Who We Are | Leading Estates of the World

Robert H. and Pamela Kelsey

Robert and Pamela Kelsey published their first luxury real estate magazine in 1969, and developed what became the preeminent group of professional real estate brokers specializing in the marketing and sale of the world’s most extraordinary estates, The Estates Club, and its flagship magazine, Leading Estates of the World. This international marketing forum is devoted to luxury life at its best, as it presents the world’s newest and greatest estate offerings to an extremely discerning and sophisticated clientele.

Chris Webster

Chris Webster founded Christopher Webster Real Estate in 1976 on the historic Plaza in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Chris, through his firm, subsequently became the exclusive affiliate of The Estates Club | Leading Estates of the World and Sotheby’s International Realty in New Mexico. In addition, Chris served on Sotheby’s International Realty’s Advisory Board for 15 years aiding their growth and development nationally and internationally. As its first ever acquisition of an affiliate company worldwide, Sotheby’s acquired Chris’ Santa Fe firm in 1998. A specialist in Santa Fe and northern New Mexico estate, ranch, and commercial properties, as well as historic haciendas and coastal estates in Mexico, and distinctive residential and resort properties in Hawai’i and western Europe, Chris has represented and sold many exclusive and extraordinary properties within the Leading Estates of the World and Sotheby’s International Realty networks.

Chris became a member of local, state, and national chapters of the National Association of Realtors in 1976, the International Real Estate Federation (FIABCI) in 1982, and the Urban Land Institute (ULI) in 2005, serving on ULI’s Recreational Development Council. Additionally, Chris’ extensive background in real estate includes appraisal, investment analysis, marketing, finance, development, and consulting. Chris was among the original team that conceived and implemented the Historic Real Estate Program for the National Trust for Historic Preservation in the late 1980s, and in 2005, became a managing partner of SYNTHESIS REALTY GROUP, a company coordinating and directing development, marketing, and sales activities of the world’s most exclusive residential and resort communities in its position as owners’ rep/co-developer. In March 2015, Chris and colleague, Owen Gwyn, acquired The Estates Club / Leading Estates of the World after 30+ years of shared brokerage involvement and collaboration. Chris is a graduate of The Episcopal High School in Virginia and Duke University in North Carolina, and has received numerous professional real estate and appraisal industry designations throughout his career. Chris and Patti Webster have three children and live in Santa Fe, New Mexico and Kealakekua, Hawai’i.

+1 (505) 780-9500 chris@leadingestates.com

Owen Gwyn

Owen Gwyn has served the global real estate community since 1975. Art is indeed a skill acquired by experience, and his broad based experience includes service as World President of The International Real Estate Federation. Founded in Paris in 1948, this prestigious real estate network boasts members from over sixty countries, and provides international contacts from within all real property sectors. The federation is the champion of private property rights within the United Nations. A multi-state broker, and a native of North Carolina, he has serviced transactions as diverse as the rich land from which they spring. Ours is a land so rich in natural beauty that our state’s Constitution mandates us to "conserve and protect all lands and water and... to preserve as a part of the common heritage... its forests, wetlands, estuaries, beaches, historical sites, open lands, and places of beauty." Owen’s pro-activism in this regard led him to become a Charter Member of the National Trust for Historic Preservation Real Estate Program as a Certified Historic Property Specialist. The National Trust is the leader of America’s historic preservation movement in the private sector and was chartered by the U.S. Congress in 1949.

Owen joined The Estates Club over twenty-five years ago, and found great success utilizing Leading Estates of the World magazine. This success led him to embrace the Estates Club to the point of becoming its co-owner/publisher. His appreciation of the diverse cultures among our global partners explains his belief that experience is achieved in the global classroom. Possessing the ability to successfully articulate this extraordinary value proposition, he was awarded the International Property Consultant designation from the International Real Estate Federation, and additionally, his accreditation as a Certified International Property Specialist from the National Association of Realtors furthered his expertise, enabling him to provide a full spectrum of real estate consulting, assistance and support. Given his experience and love of the Great North State, it is not surprising that Owen served as a Founding Member of the State of North Carolina Travel and Tourism Board. Since 1975, he has served on the Board of Directors of The Flagler System, Inc. comprising The Breakers Hotel, One & Two North Breakers Row, Breakers West and Flagler Holdings of North Carolina. Additional real estate ventures include board positions with GEOCORP, North Carolina Estates, Carolina Cymru, LLC and Dovefield, LLC. When asked about his interest in real property, he replied, "I have always held on to the belief that property rights are the key to successful development, and that successful development is the trigger for economic prosperity."

+1 (919) 906-1551 owen@leadingestates.com