Training and development reap double dividends for D&R staff
A duo of Chartered Surveyors at Davidson & Robertson (D&R) are celebrating qualifications as Fellows of the Central Association of Agricultural Valuers – they are two of only seven in Scotland to qualify this year.
The Central Association of Agricultural Valuers (CAAV) is a specialist professional body whose members provide advice and valuation expertise on issues affecting the countryside. Of the seven new Fellows in Scotland, two are at D&R – Kirsten Tait and Murray Philp.
The long tradition of nurturing staff is core to the D&R ethos, and nowhere is this more evident than in these recent successes. Both Kirsten and Murray joined as Graduate Surveyors, continuing their studies whilst working at D&R.
Kirsten Tait is the newest in a succession of Chartered Surveyors who have qualified at D&R. Kirsten passed her APC (RICS) in November 2018 and a few weeks later, gained Fellowship of CAAV.
Originally from Orkney, Kirsten graduated with an Honours Degree in Rural Business Management from the SRUC – Scotland’s Rural College, in 2014. Following a period of travel, Kirsten gained experience working at the Department of Agriculture in Orkney before joining Davidson & Robertson in September 2016 as a Graduate Surveyor.
D&R encouraged Kirsten to complete extra modules with the SRUC whilst at work, enabling her to top up her qualification to gain a RICS accredited degree in 2017.
Based in the D&R Edinburgh office, Kirsten enjoys Planning and Development work as well as getting involved in farm Valuations and Sales. She is also working on a utilities project that will power Orkney, often travelling home to represent fellow islanders.
Murray Philp grew up in rural East Ayrshire. He then moved to Aberdeen where he completed a master’s degree in Land Economy (Rural Surveying and Rural Property Management) in 2015.
Murray joined Davidson & Robertson as a Graduate Surveyor spending nearly two years working in their Cockermouth office. In summer 2017, he moved to the D&R Forfar office and also qualified as a MRICS Chartered Surveyor.
Murray enjoys the variety that his professional consultancy role provides – from Valuations and Sales to supporting clients with forestry interests. Most recently, Murray has achieved the Level 6 Award in Residential Letting and Property Management (Scotland).
D&R Managing Director Martin Hall said “We’re delighted to congratulate Kirsten and Murray on their latest qualifications. We are always keen to nurture home grown talent and we have a steady stream of graduates following a similar path. It’s something we actively encourage – it demonstrates commitment to our staff and creates opportunity for them to grow – and it benefits our clients and our industry too.”
To find out more about opportunities at Davidson & Robertson, visit www.drrural.co.uk.
Picture: Murray Philp and Kirsten Tait, Chartered Surveyors at Davidson & Robertson who have both now passed their CAAV exams.
