Exam success for three alumni during lockdown

Despite the challenges brought about by the current lockdown, a trio of GSC Grays graduate surveyors, all of whom are Harper alumni, are celebrating exam success!

Hot on the heels of their achievements at the end of 2019 in achieving their Central Association of Agricultural Valuers (CAAV) qualifications, Sam Cole, Stuart Jones and Will Smith have now all 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 six years (including four years at university) they were keen to go ahead as planned.

All three agreed that while it’s been hard work, it’s been a massive benefit to be able to study and work through the process together, bouncing thoughts and ideas off each other. Will commented: “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.”