Young surveyor celebrates double success in one day

A North East surveyor is celebrating a red letter day after achieving chartered status and winning a Young Achiever of the Year award, all on the same day.

Thomas Coneely, of JK Property, passed his Assessment of Professional Competence on Friday.

After the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors confirmed the pass, Thomas went on to pick up a Young Achiever award from Construction Excellence North East.

He was nominated for the award by Northumbria University for his commitment to charity and community work in the region.

Kevan Carrick, principal of JK Property, said: “We’re very proud of Thomas and what he continues to achieve both in and outside of the workplace and are grateful to Northumbria University for his award nomination.

“Only 40% of candidates pass their APC first time so this is testament to Thomas’s hard work and his dedication to progressing along his chosen career.

“He thoroughly deserves this success and we’re confident he will continue to do great things.”

A key factor in Thomas’ success was his commitment to RICS matrics, part of which entails providing a vital local link between student, trainee and full members of RICS.

As regional winner he will now go on to compete in a Construction Excellence national final later in the year.

Thomas secured the role of surveyor at JK Property Consultants after graduating from Northumbria University in 2011 and, encouraged by the firm, continued to study hard towards full membership of the RICS.

To pass the APC, trainee members must record their professional experience and train for a minimum of two years in a range of different sectors of the property industry.

Thomas said: “The final assessment is a task which all members of RICS go through, but it is a daunting prospect, made more difficult by the day to day pressures of the job.

“I’ve worked hard to provide quality advice to clients by providing advice to Landlords and Tenants on lease events, providing agency and investment advice, as well as undertaking development advice and appraisals for commercial properties across the region.

“Kevan and the JK team have been very supportive throughout all this time.

“Instructing a chartered surveyor brings clear benefits.

“By receiving property advice from someone who is ‘MRICS’ you are guaranteed a high level of service and a transparent redress system in the rare instance something goes wrong.

“I’m thrilled I’ve been able to pass first time of asking, just two years after graduating.”