
Chris Birds
Partner & Chartered Valuation Surveyor
How can I help?
I am an Equity Partner in Boxall Brown & Jones and BB&J Commercial and share overall responsibility for the day to day running of the company, which includes the residential sales and lettings sections of the business. As a Chartered Surveyor, I have many years’ experience in all areas of the residential property sales and management. I am also an Equity Director of Burton Upon Trent based Commercial Property Surveyors Rushton Hickman Ltd.
Experience
I have worked within the Derby property market since I left school, working for several high-profile firms of Estate Agents and Chartered Surveyors. After completing my A levels, I went on to study a degree in Estate Surveying before going on to become a Chartered Surveyor. I am a Registered Valuer/member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), Association of Residential Letting Agents (ARLA) and a Fellow of the National Association of Estate Agents (NAEA); organisations with which I am actively involved at both local and national level.
Having been the Chairman of the Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire branch of the NAEA for many years and serving on national committees, I was awarded a distinguished service honour in 2009.
I have been voted as one of the top 250 inspiring businesspeople in Derbyshire and I am proud to serve the community as a Presiding Magistrate in the Southern Derbyshire Criminal Courts.
I became the Deputy Under Sheriff of Derbyshire in 2024. In this role I support the High Sheriff of Derbyshire who is appointed by His Majesty the King to represent him in matters relating to the judiciary and the maintenance of law and order in the county.
In August 2025, I was selected by the Judicial Appointments Commission (JAC) to become a Valuer Member of the First Tier Tribunal. (Property Chamber). In this judicial role, I preside over a wide range of property disputes in the United Kingdom, with specific focus on the Midlands.
I am honoured to serve as a Trustee of Foundation Derbyshire, which is a brilliant Derbyshire charity managing donated funds and effectively distributing grants to the county’s grassroot charities/community groups. I am also a Trustee of The Arkwright Society which is focussed on the preservation of Sir Richard Arkwright’s historic mills in Cromford, Derbyshire.
How long have you been part of the team?
I joined Boxall Brown & Jones in 2001 and became a partner in 2005.
Fun Fact
I have climbed to Everest Base Camp raising over £18,000 for the British Heart Foundation, ran the London Marathon and competed in the Great North Run on five occasions. I am a keen sailor and qualified RYA day skipper.
I live in Allestree with my wife and two daughters.