New staff and commitment to homegrown surveyors
During 2019, fourteen new people have joined our team across all disciplines and various branches. At our Staff Training Day this autumn, we visited Westfield Farm Park. It gave everyone a chance to meet up and see an excellent example of farm diversification, which included equestrian activities, fishing, fun park, holiday cabins and more. It was also a great day for our new recruits to meet the full D&R team.
Strategically, it is great to have a pool of graduate surveyors that develop with us. D&R is committed to recruiting and developing talented young graduates. Each year we introduce at least 2 graduates or work placement students, encouraging them with clear progression paths within the company.
Many of our qualified surveyors are homegrown, 100% of our Directors and Branch Managers are Fellows of CAAV. Within the company, we have 15 CAAV Fellows – with new surveyors going forward for the exams each year.
New Branch Managers
Colin Beattie: Branch Manager, Castle Douglas. A Senior Surveyor with years of experience, Colin grew up on a farm in Dumfries & Galloway. He has an MSc in Agricultural Economics and qualified as a Rural Surveyor in 2004 and achieved FAAV status in 2014. Colin is a member of the Scottish Agricultural Arbiters & Valuers Association. Find out more
Hannah Matthew: Branch Manager, Forfar. Working with a range of private and institutional clients on the management of rural land and estates, Hannah has a particular interest in landlord and tenant work with a wealth of experience in agricultural holdings. She has an MA (Hons) in Rural Surveying and Spatial Planning, is a Member of RICS and a Fellow of CAAV. Find out more
D&R challenge – Walk the Wall raises £1,500
In June we walked Hadrian’s Wall (well, most of it) and made a donation to the Farm Safety Foundation’s #mindyourhead campaign, focusing on farm safety and farmer’s mental health issues. We presented a cheque for £1,500 to the Farm Safety Foundation at SRUC Oatridge Campus in October, when it was delivering Farm Safety training lectures to students.
