RICS Matrics Young Surveyor of the Year Awards, 2020

Giles Heather

Associate Director, Linesight

After his earlier success in the Quantity Surveying & Construction category, RICS Judges named Giles the RICS Matrics Young Surveyor of the Year 2020. Judges were impressed with his long list of achievements, demonstrating his determination to continuously challenge himself and his vision for the profession to be truly inclusive, sustainable and digitised.

His drive for advancement and commitment for client satisfaction as a key account manager has seen him create a guidance tool allowing a projects costs to be aligned to the clients cost segregation and project budgeting protocols. In 2020 Giles and his team launched a Wellbeing initiative to ensure that their organisations employees were treated as individuals and were offered support in their health and wellbeing. As an APC Lead, Giles offers guidance and support to his colleagues involved in the APC, helping his organisation achieve a 100% APC pass rate. He has also used his quantity surveying experience to help the charity New Horizons Youth Centre, who support homeless 16-24 year olds.

Throughout his career Giles has shown impressive engagement with RICS, as a current member of the RICS London Regional Board and an RICS Inspire Ambassador, he is dedicated to inspiring the next generation and moving the profession forward with the highest standards and latest innovations. Judges also praised his focus on the well-being and sustainability of his team, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, commenting that he is a great role model for the new era of surveying talent.

Freya Woodward

Trainee Project Manager, Arcadis

A truly remarkable individual. Having overcome many challenges and being furloughed during the pandemic she has shown enormous initiative and has gone on to make an outstanding contribution to mitigating the spread of Covid-19 for refugees whilst at the same time achieving excellent results in her own studies.

Mark Brew 

Senior Commercial Manager, Interserve Support Services

A young surveyor with a wide knowledge of facilities management who has used his experience to great effect during the current crisis, working on a taskforce to formulate and support sector specific strategies in response to Government guidance.

Samantha Organ 

Senior Building Surveyor / Senior Lecturer in Building Surveying, The National Trust / The University of the West of England

This candidate has given so much to the industry and built environment with many achievements and success. She works in numerous capacities and has been an active advocate for the profession throughout her career, helping to inspire future generations.

Gagan Jagpal 

Senior Surveyor, Capital Markets, Cushman & Wakefield

A model professional who is dedicated to his career, he often goes above and beyond and is highly regarded by his clients. He plays a key role in his firms ‘Futures Network’ with a desire to develop the profession and is seen as a role model to his colleagues.

Jessica Jones 

Development Surveyor & Heritage Specialist, Network Rail

A truly committed individual who demonstrates how personal success can be achieved whilst giving back to the profession. She has carved out her own niche as a development surveyor specialising in heritage, shaping some of the UK’s biggest regeneration projects and helping teach students how surveyors can play a part in preserving the past whilst building a sustainable future.

Michael Pain 

Sole Practitioner, Mike Pain

A relatable mentor who has selflessly given up his own time to encourage and advise his mentees to achieve more and aim higher. He is an outstanding exemplar who has mentored circa 350 people over the course of his career, his influence has seen many of his own mentees go on to mentor future generations.

Pippa Heron 

Development Surveyor, Morton Group Ltd

An adaptable and personable surveyor who’s can-do approach and out of the box thinking helps her excel whilst leading internal and external teams on a variety of projects. Her passion for the industry and drive for continual growth has brought unrivalled dynamism to her organisation.

Giles Heather 

Associate Director, Linesight

A passionate self-starter with a long list of achievements demonstrating his determination to continuously challenge himself. Throughout his career he has shown impressive engagement with RICS, dedicated to inspiring the next generation and moving the profession forward with the highest standards and latest innovations.

James Brook

Director - Chartered Surveyor, Novello Surveyors

A surveyor with a passion for technology and innovation who is quickly gaining a reputation for his excellent service. In the past year he has helped establish a new firm with a focus on tablet and remote technology which has seen them flourish despite the pandemic.