Professional practice award winners announced

Posted 22 June 2015

Four second year land management students have seen their hard work rewarded by being crowned the winners of a professional practice award, sponsored by chartered surveyors, Smiths Gore.

The award is for Rural Enterprise and Land Management (REALM) students and involves working to produce a report on a real-life case study.

This year, the assignment, part of the Rural Professional Practice module, was based on a 2,000 acre estate in South Derbyshire managed by Smiths Gore.

First prize of £150 was awarded to Joanna Blakely, second prize of £75 to Jonny Pickup and joint third prize of £25 each to Joe Powell and Ryan Warman.

Senior Lecturer and module leader, Andrew Black said: “The students were required to produce professionally written reports, invoices, covering letters and detailed photographic records of condition.

“This kind of experience will prove invaluable for the students as they embark on their placement year in the next few months.

“The input, support and encouragement provided by Smiths Gore is second to none, and something the students really benefit and learn from.”

The winners, selected from 65 submissions, were chosen by Steve Farrow, Associate of Smiths Gore.

Mr Farrow said: “Being involved with this assignment has been an enjoyable and insightful experience and I am delighted to have played a part in the training of a future generation of rural professionals.

“The overall standard was high and it was clear that effort had been put into preparing the assignments, which is encouraging to see.

“The client is interested to read the reports and I am sure that they will provide food for thought.”

Winner, 20-year-old Joanna from Southampton, said: “It was really good to be given the opportunity to look around the site and have the chance to develop our own ideas and designs as to what could be developed there.

“It was really tough competition this year, everyone put a lot of effort into their reports and it was good fun to see everyone's designs and drawings as to how they envisage the site.

“It was a real privilege to win the award given the tough competition.”