Graduate opportunities 2014

Rural Practice Graduate Opportunities 2014

Welcome to Smiths Gore Welcome to the 2014 edition of the Smiths Gore Graduate Brochure.

Smiths Gore is a leading firm of rural practice chartered surveyors with a clear vision of the future. Our firm thrives on adapting to the demands and pressures of managing rural estate businesses in a challenging economy.

We know that our continued success depends upon attracting and retaining talented individuals who share our commitment to exceeding our clients’ expectations.

Smiths Gore is a firm in which you can fulfil your potential and gain job satisfaction and recognition for your hard work.

We are looking for people who are diligent, innovative, ambitious and enthusiastic.

Working with Smiths Gore is challenging and rewarding. We offer an exciting and stimulating career for people passionate about rural estates and their management.

I look forward to meeting you.

Rupert Clark Head of Management Division

Introducing Smiths Gore

Smiths Gore is one of the UK’s leading rural property consultants with 32 offices strategically located across the UK ranging from Fochabers in the north of Scotland to Truro in the south-west as well as 18 estate offices. We manage in excess of 2,000,000 acres of land for a diverse range of clients Our history dates back as far as 1845 and we are proud of our rich heritage. However we have never rested on our laurels and we are a diverse and innovative business, seeking opportunities and pioneering solutions for each new challenge. One of our clients has been with us since the Partnership was formalised in 1847 but many are new to us, attracted by our reputation, professionalism and expertise.

We have a broad range of service lines including rural estate management which has formed the core of our business since its inception. We also

provide professional advice on farm management and architecture and building surveying. We have a strong commercial property investment and valuation arm and a highly regarded research department. We offer management guidance on field sports, woodland, forestry and arboriculture, minerals, waste and environmental issues. We advise on residential development and planning. We are recognised as one of the premier estate agents in the sale and purchase of farms, estates, country houses and cottages.

Indeed, we pride ourselves in offering the complete rural land and property service.

Our partners and staff possess an infectious attitude towards rural property management and we recognise that our continued success depends upon our people. If you feel that you have the skills and character to join our professional team, then we look forward to receiving your application.

Graeme Ker Rural Surveyor in the Cirencester office

I joined Smiths Gore in July 2011 having completed a Masters in Rural Land Management at Cirencester Royal Agricultural College. My decision to work for Smiths Gore was largely influenced by the type of people that the firm employs; they are professional, knowledgeable and believe passionately about what they do.

The company’s ideology is built upon the foundations of a strong work ethic, integrity and professionalism and this is borne out by the Smiths Gore staff and their approach to their working day.

As soon as I began my career at Smiths Gore I became involved in a variety of tasks on two privately owned estates where the range of the work is diverse

and offers plenty of scope for experience and learning. Communication is a key part of the job as we have to deal with people from all walks of life from day one and there is also plenty of exposure to clients.

I really enjoy the team dynamics in the Cirencester office and already feel part of the fabric.

The wealth of knowledge and experience within the office is a valuable commodity for any graduate which will provide a great foundation for the APC and indeed the rest of my career.

Claire McClellan Rural Surveyor in the Winchester office.

I joined Smiths Gore in August 2010 having completed a BSc (Hons) in Rural Enterprise and Land Management at Harper Adams University College. I was lucky enough to have two job offers on the table and chose Smiths Gore due to the wide variety of clients, their excellent reputation within the industry and the high pass rate for the RICS APC examination.

The majority of the work I undertake is for public sector clients. I am also involved with private clients and estate agency work across Wiltshire, Hampshire and Dorset. My workload is a mixture of estate management, landlord and tenant, agricultural and property law.

Throughout my APC training I have been given a level of responsibility with support from my colleagues and I have always felt I have ‘ownership’ of the work I am involved in.

It is an old cliché but no two days are ever the same. The work is extremely varied including carrying out land and building inspections, dealing with landlord and tenant matters, meeting tenants and clients, conducting viewings or preparing tenancy documents. I spend half the week out of the office on estates which enables me to enjoy the mixture of a professional career in the countryside.

Joanne Barker Rural Surveyor in the Darlington office

I joined the Darlington office in July 2012, having completed an undergraduate course in Real Estate at the University of Reading.

Smiths Gore initially stood out to me due to the extensive training programme offered for the APC, along with a high pass rate for both APC and CAAV exams.

Smiths Gore offer in-house APC training days twice a year which consist of lectures from guest speakers and mock APC interviews. There is also support with completing your APC diary and Critical Analysis. These training days are invaluable in terms of strengthening your knowledge and also an excellent networking opportunity.

The Smiths Gore ethos is echoed by everyone within the firm and from day

one I felt part of the wider Smiths Gore family. Outside of the office there are plenty of opportunities to meet up, and I was invited to an inter-office Clay Pigeon Shooting competition before I had even started work in Darlington.

The variety of work and expertise within Smiths Gore is incredible; I am currently working for two large institutional clients.

I have already had great exposure to a diverse workload and client facing responsibilities including meeting with tenants and contractors on a regular basis. Having this level of responsibility from such an early stage has been a steep learning curve which has been backed up by support from colleagues, providing an excellent platform for my career.

Tom Richmond Rural Surveyor in the Fochabers office

I joined Smiths Gore in 2012 after completing an MA in Rural Surveying at The University of Aberdeen.

I am based in Fochabers in the north of Scotland and although I have only recently joined, I immediately felt like a part of the team. From the outset I have been involved in internal meetings, important estate visits and discussions with our clients. This has been a fantastic start to my career in the rural sector.

Currently my primary role is assisting the managing agent on the Glenlivet Estate. I am involved in a wide range of tasks, from dealing directly with tenants to instructing day to day repairs or more substantial projects.

Each day in the office is different, ranging from inspecting a new cattle court or arranging new terms for a sporting lease. I have even met His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales at the Land Girls Memorial opening (I think that was a one off though!).

Smiths Gore employees are professional and enthusiastic and the depth of knowledge among my colleagues is incredible. I am looking forward to the support that Smiths Gore can offer me in terms of my APC training which will be invaluable.

Training at Smiths Gore

Our training and development programme is one of the best in the industry which is why there is fierce competition for every job.

On joining Smiths Gore you can look forward to a structured training programme for the APC and beyond.

We offer extensive support during the APC including exam leave, training days and coaching.

We offer the opportunity to learn from some of the most respected names in the industry and the prospects of working

on challenging and ground-breaking projects in some of the most outstanding landscapes and buildings in the UK. Our aim is to recruit and develop the most talented individuals and provide you with an appropriate level of responsibility. There are regular technical updates, firm-wide conferences and seminars with industry-renowned figures.

And, of course, you can look forward to a full and varied social calendar both in and out of the office.

Smiths Gore APC training Devon 2013

Application Process

Those wishing to be considered for a position within Smiths Gore’s Rural Practice Department should email their CV to angela.rowland@smithsgore.co.uk by no later than 5pm on Friday 29 November 2013.

A shortlist will be drawn up for initial interviews during early January. Those who are successful will then be put forward for a second and final interview. Job offers to those who are selected are made shortly afterwards. We seek to make the process as short and painless as possible.

Students graduating in other disciplines (architecture, planning, estate agency) should forward their CV to Smiths Gore’s HR department:Human Resources, Stuart House, City Road, Peterborough PE1 1QF or email: teresa.deo@smithsgore.co.uk.

Recruitment in these sectors takes place throughout the year and is not limited to January.

Smiths Gore offices

Abergavenny t 01873 859200

Fochabers t 01343 823000

Petworth t 01798 345980

Andover t 01264 774900

Haddington t 01620 828960

Reading t 0118 903 5195

Berwick-upon-Tweed t 01289 333030

Lichfield t 01543 251221

Stamford t 01780 484696

Carlisle t 01228 527586

Lincoln t 01522 539555

Stow-on-the-Wold t 01451 832832

Cirencester t 01285 888000

London t 020 7409 9490

Taunton t 01823 445030

Clitheroe t 01200 411050

Maidstone t 01732 879050

Truro t 01872 274646

Corbridge t 01434 632001

Marlborough t 01672 529050

Winchester t 01962 857400

Darlington t 01325 462966

Newmarket t 01638 665848

Wooler t 01668 281611

Dumfries t 01387 263066

Oxford t 01865 733300

Worcester t 01905 371261

Edinburgh t 0131 344 0888

Perth t 01738 479180

York t 01904 756300

Exeter t 01392 278466

Peterborough t 01733 567231

smithsgore.co.uk