Meet the team

Valerie Becks

Valerie Becks

CEO and Founder

Valerie has more than 20 years experience selling properties in the UK, Canada and Portugal. She excels at matching the right property to the right client and is known for her exceptional customer service. She is also an animal lover, which is why cats and dogs often feature on our social media accounts!

Valerie also makes fabulous cakes and used to design and make stunning wedding cakes.  She also enjoys decorative painting and sewing.

Iumie Watanabe Kirkaldy

Iumie Watanabe Kirkaldy

Administration Manager

Iumie (pronounced You-me) is the one that keeps our office running smoothly. If you visit us in person or call us, Iumie will quite likely be the first person you speak to. Iumie speaks Portguese and English.

Iumie has traveled extensively.  She enjoys cooking and makes wonderful Asian and Indian dishes.  Iume is married to Tom and they have a lovely dog named Bear.

Ron Harbron

Ron Harbron

Agent

Ron has been with Spencer Becks since day one. He came to Portugal when he retired at the age of 55. He initially helped Valerie out with viewings and as time went on he became more involved with the business (and he thought he was retired)!! Ron enjoys finding our clients their ideal home and is an expert with virtual viewings.

Ron has 2 children and 8 grandchildren who he adores and enjoys holidays with them. He is an excellent 10 pin bowler, enjoys swimming and is a massive Batman fan, but best of all his passion is touring on his beloved motorbike.

Claude Joseph

Claude Joseph

Agent

Claude joined the team at Spencer Becks a year ago and quickly achieved a good level of success with sales. His background in IT and communications were skills easily transferred to the real estate industry. Claude likes to ensure that his clients are comfortable, reassured and knowledgeable about their home buying decision.

Claude very much enjoys the simple things in life, enjoying a coffee sat in the sunshine or out for dinner with friends. He enjoys his garden and making it a relaxed and comfortable area to sit and enjoy his surroundings. He is also not afraid to turn his hand to a bit of DIY.

Frank de Amaral

Frank de Amaral

Agent

Frank (Francisco) was born in São Miguel Island, Azores. He lived in Canada for most of his life, working within the hospitality industry. Frank met his life partner, Richard, in 1992 and has enjoyed developing interests in travel, cooking, dining out, the arts, photography and their love of dogs. Returning to Portugal in 2014 Frank owned and operated the popular Union Jacs Global Grocers in Sao Martinho do Porto, for 6 years.

Frank’s knowledge of the area and it’s history serves him to great effect as a member of the team at Spencer Becks. Frank is fluent in English and Portuguese, he also has a good grasp of French and Spanish.

Ray & Debra Lehky

Ray & Debra Lehky

Agents

Ray is a Yorkshireman and has a background in Media and Communications. Debra has a medical background where she spent 30+ years as a midwife. Ray and Debra were married in 2010 and in 2011 bought their first home in Portugal, eventually packing their van, leaving the UK and starting a new life on the Silver Coast.

Their backgrounds in communications, relations and media have stood them in good stead as Estate Agents with Spencer Becks. They have been working with our team for almost a year now and have achieved an impressive level of success in a relatively short period of time.

Brian & Sue Warnock

Brian & Sue Warnock

Agents

Brian and Sue both have backgrounds in sales, in the hospitality sector. They lived and worked in North Wales for more than 40 years, before following their dreams and moving to the Silver Coast in 2016. Brian and Sue have built two houses so have a wealth of knowledge in building a home, in Portugal. Combining their work skills with their love and interest in property, they joined the team at Spencer Becks where they have thrived.

Away from the work environment Brian and Sue love body boarding, discovering wonderful river beaches and relaxing over meals out with friends. They enjoy exploring much of Portugal on foot during their many walking adventures. Sue is an enthusiastic masters swimmer and swims competitively for the Obidos swim team

Lee Head & Gabriela Cunha

Lee Head & Gabriela Cunha

Agents

Lee moved to the Central Inner region of Portugal in 2019 after a successful career in the financial services sector where his career included running a successful Mortgage Brokerage. He enjoys property development and in 2016 featured on Channel 4’s Restoration Man where he converted a Victoria Railway Station to his home, so lots of good ideas and suggestions likely for those of you looking for a renovation. Gabriela grew up in Coimbra and is an excellent salesperson. She returned to her family roots in 2018 living in the beautiful mountain village of Vinhó. Gabriela has a keen interest in interior design. Both share a love of the outdoors and animals.

Gabriela speaks Portuguese, English and some French.

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