UCEM alumni, apprentices and student shortlisted at RICS Matrics awards
Posted on: 17 November, 2021
Seven UCEM alumni, two apprentices and a student are shortlisted in several categories at the RICS Matrics Young Surveyor of the Year Awards 2021.
Alicia Styring, Charlotte Turner, Gabrielle Boyles and Tarji Jones are nominees for Apprentice of the Year; Kate Taylor is shortlisted for Mentor of the Year; Laura Walker is nominated in the Asset and Facilities Management category; Nikita Badesha in the Project Management category; Andy Xitsas in the Valuation category; and Peter Hart is in the running for the Residential Property accolade.
The awards – which recognise the inspirational and diverse young surveying professionals in the UK – will be announced at a ceremony on Friday (19 November).
Alicia Styring, who is a quantity surveyor for WT Partnership and studied on UCEM’s Chartered Surveyor apprenticeship, comments: “I am overjoyed to have been shortlisted for the RICS Apprentice of the Year. I am looking forward to the ceremony in London and wish all the other shortlisted candidates the best of luck.
“I would like to thank UCEM and WT Partnership for their support whilst completing my degree and chartership.”
Charlotte Turner is an assistant building control surveyor for Assent Building Control and studies on UCEM’s Chartered Surveyor apprenticeship (building control pathway). She says: “I am beyond grateful to be nominated for such a prestigious award. I’m looking forward to attending the RICS Matrics awards evening and meeting all the talented nominees.
“I feel extremely privileged to be an apprentice in such an encouraging, exciting, and evolving industry. Good luck to all nominated!”
Gabrielle Boyles is an assistant quantity surveyor for AECOM. Gabrielle, who studied on UCEM’s Chartered Surveyor apprenticeship, comments: “I am honoured to have been shortlisted for RICS Apprentice of the Year, and can’t wait to celebrate with all the other nominees at the awards evening.”
Tarji Jones also studied on UCEM’s Chartered Surveyor apprenticeship and is a trainee MEP cost consultant at Arcadis. Tarji reflects: “It’s not only satisfying to have been recognised by employees as an outstanding achiever, but intrinsically rewarding to be nominated by the RICS for Apprentice of the Year. Now, a floor has been set; I am excited to see where the next ceiling is as I look to propel myself to new heights in my career.”
Kate Taylor is a training consultant and assessor chair for APC TaylorMade and studied on UCEM’s Diploma in Estate Management (Valuation) programme. Kate is shortlisted in the Mentor of the Year category for a second year in a row. She says: “It’s a huge honour to be shortlisted for the second time. My cup runneth over!
“I had no idea I had been nominated and it was a lovely surprise to be shortlisted. I am in awe of the other shortlisted mentors…I am in impressive company.
“Mentoring new members of the profession is my life’s work. I live and breathe the RİCS APC [assessment of professional competence]. If my profile helps a single surveyor join or stay in the profession, it has all been worth it.”
Laura Walker is a senior property management surveyor for Bradley Hall Chartered Surveyors and studied on UCEM’s BSc (Hons) Real Estate Management programme. Laura remarks: “I’m delighted to have been nominated and shortlisted as a finalist for Young Surveyor of the Year.
“It’s an honour to be recognised at this level by my colleagues, employer and the RICS. It was a fantastic surprise to have been nominated by my colleagues and to become one of only five people in the country to be up for this award.”
Nikita Badesha is an assistant project manager for Rider Levett Bucknall and studies on UCEM’s Chartered Surveyor apprenticeship, on the MSc Construction Management pathway. Like Kate, Nikita is nominated for a second year in a row, and she says: “Coming into construction after studying a business degree was a whole new world for me and I had a lot to learn, but it’s been a fun learning curve so far.
“It’s amazing to have been shortlisted for the Young Surveyor of the Year Awards for the second year in a row at such an early stage in my career. The 2020 awards ceremony was held online so I’m really looking forward to attending in person this year and getting to meet the other finalists.”
Peter Hart is client services director for MCL Surveying and studied on UCEM’s Foundation Degree – Surveying Practice programme. Peter says: “‘I feel proud, honoured and privileged to have been nominated and to become a finalist for the 2021 RICS Young Surveyor of the Year award (Residential Property). I am grateful for all the support that I have received along the way in this brilliant profession.”
Andy Xitsas is managing director of Precise Property, having studied on UCEM’s Postgraduate Diploma in Surveying (real estate route) programme. Andy comments: “To have reached the final of these prestigious awards feels like the Ballon d’Or or the ‘Grammys of Surveying’. It is exciting to have made the final and be amongst the best young surveyors across the whole of the UK.”
For more about the awards, head to the awards webpage.
