 10 per cent below asking price, which is more manageable than the 20 to 30 per cent seen elsewhere.”

Emma’s advice for buyers? “Buy with joy. Forget the spreadsheets for a moment. If it feels like home, it probably is.”