About us
Ailsa Hesketh
Founder & Managing Partner
With over 25 years of experience as a qualified solicitor, Ailsa founded Tivoli Legal with a mission to elevate the standard of legal services in the equity release industry. Recognising that a lack of expertise can lead to problems like late identification of issues, insufficient documentation for lenders, and complications arising from unique situations, Ailsa is dedicated to preventing the stress and potential offer rejections that clients can encounter. At Tivoli Legal, we’re committed to transforming the client experience by delivering exceptional, efficient, and high-quality services in a professional, friendly and empathetic manner.
Our mission
At the heart of our mission lies the commitment to deliver a smooth and stress-free legal process for homeowners. We uphold rigorous standards and prioritise our clients’ needs in every aspect of our work. Additionally, we strive to offer our financial adviser partners the flexibility they require, ensuring a collaborative approach that suits their requirements.
We communicate simply and proactively
We prioritise clear and proactive communication. We keep you up to date, ensuring you’re always informed of your case’s progress. And our commitment extends to making legal language easy to understand and simplifying complex issues.
We are transparent
We openly convey what is possible and what isn’t, offering our expert advice candidly. We aim to provide a comprehensive breakdown of costs upfront to prevent unexpected surprises down the track.
We strive for excellence
Throughout the process, you’ll have a dedicated solicitor, serving as your single point of contact. They’ll be readily available to guide you, address your queries, and ensure you’re well informed and supported at every step.
Meet the team
We’re a dedicated and friendly team of equity release specialist solicitors and experienced support staff. Our offices are conveniently located in Cheltenham and we have a team of mobile solicitors offering home visits across England and Wales.
Ailsa Hesketh
Founder & Managing Partner
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Kelsey Tomlinson
TECHNICAL DIRECTOR (SOLICITOR)
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Caroline Chambers
Consultant Solicitor
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Sara Day
Head of Accounts
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Sophie Wade
Solicitor Apprentice to Ailsa
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Sarah Barter
PARALEGAL
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Claire Greenslade
Engagement and Wellbeing
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Debra Watts
Administration Executive
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Kaley Weedon
Administration Executive
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Ailsa Hesketh
Founder & Managing Partner
Ailsa has been a qualified solicitor for almost 25 years. During her career she has developed a broad set of skills including litigating high value claims, the operational leadership of technical lawyers and client relationship management as a partner in a Top 25 firm.
Ailsa’s teams have been entrusted by corporate clients such as Severn Trent, Veolia Waste and Thomas Cook to deliver an outstanding experience to their client whilst embracing corporate brand values achieving consistent and efficient resolutions.
Ailsa brought her skills to equity release in 2016 as a legal operations director. Ailsa is an experienced Lean Six Sigma practitioner committed to delivering exceptional client experiences and promoting industry best practice, as demonstrated by her instrumental role in the re-engineering of the Covid 19 legal process.
“Do you know the one thing that stands out for me about working here is I don’t get the Sunday scaries. I don’t get to Sunday thinking, oh no! I’ve got to go to work tomorrow…. that’s nice”
– Sara Day
Sara Day
Head of Accounts
Sara joins our team with 18 years legal accounts experience with more than 9 years gained in the equity release sector. She is a team player with a pro-active approach and shares a passion for delivering an outstanding customer experience with our brilliant team.
Sara is excited by the advanced technology used at Tivoli Legal and recognises the positive impact it has on our clients. Her friendly and bubbly approach fits perfectly with our Company ethos and values.
Claire Greenslade
ENAGAGEMENT & WELLBEING LEAD
As an experienced HR professional, Claire is an employee advocate who, is dedicated to enhancing the employee experience, and creating a work culture where our people can flourish.
Claire is focused on hiring the very best talent, as well as engaging, supporting and motivating our team members to realise their full potential.
Claire’s wealth of experience in shaping positive cultures, coupled with a natural empathy, aligns with our vision to be an employer of choice, where our employees feel valued.
Kelsey Tomlinson
TECHNICAL DIRECTOR (SOLICITOR)
Kelsey has over 8 years of experience working on equity release cases and qualified as a solicitor, whilst working, in 2021. Kelsey is our technical lead solicitor and has developed expert technical knowledge in the field, having assisted many clients with completing their matters and achieving their goals.
Kelsey shares Ailsa’s passion to deliver an outstanding client journey and is committed to being involved in every matter that Tivoli Legal handles: so, you can be assured that from the most straightforward of transactions to the most complex your transaction will be in good hands. She enjoys problem solving on the more difficult cases, sharing her knowledge with her team and is passionate about ensuring we deliver a first class service to our clients.
Kelsey is experienced in all aspects of equity release across all products from all lenders, so there isn’t much that has not crossed her path and she loves solving problems where property titles might be a little complex.
Kelsey enjoys training and development of both our teams and educating financial advisers on the equity release legal process.
Sarah Barter
PARALEGAL
Sarah graduated with a degree in biomedical sciences and has worked in the medical industry with household names such as Johnson & Johnson.
Sarah has a passion for sport and fitness, having completed the London Marathon on multiple occasions raising funds for cancer charities and MIND.
Sarah joins Tivoli Legal bringing her broad skill set and a commitment to providing the very best in client service. Sarah’s fantastic ability to retain information, superb eye for detail is coupled with a warm and friendly communication style.
Caroline Chambers
Consultant Solicitor
Caroline is a qualified barrister, solicitor (since 1994) and family mediator. She formerly specialised in private family law matters including divorce, finance and children law cases.
Over the years she has acquired experience of working in high pressure environments : working both as part of a team and managing a department alongside running her own caseload. As an equity partner she has assisted in company and management restructuring.
After the birth of her son, Caroline took a career break during which she pursued her interest in the impact of lifestyle and nutrition on health and the ageing process. This led to her qualifying as a nutritional therapist.
Since 2016 she has worked as a consultant solicitor within the equity release sector. She endeavours at all times to provide clients with clear advice given in plain, accessible language. Her commitment to delivering exceptional service means she goes the extra mile to ensure her clients receive the utmost care and support.
Sophie Wade
Solicitor Apprentice to ailsa Hesketh
Sophie joins us with over 6 years experience working in both the Equity Release and Conveyancing sector. She brings a wealth of practical knowledge and a client-focused approach to every transaction. She is passionate about making the process as smooth and stress-free as possible, ensuring that clients are kept informed and supported at every stage
Sophie is working towards her solicitors’ qualification with the SQE Level 7 Apprenticeship.
When not at work, you can find Sophie spending time with her family and friends, and planning her upcoming wedding.
Debra Watts
administration executive
Debra is an experienced property operations executive professional with a strong background in client service, sales support, and executive administration within regulated real estate environments. Debra has conveyancing experience from Bovis Homes and property sales and marketing experience from Savills Estate Agent. Debra brings proactive, client-focused operational efficiency management to help support business growth. In her spare time, Debra enjoys The Arts, plays Flugelhorn and often travels to sailing events and competitions to support her daughters.
“I just wanted to let you know what a wonderful asset to your team you have in Kaley. She’s been there every step of the way in our Equity Release… She’s answered the most mundane and silly questions and has been so very supportive in this process. I’ve spoken to her a couple of times on the phone, and she always sounds as if she’s smiling and has such a happy demeanour! It’s very easy for people to complain but don’t always take time to give praise where it’s due… Kaley deserves a big pat on the back! Thank you to the team for helping us through this process as well. It’s been a pleasure.”
– Regards, Maxine Gilbert
Kaley Weedon
administration executive
Kaley comes to us from the United States with 6 years of experience in the Home Mortgage and Title Insurance Industries.
This experience comes from working for companies such as First Hallmark Mortgage, Constitution Bank, and HomeSale Settlement Services, a branch of Berkshire Hathaway.
With years of customer service experience and knowledge from similar fields, Kaley is prepared to help our customers through every transaction.
When Kaley is not working, she likes to go for walks with her dogs, exercise and travel around the UK.
Kaley is one of our Administration Executives right at the coal face of Client onboarding through to completion. She is indeed an asset to Tivoli’s team.