About us

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.

Lucy Batten

Consultant Solicitor

Lucy is an experienced solicitor with technical expertise in all aspects of equity release. She has over 9 years’ post qualification experience and has imparted her knowledge and wisdom in numerous podcasts, webinars and guest speaker events.

Lucy works collaboratively with Tivoli Legal for clients purchasing their homes using equity release funding.

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

Senior Associate 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.

Lucie Archer

Administrative Executive

Lucie has had an exceptional career to date.

Lucie was an international hockey player for Wales whilst qualifying as a primary school teacher, she then went on to become a firefighter before setting up Hockey Fever and more recently joining the Tivoli Legal team.

Lucie is the epitome of a team player, having operated in literally life and death situations she can be depended on for clear consistent communication, working with you towards your desired objective.

Melissa Duggan

Consultant Solicitor

Melissa is dual qualified. She qualified as a barrister in 2003 and as a solicitor in 2006 initially specialising in criminal defence work. Her work in this high-pressure field honed her skills in meticulous attention to detail and client-focused advocacy, allowing her to approach every case with care and precision.

In 2009, Melissa took a career break to raise her three children while living abroad in Bali. During this time, she established her own successful business and volunteered at a Justice & Rights Non-Profit Organisation providing legal advice and guidance on best practice.

Melissa returned to her legal career with a renewed passion and commitment in 2019 specialising in equity release and conveyancing, areas of law that allow her to combine her legal expertise with her compassionate nature.

Melissa firmly believes in providing a client-centric experience, where her clients’ needs and interests are paramount. She delivers sound legal advice and clear guidance while ensuring that her clients feel supported and valued throughout their legal journey.

Melissa’s unique blend of legal knowledge, meticulousness, and empathetic approach sets her apart in her field. Her clients can trust that she will go above and beyond to achieve the best possible outcomes for them.

Sarah Barter

Administrative Executive

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.