Passing her professional competence exams, Katie Kolita has qualified as a Chartered Surveyor with Davidson & Robertson, becoming the newest Chartered Surveyor in Dumfries & Galloway.
Katie Kolita studied for her Assessment of Professional Competence (APC) whilst working with Davidson & Robertson, the rural surveyors and consultants with offices in Castle Douglas. Passing the assessment, Katie has become a Chartered Surveyor and a Member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS).
Attending Harper Adams University and having completed a year-long placement in Cheshire, Katie graduated in 2022 with a BSc (Hons) degree in Rural Enterprise and Land Management.
Katie joined Davidson & Robertson (D&R) in 2022, gaining valuable experience as a Graduate Surveyor. Locally, she has built up a strong reputation in property management for a range of traditional and non-traditional clients. She looks after clients with land and property portfolios across the region and has been instrumental in supporting clients affected by the mandatory short-term let licensing legislation brought in by the Scottish Government in October 2023.
Commenting on her new qualification Niall Milner, D&R Director and head of property & forestry said, “Katie is very diligent, level-headed and has a no-nonsense approach to problems.
“During her time with us, Katie has already built up a great deal of knowledge and experience. When we manage portfolios, we focus on how to get the best out of client properties. We often provide a non-executive overview to support the strategic business direction in addition to the ongoing support related to short-term lets, diversification, and, more recently, improving energy efficiencies and energy generation, something that clients are eager to explore.
“Katie has proven to be a very capable operator who works hard to get the best out of portfolios for our clients, so we are delighted she has attained Chartered Surveyor status, it vindicates her professional capability and achievements.
Commenting on her new Chartered Surveyor status, Katie said “The wide range of practical experiences and exposure to different areas of the business within my first year at D&R has greatly extended my agricultural and professional knowledge, enabling success in my APC.
I am very proud to have established myself within the Property and Forestry team at D&R, where I thrive on the variety of different challenges estate and property management offers.
“Every day is different, and I particularly enjoy being involved in a variety of different projects whilst still acting for the same client, allowing me to develop long-term relationships – especially as there are so many legislative changes and new opportunities always presenting themselves. It’s important to keep up to date, it’s something our clients expect, and it means I am always learning more.”
Katie is now working to become a Fellow of the Central Association of Agricultural Valuers and the Scottish Agricultural Arbiters & Valuers Association.
Outside of work, Katie plays netball for Stewartry Netball Club and volunteers as a Marine Mammal Medic with British Divers Marine Life Rescue (DMLR).
For more information about property portfolio opportunities contact Katie Kolita or Niall Milner on 01556 50 22 70 or email kek@drrural.co.uk.
