Garness Jones is delighted to be continuing its long-held commitment to training the next generation of commercial property specialists with university graduate Jamie Halsall joining the team in York.
With a track-record of training and mentoring graduate surveyors and guiding them through their Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors Assessment of Professional Competence (APC), Jamie will benefit from working alongside our experienced York team, learning all aspects of the role.
Jamie, 24, from Doncaster, studied Real Estate and Property Management at Leeds Beckett University, gaining a 2:1 degree.
He set his sights on a career in commercial property and surveying (after a stint as a skiing instructor in Switzerland!), having ‘got a foot in the door’ of the industry with some recent experience at a York-based holiday lettings business.
“I’m excited by the opportunity I have been given as Garness Jones is a long-established business which has some really impressive clients, a great reputation and a strong portfolio of work,” he said.
“I’d been working for a holiday lettings business just to get my foot in the door of the industry and gain some experience, as my real interest is real estate.
“Then the chance came to join Garness Jones came along and I jumped at the opportunity. I’ve always had an interest in property, and York is a great place to be involved as there are so many fantastic buildings and it has such a rich history.”
Training will cover all skills required
As a graduate surveyor, Jamie will be assisting the team with everything from valuations and viewings to carrying out inspections and completing reports.
As he works towards achieving his APC qualification, he will be assessed on competencies including business skills, technical skills, professional ethics and his knowledge of RICS rules.
Combining practical experience with written submissions of work he is involved in, before a final assessment interview, the successful completion of the APC leads to Chartered status (MRICS), signifying a high level of professional competence and expertise.
Jamie is being mentored by Agency and Professional Services Director Rosie Crux, who has more than 25 years’ experience of sales and lettings, valuations, rent reviews, and lease renewals in the York area.
“I’m lucky to learning from the experienced team Garness Jones have in York, and of course Rosie who knows the local market as well as anybody,” added Jamie.
“I’ve been made to feel very welcome and at ease. I’m looking forward to the point where I can handle the entire process, from surveying and valuing a property to seeing it through to being placed on the market and then let. I think that will be really satisfying.”
Fourth graduate surveyor in Garness team
Jamie joins three other graduate surveyors at the business, with Josh Darley, Matthew Pinkney and Jacob Edwards also learning their trade in the Hull office.
David Garness, Managing Director of Garness Jones, said: “As a business we believe in championing ambition, creating opportunities, and investing in the future of the cities we work in, and so we are delighted to add another enthusiastic graduate surveyor to our team in Jamie.
“Josh, Matthew and Jacob have really impressed and have demonstrated the value in training young, talented and enthusiastic people, not only in the skills of the job, but also importantly the ethos and values of our team here at Garness Jones, to ensure first-class customer service and communication.
“We instill the qualities we know will take them a long way in their careers.
“We wish Jamie well as he sets out on what I am sure will be a challenging and enjoyable career in commercial property. He has the support of some very experienced and knowledgeable members of our team, so I am sure he will do well.”
