Three young surveyors from the North East have won national accolades for their career achievements, outstanding professionalism, and unwavering commitment to inspire future talent after beating tough competition from 90 shortlisted surveyors from around the UK in the annual RICS Matrics Young Surveyor of the Year Awards (YSOYA).
Joe Fraser of Joe Fraser Chartered Surveyors based in Stockton-on-Tees won the Residential Property title at the YSOYA, which recognise the most talented and influential young surveyors – aged 35 or under – in the UK.
Meanwhile Laura Walker who is based in the Newcastle upon Tyne office of Bradley Hall Chartered Surveyors won the Asset and Facilities Management category and Javaad Khalil who founded and works for Consult North in Newcastle upon Tyne won the Quantity Surveying and Construction title.
The winners were announced at an awards ceremony hosted by broadcaster and presenter Jo Ankier on 19 November at the Hilton Park Lane in London where Clement Lau, RICS President opened the evening.
Javaad Khalil
Javaad impressed his colleagues on his placement year leading to him being given autonomy of an £87m development and he even went on to negotiate the final account. This was a massive achievement, and he became the only placement student to ever receive a pay rise in the company.
He then went on to qualify for his RICS membership and was Chartered at the age of 24. To have industry recognised knowledge and the ability to advise clients first-hand at such a young age is a powerful achievement.
After qualification, he was offered a senior cost consulting position and within his first week, he introduced a client and secured more work for the firm, again exceeding the expectations of the firm’s directors.
At 26, he set up an RICS Accredited consultancy; a move that was envied by others in the industry and seen as ambitious whilst the industry was still coming to terms with the pandemic. Over the last year, Javaad has demonstrated how he can successfully develop a business as well as provide a technical service. At 27, he launched his own property and construction consultancy and within two months of launching, the firm was managing construction developments totalling a value of £40m.
Javaad is a finalist for the Emerging Property Person of the Year 2021 and because of what he has achieved for clients, his consultancy has been shortlisted for the Specialist Property Consultancy of the Year.
Laura Walker
Starting out as an administration assistant in 2011, Laura’s natural flair for property, tenacity, and willingness to learn was quickly recognised by the senior management team. She enrolled onto the Real Estate degree through UCEM and completed her BSc. (Hons) via distance learning, while working full time as an Estate Management Surveyor and Senior Property Manager. In the final stages of her degree, Laura enrolled in the APC process and successfully attained her Chartered status six months later.
Laura has demonstrated natural leadership qualities in mentoring trainee surveyors, allowing them opportunities to assist in asset management. She is an extremely knowledgeable surveyor with excellent factual recall. She possesses an innate ability to disseminate knowledge in an accessible way and has become a role model to the firm’s younger, less established team members.
Laura has outstanding client management skills, alongside her expertise and dedication to professional self-development. The success and improvement of her firm’s wider team and her support of others in the profession via her involvement with the North East RICS Matrics Committee showcases her position as a trailblazer within the industry. She will continue to develop her knowledge and skillset exponentially whilst supporting clients in achieving the best outcome for their investments.
Joe Fraser
Graduating and qualifying as a Chartered Surveyor in 2015, Joe founded his firm in the same year and currently employs a team of 16, eight of whom are chartered surveyors. Over this period the firm has carried out over 10,000 instructions for lenders, private individuals/consumers, accountants, solicitors and other firms of chartered surveyors.
In 2020, he was appointed a Fellow of RICS, a testament to the dedication he has shown this career and profession since qualification. Focusing on niche areas such as Leasehold Reform has led to the firm being the only Association of Leasehold Enfranchisement Practitioners (ALEP) recognised firm of Valuers.
He has focused his career particularly on Expert Witness & Leasehold Reform and is a Member of the Expert Witness Institute (MEWI) and a Member of Chartered Arbitrators (MCIArb). Further, in 2020 he was appointed to the First-tier Tribunal – Residential Property as a Valuer Member.
Joe has supported his profession by being a member of the Chartered Surveyors’ Voluntary Service and APC Assessor.
The following young surveyors were recognised for their outstanding career achievements at the awards in their respective sectors and disciplines:
- RICS Matrics UK Young Surveyor of the Year – Mirona Tomala of Gleeds in London
- Apprentice of the Year – Chloe Hartley of Mott McDonald in Yorkshire and Humber
- Asset and Facilities Management – Laura Walker of Bradley Hall Chartered Surveyors in the North East
- Building Surveying – Joe Campbell of Rider Levett Bucknall in Yorkshire and Humber
- Commercial property – Elise Thompson of BPS Chartered Surveyors in the South East
- Land (Rural and Urban) – Abigail Jones of Savills (UK) Ltd in the East of England
- Mentor of the Year – Victoria Carter of AECOM in London
- Project Management – Mirona Tomala of Gleeds in London
- Quantity Surveying & Construction – Javaad Khalil of Consult North in the North East
- Residential property – Joe Fraser of Joe Fraser Chartered Surveyors in the North East
- Valuation – Kevin Keane of e.surv Chartered Surveyors in Scotland
This year’s jury panel consisted of 10 industry leaders. They said: “All of our category winners – and their employers – should be incredibly proud of what they have achieved as future leaders of the surveying profession. They have demonstrated that they are not only having a profoundly positive impact on their respective markets and workplaces but are also going above and beyond to help ensure our industry continues to have a positive impact on society and attracts and retains the brightest talent.”