ADVERTISING FEATURE
DUNCAN BALL
ANGELA DUNLOP
SYNERGY CONSTRUCTION AND PROPERTY CONSULTANTS LLP 01225 461704; www.synergyllp.co.uk What do you specialise in? I am a chartered quantity surveyor with a particular expertise in cost management, for repair and alteration works to buildings of historic or architectural importance. My clients include a number of the country’s Cathedrals, such as St Paul’s, for whom I am the retained Quantity Surveyor; The National Trust, to whom I provide cost management on its estates, including Dyrham, The Vyne and St Michael’s Mount. In addition, many private individuals and trusts instruct me to provide cost and project management on their private dwellings and buildings, ranging from humble cottages to castles.
SENIOR ASSOCIATE SOLICITOR – HEAD OF CONVEYANCING, WATKINS SOLICITORS 01225 904804; www.watkinssolicitors.co.uk What part of your work do you enjoy? I love my job. I am very passionate about conveyancing. I enjoy acting for all different types of people and achieving a successful conclusion. There is nothing better than informing clients that they can move into their dream home. Tell us something about yourselves and why people should contact you? We are a local firm serving local people with a wide variety of services. As well as conveyancing, we are able to assist with employment issues, the making of a Will, education matters and relationship breakdowns. We are personable and pride ourselves in putting our clients first. We talk to clients using clear language so that we can help them every step of the way in what can be an important time in their lives. What is the secret of good conveyancing? There is no real secret, but there are a number of factors that help. Communication, organisation and the use of technology are as important as legal expertise. A good communicator can help hold the chain together, leading to a successful conclusion. Organisation is crucial, as there are lots of hoops to jump through. We use technology such as case management and the ability to work remotely which helps speed up communication.
Duncan Ball
What misconceptions do people have about quantity surveyors? Although I provide key financial and procurement advice to my clients and other professionals, many people – including my wife – believe all I do is ‘count bricks.’ What is your favourite Bath property that you have worked on? Having worked in Bath for almost 30 years, I have been lucky enough to work on some of its most iconic buildings, including Beckford’s Tower, Elton House and the Assembly Rooms. My favourite building though is one of my current projects, Bath Abbey – when the light is right, there is no better place to be than sitting in the Nave, looking up at the magnificent vaulted ceiling.
Angela Dunlop
MARK VINCENT
ALEXA VOISEY
01225 581591; www.mvsurveying .co.uk What do you love most about working in property? The wide variety of fascinating properties I get to work in, meeting the most interesting people from all sorts of backgrounds and professions. Bath seems to draw in exceptionally talented people.
01225 482 225; www.bathholidayrentals.com What was your first job I grew up in Canada and my first job was waitressing in a restaurant. I started at the age of 13 and during my five years there, 12 hour shifts were very much the norm – from a young age I learned what it meant to work hard. It taught me to juggle many things at one time, as I was also on sports teams, and of course, full-time school. Canada is known for its hospitality and I do feel all the years of working in a hospitality industry has helped me with making Bath Holiday Rentals a success.
MARK VINCENT SURVEYING
What key bit of advice would you give to a client? Seek out independent estate agents and professionals who have lived and worked locally for a long time, and can give you honest and pragmatic advice about the area you wish to move to. A survey can provide a rational balance to what otherwise might be a costly emotional purchase. How has the Bath property market changed in the last few years? There has been a large influx of people moving here from London and the home counties, which has had an impact on prices. The fall in the value of the pound has also led to an increase in ex-pats buying property in the city, helping Bath to remain a buoyant market compared to many. What part of the work do you particularly enjoy? Receiving genuine thanks from clients who are grateful for the impartial advice on the property, enabling them to make a reasoned decision on their purchase.
144 MEDIACLASH.CO.UK
BATH HOLIDAY RENTALS
Mark Vincent
What do you specialize in? Four and five star self-catering properties. When I started the business 12 years ago self-catering had a bad name for itself as there were so many run down properties. I wanted to try to help change the perception by only taking on luxury properties, so insisted all of my properties are four and five star. They get inspected annually by Visit England Tourist Board to ensure they maintain their rating.
Alexa Voisey
What is your favourite part of the job? Interacting with the guests and seeing so many incredible properties in Bath. I love the people aspect of this business. Many of our guests return many times to our properties and some have been coming annually since I started in 2006. I love building those relationships. I have also been fortunate to see hundreds of properties in Bath over the years. Bath has the most incredible architecture, making it easy to offer our guests truly fabulous places to stay.