Graduates Take First Step On Career Ladder

With a clear aim to nurture the next generation, H&H Land & Estates  (HHLE) has today welcomed two new graduate surveyors to the team. John Wigham has joined the Borderway office in Carlisle, and Olivia Barker has joined the office in Kendal. 

 

John Wigham, who has joined the team at Borderway on a full-time basis, is a fourth-generation farmer who grew up on a mixed stock farm near Laversdale. He earned BSc Hons in Rural Studies from Newcastle University from which he graduated last year and is currently working towards his MRICS qualification with the support of H&H Land & Estates.  

 

In taking up his position John said: “I have joined H&H Land & Estates at what is an interesting time for Agriculture. As we move towards the sustainable farming incentive, there are going to be big changes for the industry and it will be important for farmers to find the ideal balance between environmental stewardship, along with ensuring long-term profitability and the continuity of producing high quality British produce. Coming from a farming background I look forward to supporting those working in the industry and on a personal note, I eventually look forward to becoming chartered whilst simultaneously working on the family farm.” 

 

Born and brought on a beef and sheep farm in the Yorkshire Dales, Olivia Barker was awarded BA (Hons) in Business and Management from the University of York and has gone on to work towards an MSc in Rural Estate Management with the Royal Agricultural University. She will initially be working on a part-time basis in the Kendal office until she completes her Masters dissertation, after which she will move to full-time employment. 

 

“I am excited to join H&H Land and Estates as a Graduate Surveyor at this exciting time of change and I am looking forward to supporting farmers through the introduction of ELMs and the opportunities and challenges this may bring. I will be supporting our specialist teams on a variety of tasks within both the agricultural and residential property sectors. Furthermore, I am excited to continue to progress academically and gain my status as a Chartered Surveyor.” said Olivia.  

 

As a business H&H are keen to support and encourage the next generation to work in the industry, and part of this is to provide employment for new graduates both during and post-university.  

 

Commenting on the drive to employ more graduates Thomas Armstrong, Director and Chartered Surveyor at H&H Land & Estates said: “We are delighted to welcome two new faces to our string of graduates who have all gone on to establish successful careers as chartered surveyors. Some of our previous graduates have undertaken work placements with before joining us full time after university and we are always very proud to see them go on to achieve great things. We are looking forward to supporting John and Olivia on their career path, nurturing their talent and ambition and providing opportunities that allow them to follow their ambitions.” 

 

HHLE has established itself as one of the leading chartered surveyors, estate and lettings agents and valuers operating across the north of England and this drive to support the future of not only the company, but the industry as a whole, has allowed it to expand and grow, offering graduates unrivalled opportunities to establish and cultivate their career. 

 

The company has seen its graduates go on to achieve great things, including receiving the Talbot Ponsonby Award for the highest CAAV marks in the country which has been won by two HHLE employees, Leanne Graves and Tim Sedgewick in the last five years. The extra support is also very welcome to assist with an increased demand across all six of the company’s offices, with particular pressure points throughout the year including BPS and Countryside Stewardship deadlines. 

 

Thomas concludes: “We are a progressive and forward-thinking company and bringing in new blood helps us keep invigorating and supporting our clients to the best of our ability. We also appreciate how daunting it can be leaving university without the security of a position, and hope that we can support many more ambitious young surveyors in the future.”