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Despite the challenges brought about by the current lockdown, a trio of GSC Grays graduate surveyors are celebrating exam success!
Hot on the heels of their success at the end of 2019 in achieving their Central Association of Agricultural Valuers (CAAV) qualifications, Sam Cole, Stuart Jones and Will Smith have now gone on to successfully complete their Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) professional exams, in what can only be described as exceptional circumstances.
Lucinda Riddell, Director at GSC Grays and APC Assessor commented: “Studying for the RICS qualification under normal circumstances is a long process, requiring a great deal of commitment and hard work, combined with regular mock interviews and mentoring from colleagues across the business, in key competencies. As our offices have been closed over the last couple of months with employees working from home, Sam, Stuart and Will have had to rely on technology more than ever, with mock interviews, competency questioning sessions and exam preparation all being carried out online or through video calls with their colleagues and mentors.
Normally the final assessment would involve a face to face meeting with an RICS panel. The RICS offered all candidates who were due to sit their final assessments, the choice to defer until the Autumn or carry out the assessment via a video call. As Stuart, Sam and Will have been working hard towards this qualification for nearly 6 years (including 4 years at university) they were keen to go ahead as planned!”
All three have agreed that, whilst it had been hard work, it had been a massive benefit that they have been able to study and work through the process together, bouncing thoughts and ideas off each other. Sam advised that on the day of the assessment, the interview panel “were friendly and approachable and the assessment itself seemed to fly by” with Stuart adding “as the assessment interview was carried out in our own familiar office environment, it also removed all the stresses of travelling from the process”. Will commented that “it has been a long but rewarding process and we all feel a huge of sense of achievement that all three of us have been successful, particularly under such unusual circumstances”.
Guy Coggrave, Managing Director, added “It’s been an exceptional achievement for all three of them and their success is testament to their hard work and commitment over the last few years. They should be very proud of their success. Stuart, Sam and Will have all been with us since 2018 and over the last two years it has been rewarding to see all three develop their understanding of the rural services we as a business can offer and the exciting opportunities that exist in this region. We look forward to seeing them continue to develop their careers at GSC Grays”.
To complete a week of successes, Guy also advised that “In further positive news, we are also delighted to be promoting Holly Story and Alexander Terry, to Senior Farm Business Consultant and Senior Surveyor respectively. Alexander joined us at the end of 2017 and Holly at the start of 2018 and having supported Holly through her CAAV exams and Alexander through his RICS exams last year, we have been delighted at how they have progressed and become valued members of the professional teams. We recognise the importance of both professional qualifications and continuing development. The North of England is an exciting place to work and, as a regional business, we recognise the importance of both professional qualifications and continuing development and very much feel a responsibility to give all our employees, and graduates, the opportunities and support they need to develop their careers and remain in the area”.