Here are the finalists for the Surveying category

Luke Brooker - EC Harris

Luke is a Project Manager at EC Harris in London.  He only spent a few months at the organisation as an Assistant Project Manager before being promoted when his skills and ability to manage complex projects unaided was recognised.  He is particularly proud of his current resident lead project for Camden Council, valued over £18m, which he is the project manager for.

Having struggled to work at the same rate as his peers at school his Dyslexia was not recognised. Whilst completing an electrical installation apprenticeship at college his tutor suggested he attend a Dyslexia screening and he was subsequently diagnosed, which Luke believes was a key turning point for him in his career. 

He has since attended night school to achieve his A levels, which enabled Luke to study a Building Surveying Degree at Kingston University. Luke then completed a full time Master’s Degree, whilst working full-time for Kingston Council as a surveyor. In his spare time he is an adult volunteer for the Air Cadet Organisation, working with young people to develop their leadership, management and exposure to military and civilian life. He is also a member of the RICS London Matrics and has previously acted as the Sponsorship chairman.

Ross Harris - Solomons Europe

Ross is a Consultant Quantity Surveyor for Solomon’s Europe in Sheffield. He started his career as a trainee technical assistant at Parsons Brinckerhoff. He quickly progressed, gaining a Higher National Certificate in Management and Business.

Ross was the first person in his family to go to university, and even though juggling a job and study were challenging, he achieved his Quantity Surveying degree after 7 years of part-time study. Growing up he was in the Army Cadet Force which he credits with giving him a lot of confidence, he therefore then went on to become an Adult Sergeant Instructor himself, supporting the next generation of young people to develop skills and grow their confidence.


Jagdip Hayer - Berkeley Homes

Jagdip is a Graduate Quantity Surveyor for Berkeley Homes in Rugby. Jagdip moved to England from India without his parents when he was eleven years old. With the support of Berkeley Homes Jagdip is now studying for his Masters in Construction Economics and Management. He is determined to “make his name in the industry” and champion the importance of reducing the impact of construction to the environment we live in.


Arron Howell - AECOM

Arron is a Project Quantity Surveyor for Aecom in Bristol; having been raised and educated there he is extremely passionate about the city and the construction there.

One of his proudest moments is being asked to be on of the Lead Cost Consultants on the Bristol Arena project, despite still being very early in his career.

He has been asked by the University of the West of England to give a presentation to their students about how to make a successful career in construction. He is also currently an NVQ supervisor for a trainee Quantity Surveyor; supporting her with her studies and providing her with teaching sessions. He is passionate about supporting more young people into the sector and helping them to build their professional networks through Gearing for Change Group which he was helped to set up.


Alex Lilly - Ward Williams Associates

Alex is a Principle Building Surveyor at Ward Williams Associates based in Cornwell. He is most proud for achieving his MRICS and for undertaking some of the most important surveying projects in Cornwall and all over the UK despite having to deal with dyslexia and the loss of his much loved father, who was an architect, at a young age. 

He is highly involved in voluntary work including cycling and taking part to marathons for charitable purposes, giving lectures to young students on surveying and teaching Army cadets. Devoted to helping other people to progress within the industry, he was made APC doctor by the RCIS and is currently supporting young surveyors to achieve their goals. 


Dylan Shankland - North Ayrshire Council

Dylan is Shadow Contract Performance Supervisor for the Building Services of North Ayrshire Council and a student of Quantity Surveying at the Caledonian University in Glasgow. His proudest achievement is co-ordinating and delivering the new Housing Schedule of Rates, a project that led him to enhance his skills and experience in the sector. Starting as an apprentice plasterer he was led to pursue a career in surveying after an accident that restricted him to carry out manual labour.

He is proud of being part of the door step crime initiative, helping the police trace illegal contractors and he has offered his skills to the benefit of his community by helping in the renovation of a historical site.