The Duchy of Lancaster is a private estate held in trust for the current and future Sovereigns. It comprises over 18,000 hectares of land across England and Wales, including a diverse mix of commercial , agricultural , and residential properties.
The Duchy is committed to the protection, preservation, and enhancement of its estates, with an ambition to become one of the most respected let landed estates in the country. This ethos underpins everything we do.
ROLE OVERVIEW
Beach Baker are working in partnership with the Duchy of Lancaster who are seeking a highly skilled and motivated Senior Building Surveyor to lead the Building Services function across the Duchy’s rural portfolio, which includes both historic and modern properties. This role is responsible for managing the Planned Preventative Maintenance (PPM) programme, delivering building projects, and providing expert advice on all building -related matters. You will also lead a team of three Building Surveyors and work closely with internal stakeholders and external consultants.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
• Project Leadership: Manage a range of building projects from inception to completion, including capital works (e.g., barn conversions), refurbishments, and maintenance. Coordinate external consultants such as planning advisors, structural engineers, and M&E specialists.
• Professional Services: Conduct building inspections and surveys, prepare schedules of condition and dilapidations, develop specifications of work, and advise on building defects and remedial actions.
• Budgeting & Planning: Develop multi -year budgets and realistic delivery programmes for building works.
• Contract Management: Administer contracts, including tendering, procurement, and oversight of construction activities.
• Regulatory Compliance: Act as Principal Designer, ensuring full compliance with Building Regulations, CDM Regulations, health & safety, fire safety, and other statutory requirements.
• Team Leadership: Mentor and support the Building Surveying team and administrative staff, fostering a highperformance culture.
• Client Engagement: Serve as the main point of contact for the Duchy Rural team, delivering a responsive and high -quality surveying service.
• Service Development: Define service standards, identify training needs, assess equipment requirements, and ensure regulatory compliance for the in -house service.
• Performance Monitoring: Implement systems to track service delivery and performance and recommend improvements where necessary.
The Duchy would like someone that could fulfil the role of Principal Designer.
Purpose: To assess the competence of individuals or organisations being considered for appointment as Principal Designer under both Building Regulations (PDBR) and CDM Regulations (PDCDMR) for Duchy of Lancaster projects.
Regulatory Context: Highlights the legal changes introduced by the Building Safety Act 2022 and Building Regulations 2023, distinguishing duties under CDM (health & safety focus) and Building Regs (design compliance focus).
Client Expectations: The Duchy must appoint competent Principal Designers and conduct due diligence until professional registers are fully established.
Evidence Required: Applicants must provide proof of qualifications, experience, insurance, professional memberships, and compliance history, including adherence to PAS 8671 standards.
Health & Safety & Communication: Emphasis on continual improvement, collaboration, leadership in H&S, and effective communication with stakeholders and subconsultants.
SKILLS & EXPERIENCE
Professional Accreditation: Chartered Member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) or equivalent.
Experience: Minimum of 5 years post-qualification experience in commercial building surveying.
Technical Expertise : Strong knowledge of building surveying practices, construction legislation, and property maintenance.
Project Management: Demonstrated ability to plan, budget, and manage resources effectively.
Health & Safety: Solid understanding of health and safety regulations and best practices.
Financial Acumen: Up-to-date knowledge of building costs and proven ability to prepare accurate budgets.
Communication: Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to convey technical information clearly.
Leadership: Proven ability to lead, mentor, and develop a team.
Commercial Insight: Awareness of the commercial dynamics of property development and asset management.
Digital Proficiency: Skilled in Microsoft Office, Microsoft Project, and relevant surveying software.
ESTATES
The holdings of the Duchy of Lancaster are administered in eight separate units, known as Surveys.
There are five Rural Surveys (Cheshire, Lancashire, Staffordshire, Yorkshire and Southern), covering 44,748 acres of land in England and Wales. These lands and properties have been acquired by the Duchy over seven centuries, historically through marriage, inheritance, gift and forfeiture. Nowadays, the process is one of purchase and sale.
In addition to its rural assets, the Duchy owns a number of retail, commercial/industrial and business properties. Together these form the Urban Survey. While rural holdings form the majority of the estate in terms of value and area, the commercial assets, particularly those in valuable locations such as central London, make the major contribution to the income of the Duchy.
Including a wide diversity of agricultural, commercial and miscellaneous property, the Foreshore Survey extends from the river Mersey in the south to Barrow-in-Furness in the north. Part of the Duchy’s ancient inheritance, it reflects the former boundary of the County Palatine.
The Minerals Survey extends from South Wales to North Yorkshire and consists of limestone and sandstone quarries, which supply material to the UK construction sector, as well as a mine supplying gypsum to the cement industry. In addition to these active quarries, the Duchy benefits from extensive manorial mineral interests beneath the historic land holdings.
Planet
31% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 energy consumption, compared to 2021 –22 baseline.
Over 95% of electricity used in Duchy properties is renewable.
90+% of construction waste was recycled on completed projects during 2024 –25.
Over 2 kilometres of hedgerow planted in Staffordshire in 2024.
Solar panels installed at Lancaster Castle, along with other existing installations across the estate delivering over 20 tonnes of annual carbon savings.
50% of arable farmed acres use minimum tillage or direct drill methods.
75% of pool cars are plug-in hybrids.
Scope 3 emissions High -level initial calculation performed, now moving to detailed validation in 2025–26.
People
30 tenants and local stakeholders attended a talk by regenerative farming pioneer Gabe Brown at Whitewell estate.
Ongoing series of ‘Pie and Pint’ nights encouraging tenants to share best practice and developing local community relationships.
Wellbeing Provision extension of staff benefits to encourage wellbeing and healthy lifestyles and provision of support networks amongst rural tenants.
Delivery of Community Hub in Dunsop Bridge is under way, with post office, café, farm shop, community space and arboretum all planned through funding from charitable grants from The Duke of Lancaster’s Foundation.
Continued support to local communities and charities via the Duchy of Lancaster Benevolent Fund, with over £473,000 of grants made in year.
Performance
Sustainability metrics built into decision -making processes. Over 80% of our largest suppliers have provided sustainability policies, which we are now incorporating into a revised sustainable procurement policy.
Investment in sustainability initiatives to decrease tenant energy usage.
Architectural pattern books delivered for all Surveys, providing clear guidance on best practice.
Focus on energy efficiency improvements through planned maintenance and turnaround expenditure when properties become vacant.
Restoration £5m project to protect the 12thcentury Keep at Lancaster Castle under way through funding from charitable grants from The Duke of Lancaster’s Foundation. This will also provide a significant groundfloor public -access area.
