The launch of the RICS ‘Surveying the Future Campaign’ brings into focus the low levels of women and minorities working in rural professions such as Rural Surveyors. Traditionally a profession dominated by middle class men, the campaign aims to highlight the career opportunities for all groups in society. However, it appears times are already changing within the profession, with more women than ever before making a career for themselves in Chartered Surveying.
Women are making an increasing impact on the industry, certainly within H&H Land and Property.
Helen Russell, MRICS FAAV, of H&H Land and Property has been in the industry for 9 years, beginning as an Assistant Rural Surveyor and working her way up to become an Associate Director of the firm at just 31 years old.
After studying Psychology at Manchester University Helen decided she wanted to pursue a different path and joined the family Chartered Surveying firm, completing a correspondent course Post Graduate Diploma in Surveying at Reading University. Balancing work and studying was a challenge for Helen, who says ‘It was incredibly tough to work full time whilst studying in order to have the qualifications I needed to create a career in the industry. I’m so proud of myself for achieving that goal, all the studying paid off!’
Having spent nearly 10 years at all levels of the industry, Helen is in a unique position to understand the reality of being a woman in a profession where only 13% of chartered surveyors are female. In Helen’s experience however, things are changing; ‘Up until a few years ago I was the only woman in the room. Now things are different and in my office women make up 75% of employees. Although this is unusual I think it’s a sign of things to come and the ratio will even out’.
Helen is now incredibly keen to promote Chartered Surveying as a career, saying that the variety of her work ensures she is constantly looking forward to coming into work. ‘I could be off into the wilds of Northumberland National Park enjoying some of the most magnificent views in the world and talking to farmers, valuing a rural tourism attraction such as a wildlife parks, assisting with planning for a new development with National House builders, or I could be attending one of our major events meeting clients. No two days are ever the same.’
H&H Land and Property, who have offices in Carlisle and Durham runs a graduate recruitment scheme with Harper Adams University, taking on several students every year to work in the industry. This gives students high value work experience with a huge diversity of roles.
Emma Smith and Jess Graham, 20, are both currently on the H&H Land and Property graduate scheme. Like Helen, both girls believe the industry is changing and becoming less male dominated, saying ‘there was definitely no difference in the way we were treated and the course was structured in a way that did not benefit one gender over another. We both love it here and it’s helped us to decide where our passions truly lie within the industry’.
Tim Parsons, Director of H&H Land and Property believes that this approach is essential to maintaining the quality of employees ‘We are part of the H&H Group PLC and the company as a whole recruits on the talent of the individual, we have a high number of female staff this includes our auctioneering business, Rural Insurance Business and Surveying.
