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Sociable Surveyors awards 31 internships Property industry newcomers advised to gain local knowledge first. Mike Phillips reports
“There would be a temptation to come to London, because the perception is that that’s where the action is, but there are a lot of good schemes and good property companies outside the capital, so there is a great chance for people starting off in the industry outside of London.” David Atkins, chief executive of Hammerson, spoke at the 2013 Sociable Surveyors Awards, imparting his advice to an audience of more than 400 primarily young people in property at the City headquarters of Allen & Overy a fortnight ago. At the awards, 31 internships were given out to graduates or young people starting out on a career in the property industry, in a scheme organised by
Sociable Surveyors and its founders, Elliott Sparsis of Savills and Sebastian Abigail of Knight Frank. Atkins was speaking alongside BNP Paribas Real Estate UK chief executive John Slade, proffering advice from the peak of the profession to those gathered. “I can only admire the drive of professionalism of young people in the industry today. Someone I was speaking to earlier had finished work and come down on the train from Sheffield to be at the event,” said Atkins. “I think now is not a bad time to be starting out in property — there are opportunities for talented, hard-working people who start out in an industry and can get a foot in at the start of a recovery.” Slade spoke of the best way to get ahead in an
increasingly globalised property industry where overseas investors were dominating the investment market. “I think don’t try and get involved in that area too early,” he said. “Overseas investors want the best advice from people who really know their local markets, so take the time to become an expert in your local market first.” This year, for the first time, Sociable Surveyors offered a hybrid internship, offering placements at a law firm, property company and property agency (see box). Global and London internships were also offered. Sparsis said: “It was a unique opportunity to hear from two great property personalities and network amongst surveyors, agents, developers, lawyers and trainees.” 9
London hybrid internship winners Firms
Winner
Ashfords — Bouygues — Jones Lang LaSalle
Duncan Crooks
Berwin Leighton Paisner — Land Securities — Knight Frank
Aneta Popiel
Berwin Leighton Paisner — Land Securities — Knight Frank
Lloyd Harrison
Herbert Smith Freehills — Hammerson — DTZ
James Wilson
Herbert Smith Freehills — Hammerson — DTZ
Elizabeth Dear
Herbert Smith Freehills — Berkeley Group — Capita Symonds
Joe Skinner
Mishcon de Reya — Brookfield — CBRE
Caitlin Ballard
Mishcon de Reya — Brookfield — CBRE
Marc Tevendale
Nabarro — British Land — Savills
Dominic Ball
Nabarro — British Land — Savills
Harry Chapman
Taken interns (from left): global winner Sandra Nwachukwu, hybrid winner Dominic Ball and London winners Charlotte Thompson and Harry Chapman
Trench warfare over auction prize
The awards evening raised more than £4,000 for property industry charity LandAid, through a charity auction overseen by Acuitus chairman and auctioneer Richard Auterac. There was fierce bidding over one particular lot — the chance to write a one-page article for Property
propertyweek.com
Dear prize: Elizabeth Dear picks up her hybrid internship from Sociable Surveyors cofounder Sebastian Abigail
Week, on a topic of the winning bidder’s choice. When the gavel went down the winning bidder was Stephen Trench, a project manager at Jones Lang LaSalle currently on secondment at oil company Shell, working on the redevelopment of the Shell Centre. Keep an eye out for his piece later this year.
Careers @
To view the full list of placement winners, and for more images from the event, go to propertyweek.com/careers
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