RICS Matrics Young Surveyor of the Year Awards 2018: Our apprentice and alumni nominees in focus
Posted on: 28 November, 2018
At the end of September, we learnt that 11 of our apprentices and alumni had been nominated in various categories for the RICS Matrics Young Surveyor of the Year Awards 2018.
Ahead of the big evening this Friday (30 November), we spoke to several nominees to learn more about their nomination and how they feel about it…
Aaran Pearson from Ferryhill in County Durham is a Degree Apprentice Quantity Surveyor at Faithful+Gould. Aaran is one of six UCEM apprentices nominated in the Apprentice of the Year category at the awards and is on our Chartered Surveyor – Quantity Surveying apprenticeship.
Why do you think you were nominated?
I think I was nominated because I have received some excellent client feedback which has highlighted the quality of work and service I have provided, as well as recognising areas in which I have gone above and beyond what was asked of me. I think this work has significantly improved the workplace and the efficiency of the staff within it.
Additionally, I think my work with Generation 4 Change promoting the industry (and the young professionals in it) in the Tees Valley region has attracted the attention from senior leaders within the business who recognise the importance of what we represent.
How does it feel to be on the shortlist?
It feels fantastic. To be shortlisted for such an award is an achievement in itself that I am very proud of. I am very much looking forward to the awards evening and think it will be a fantastic event!
What would it mean to you to win?
To win such an award in the early stage of my career would be a massive achievement. I would be very thankful for both the award and the opportunities I have seized along the way. I think it would boost my confidence and motivate me further to continue to go above and beyond client expectation to provide an outstanding service.
Fellow Chartered Surveyor – Quantity Surveying apprentice, Charlotte Hatt, is also in the mix for the Apprentice of the Year prize. The Southampton native is a Trainee Quantity Surveyor at AECOM.
How did your nomination come about?
I was nominated by my line manager and mentor Donné – thank you Donné!
Why do you think you were nominated?
What a question! I like to think I was nominated because I’ve been trying to work as hard as I can in my university work, day-to-day work and outside work! I’m really proud of the academic results I have achieved thus far with UCEM and I hope to continue this through to the end of my apprenticeship.
I am also passionate about making a different in the environments I operate in. I am the student rep for my course and am delighted to have the opportunity to represent my fellow students and do what I can to help improve the experiences of future students. I am also a member of the engagement team in my office – organising charity events to help the local community and striving to improve the working environment for my colleagues and I.
How does it feel to be on the shortlist?
My predominant emotion is excitement! This is a fantastic opportunity and I’m thrilled to have even been nominated, let alone shortlisted. I am incredibly proud to be an apprentice and truly believe apprenticeships are the best way to learn. I see this as a chance to advocate the benefits of these and am excited to help RICS showcase what apprentices can achieve.
What would it mean to you win?
I think awards such as this are one of the best rewards a young professional can hope to receive in recognition of their hard work. It would be an incredible honour to win.
Adelle Rhule-Martin graduated from UCEM’s Surveying Technician – Real Estate Management apprenticeship earlier this year. The Surveyor for GVA is another UCEM-educated nominee on the Apprentice of the Year shortlist.
Why do you think you were nominated?
I love my job and I am passionate about promoting career opportunities in surveying.
How does it feel to be on the shortlist?
It is a true honour to be shortlisted – it makes the hard work worth it.
What would it mean to you to win?
This would provide a platform to encourage more people to consider the apprentice pathway into surveying.
Chartered Surveyor – Commercial Real Estate apprentice, Harvin Chohan – an Apprentice Surveyor for CBRE – is also on the Apprentice of the Year shortlist.
How did your nomination in the RICS Matrics awards come about?
As ridiculous as this sounds, I’m honestly not even sure myself! I received an email one day notifying me that I had been nominated and it took me several times reading it to fully comprehend what it was saying as I couldn’t quite believe what I was reading.
Why do you think you were nominated?
I think I was nominated because, for the real estate industry I, alongside many other apprentices, am bucking the trend by bringing a different perspective to a discussion. Furthermore, I am incredibly passionate about encouraging and supporting greater diversity and inclusion in the industry, something that my role as Chair of the BPF [British Property Federation] Futures advisory board has provided me with the opportunity to positively drive change in the industry.
How does it feel to be on the shortlist?
It still feels surreal at times. If someone told me four years ago when I joined CBRE that I would be shortlisted for the RICS Apprentice of the Year award in 2018, I would never have believed them but, it truly is an honour to have been shortlisted and I’m proud to be representing CBRE in this category alongside [fellow nominee] Jessica Neale too!
What would it mean to you to win?
I honestly have not even thought this far ahead. It goes without saying that it would be an incredible honour to win the award but more so for CBRE as I would not be here if it wasn’t for the business leading change and creating the apprenticeship scheme. Winning would be paying testament to the amazing support and encouragement that the business provides to the next generation of real estate professionals and hopefully is encouragement to other individuals out there to consider a career in surveying!
Laura Rafferty-Trow is on the same apprenticeship as Harvin and works as an Acquisition Manager for Spectrum Solicitors Ltd. Laura lives in North Yorkshire and is one of six UCEM apprentices in the running for the Apprentice of the Year gong.
How did your nomination in the RICS Matrics awards come about?
I saw the awards which one of my LinkedIn contacts shared and thought: ‘why not?’. I’m an active networker, for both my practice and my own career, and it’s completely natural for me to go for something if I’m minded – even if it does seem unattainable. I’ve had many great adventures from that mindset!
Why do you think you were nominated?
I’m a force of nature, and perhaps not your typical apprentice. I think my sheer determination and tenacity has won me the respect of my peers. I’m not going out there to necessarily be liked; I’m going out there to negotiate the best deals and look after my client’s interests, and I really care about what I do. I have really enjoyed my learning journey so far, and I regularly attend RICS events, speak and also participate in careers events for young people so I like to think I’m doing my bit for the profession too.
What would it mean to you to win?
I’d definitely cry! This may come as a shock to those who have been on the opposite side of the negotiating table but I think I’d be quite emotional. Surveying is my second career and I’m so grateful of the opportunity to learn and to qualify, to be recognised for doing so with a prestigious award would truly make my year, and hopefully inspire others to join the profession, regardless of their background or circumstances.
Our final Apprentice of the Year award nominee is our third Chartered Surveyor – Commercial Real Estate apprentice, Jessica Neale. Like Harvin, Jessica works for CBRE and she has recently qualified as a Chartered Surveyor.
Why do you think you were nominated?
I think I was nominated as I constantly strive to do my utmost best and give 110% effort in everything I do. I constantly go the extra mile in my day role, for my clients, in my studies, and to help my team and colleagues.
Furthermore, I am extremely passionate about promoting diversity and inclusion within the industry. I sit on the CBRE Women’s Network Board and the Valuation Junior Board representing graduates and apprentices. I also mentor younger apprentices within the company, and mentor two secondary school students. I regularly attend school presentations and have sat on various discussion panels.
How does it feel to be on the shortlist?
I feel extremely honoured to be nominated for such a prestigious award, and am very proud of both myself and Harvin, a colleague who is just as passionate about diversity as I am.
What would it mean to you to win?
It would be an incredible honour to win this award, and if I do win I am very excited for the opportunities it opens to continue to promote diversity within the profession, and to try and inspire more young people to join the industry.
GVA’s Gillian Green is nominated in the Mentor of the Year category. Gillian graduated from UCEM with a Postgraduate Diploma in Surveying in 2013 and the nomination for the Surveyor from Leamington Spa was a double whammy as her apprentice, Adelle Rhule-Martin (who tells her story further up the article) made the Apprentice of the Year shortlist!
How did your nomination in the RICS Matrics awards come about?
I was nominated by my colleague Adelle [Rhule-Martin], who is shortlisted herself in the Apprentice category.
Why do you think you were nominated?
I’ve mentored Adelle on her route to attaining her AssocRICS qualification, and generally provide a lot of support to the younger members of our team. I remember what it was like starting out in the industry with no prior property experience, so always try to offer help and explain the bigger picture of what we do.
How does it feel to be on the shortlist?
It’s very flattering, particularly being on the Mentor shortlist because I feel it’s a more personal category.
What would it mean to you to win?
I would feel very honoured.
Countrywide Surveying Services RICS Registered Valuer and Surveyor, Adam Henchcliffe, is up for the Valuation award. The Reading-based alumnus graduated from our Diploma in Surveying Practice programme last year.
Why do you think you were nominated?
I think I was nominated because I go the extra mile within the job and also do my best to keep my work quality as high as possible.
How does it feel to be on the shortlist?
Career-wise, it is the best thing I have ever achieved.
What would it mean to you to win?
To win over the other candidates would be a very special achievement. I consider being shortlisted an immense achievement that I am very proud of but winning it would be a dream. I would love to see my mum’s face if that happened!!
We wish all our apprentice and alumni nominees the best of luck for Friday! Look out for any updates on our social media channels next week.
