GSC Grays Land Management Graduate & Placement Recruitment 2023

WE ARE GSC GRAYS

THE RURAL LAND & PROPERTY SPECIALISTS

GSC Grays is a firm of chartered surveyors, land and estate agents operating throughout the UK, but principally within the North of England.

We offer a fresh, dynamic and professional approach when it comes to providing clients with expertise and practical advice that they can rely on. We are driven to exceed client expectations and achieve the best outcome. We are excited about what we do.

Our people are our greatest asset - we are connected by a passion for the countryside and supporting the rural communities in which we live and work. We are proud of what we achieve together and we want you to be part of it.

We have built an exceptional reputation through our service and results over the last 11 years, which has led to the significant and rapid growth of the business. It’s important to us that we continue to foster the next generation, which is why we offer opportunities for placement students and graduates to gain invaluable and hands on experience with us.

We want to provide you with a snapshot of the work we do and what you can expect to be part of in 2023 and beyond. I hope that this provides you with the inspiration and desire to apply for one of our roles.

GUY COGGRAVE

THE ROLES ON OFFER

GRADUATE LAND AGENTS PLACEMENT STUDENTS / SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITY

Due to the continued growth of the business, we are looking to recruit Rural Practice Surveyors to join our Estate, Farms and Land Departments at our offices in Alnwick, Barnard Castle, Boroughbridge, Chester-le-Street, Driffield, Kendal and Penrith.

This is an excellent opportunity for both graduates and placement students seeking a career within the rural sector whilst also making a meaningful contribution to the growth and development of an expanding business.

The roles will involve working as part of a dynamic team and offer the successful candidates a mix of challenging and rewarding work, managing a diverse portfolio of private rural estates as well as undertaking general professional work. The roles provide experience in Property Management, Landlord & Tenant, Valuation, Land Use & Diversification, Agriculture, Forestry, Access & Rights of Way and Purchase & Sale.

We are looking for people who are comfortable with having a degree of autonomous working and are capable of completing work on time and to the highest of standards. The successful candidates are expected to be hard working and personable and have a mix of professional interests and a sound understanding of agriculture and the countryside.

The salary will be competitive, and candidates will be expected to start in summer 2023.

GRADUATE LAND AGENTS

The successful Graduate Land Agents will be offered permanent positions within the company and our commitment to supporting them through their professional qualifications.

PLACEMENT STUDENTS / SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITY

The successful candidate will work under the supervision of the Director within the Chesterle-Street office on a 12-month placement. In addition the company will make a contribution of £2,500 towards the successful scholarship applicant’s second year fees.

WE RECRUIT THE BEST

There was no hesitation when accepting the role as I had already experienced what the company had to offer and knew I would be re-joining a great team and progressive company.

Since my return, I have successfully passed my APC, combining all I learnt in my final year of University and the diverse experience I have gained at GSC Grays. The Directors and other colleagues take an active role in the professional development of both placement students and graduates. With APC assessors within the company and a comprehensive support programme in place, there is always help available. After lots of hard work, I went into my assessment knowing I was fully prepared.

Whilst I have always felt like a trusted and valued member of the team, now that I am fully qualified, I have the opportunity to work with increasing autonomy, which adds to my confidence. I am now working towards my CAAV examinations and have been encouraged to attend tutorials and training events, all of which furthers my experience and ultimately the services I can confidently provide our clients.

Overall, I can whole-heartedly recommend GSC Grays as a great company to work for, both as a placement student and a graduate.”

“After a rewarding placement year in 2018/19 with the Valuations and Surveys department at GSC Grays, I was delighted to be offered a permanent Graduate position.

I started my role at one of our managed estates in County Durham. After six successful months assisting with the management of a diverse portfolio, there was an opportunity to move to our Alnwick office, where I am now located and continue to work in our Estate Management department in Northumberland.

The variety of work I undertake is diverse, assisting with the management of several estates for private clients. I have gained experience in the management of residential, agricultural, commercial and sporting property. I also undertake professional work such as acting on behalf of landowners affected by the forthcoming A1 Morpeth to Felton road upgrade scheme.

During my first twelve months at GSC Grays, I took the opportunity to sit my CAAV examinations. GSC Grays have a robust support programme in place, ensuring that graduates are in the best position to gain their professional accreditations.

With the CAAV examinations under my belt, I am now focusing on my Assessment of Professional Competence to become a chartered surveyor. Directors and senior members of staff have an active role in supporting graduates through this process.

I am looking forward to what the future holds.”

JAMIE JAY Graduate Surveyor

“After graduating from Harper Adams University in 2020, I joined GSC Grays as a Graduate Surveyor in February 2021.

Growing up in a small village in County Durham with a background of land agency, farming and fieldsports, I saw the position at GSC Grays as a great opportunity to start my professional career as a Graduate Land Agent.

The GSC Grays training programme was particularly appealing. Since starting, I have had support from various professionals and Directors within the company who are helping me through the APC process. I am confident that the multi-disciplinary departments that the company has to offer, along with the self-help groups and mentoring system, will comfortably provide me with the necessary experience for my chosen competencies. As such I am hoping to sit my CAAV examinations in Autumn 2023 and APC examinations in Autumn 2024.

Joining the Estate Management and Sporting Team has given me a unique insight into the day-to-day management of estates. It has provided me with experience of the obstacles to overcome and opportunities to learn and thrive in the role. I am very much looking forward to using this experience and my professional development to provide a dynamic service to our clients.

There is a sociable side to GSC Grays with many opportunities to attend social events as a graduate. I would highly recommend that any graduates looking for a career in Land Management or Surveying in the North to apply for a role at GSC Grays.”

HENRY GRAY Graduate Land Agent

“I joined GSC Grays in the summer of 2022 having just graduated from The Royal Agricultural University at Cirencester.

OUR APPROACH TO TRAINING

At GSC Grays we take the development of our people seriously. We will provide anyone looking to pursue a professional qualification with a wide range of experience to help them reach their goal.

We have a dedicated training committee within the business, with representatives from each department, to ensure that all training needs are met. Senior members of our team are also on hand to help with training and key specialisms, as required.

We provide a structured career plan which will support you beyond gaining your qualification. We actively encourage Graduate Land Agents to sit their CAAV examinations and provide the neccesary support to achieve this.

For those studying for their APC and CAAV, we ensure that they gain the greatest possible depth of experience, both practically and vocationally, with our peerled internal self-help group and external training opportunities. We also provide structured guidance from APC Assessors and mock interviews leading up to the final assessment.

CAREER PROGRESSION ON MERIT

JOHN WALLIS Rural Director HELEN SIMPSON Rural Associate Director

APR 2013 Whilst working for a farm building fabricator John does a week’s work experience with the Sporting Director at the Leyburn office.

JULY 2013 Takes up position as Assistant Land Agent with GSC Grays - Leyburn.

SEPT 2013 Enrol on Distance Learning Rural Surveying diploma through the College of Estate Management alongside role at GSC Grays.

APR 2014 Working under the Sporting Director, John is given responsibility to aid the management of a large number of diverse estates across the North of England.

JULY 2015 Complete Rural Surveying Diploma and promoted to Graduate Surveyor at GSC Grays - Richmond.

DEC 2015 John is given t responsibility to lead on the management of a 10,000 acre estate near Barnard Castle, reporting directly to the client.

SEPT 2016 Sam Cole starts his placement position as John’s assistant.

MAY 2017 Passed APC on first sitting and promoted to Rural Surveyor.

SEPT 2017 Through a GSC Grays contract, John is offered the role of Estate Manager for the Raby Estate in County Durham, based in their Estate Office at Staindrop

APR 2018 John is made an Associate Director of the Professional Services Board at GSC Grays.

AUG 2019 John is made Rural Associate Director.

JAN 2020 John moves to the Easingwold office to help build the Southern Land Agency team.

APR 2020 Rory Hodgson joins GSC Grays as Graduate Surveyor working in John’s team.

OCT 2020 John takes on the responsibility for a number of large renewable energy projects in the North of England alongside his existing estate management roles.

NOV 2020 John is made Rural Director.

MAR 2022 Will Pheasey joins John’s team as a Qualified Surveyor.

APR 2022 John is made Chair of the Estate Management, Rural Land & Business and Sporting Board.

AUG 2010 Whilst at sixth form Helen undertakes a week’s work experience with the company Chairman.

JULY 2015 Helen graduates from Harper Adams University and takes up a position as a Graduate Surveyor based at the Lambton Estate Office.

JAN 2016 Working under the Chairman, Helen is given responsibility to aid the management of a number of estates within County Durham & Cumbria.

NOV 2016 Helen passes the Central Association of Agricultural Valuers (CAAV) examinations.

FEB 2017 Helen moves to the Colburn office to assist the Managing Director and a Director with the day to day management of rural estates in County Durham and North Yorkshire, as well as assisting with general professional work.

SEPT 2017 Helen is given responsibility to lead with the management of the residential property portfolio on a large rural estate in East Yorkshire, reporting directly to the client.

NOV 2017 Helen passes her RICS Assessment of Professional Competence (APC) on first sitting and is promoted to Rural Surveyor.

MAY 2018 The Estate Management Department take on the management of a 1,000 acre estate in North Yorkshire. Helen reports to a Director as well as directly to the client.

FEB 2019 Helen moves to the Easingwold office, continuing to focus predominantly on Estate Management work within North and East Yorkshire.

NOV 2020 Helen is made Senior Surveyor.

FEB 2021 Helen is instructed to manage a private landlords residential property portfolio in North Yorkshire.

JUNE 2022 Helen takes on the management of two further residential property portfolios and moves to the Boroughbridge office to continue to develop business in North and East Yorkshire.

AUG 2022 Helen is made a Rural Associate Director.

WORK HARD, PLAY HARD!

There are many opportunities to take part in staff socials, whether as part of a company-wide event, or organised by individual offices and/or teams.