1. When did you qualify as a chartered surveyor?

I qualified in 1986, having done the RICS minerals qualification and completed the necessary 4000 hours underground to become a colliery surveyor. I also have an honours degree in Estate Management from the University of Reading, so I moved to that side of the industry when I realised the coalfields were closing.

I became an assistant estates manager for British Coal South Yorkshire, and then the estates manager for Leicestershire Health Authority. Later, I set up a private practice and ran my own estate agency and chartered surveying company with a business partner.

2. What attracted you to the profession?

Initially, my interest in building pathology and civil engineering attracted me. When I found out British Coal paid twice as much as civil engineering and building surveying companies, I went that route!

3. What do you enjoy most about your job?

I really enjoy the variety – not one day, or one property, is the same as another. And, I’m not tied to a desk. 

4. How long have you worked for the Spicerhaart group?

I’ve been with Spicerhaart for 10-and-a-half years and started at the Leicester office. I’ve been home-based since 2008.

5. Reveal something interesting about yourself

I’ve represented England at both swimming and football.

I played for two years as a professional footballer with Leicester City and then spent 15 years playing as a semi-pro with a variety of clubs. I didn’t like the uncertainty of full time football and besides, I’d spent time becoming qualified and saw surveying as my career.

6. What’s the most unusual property you’ve inspected?

It was a new-build in Northampton, when “eco houses” had started being produced. Basically, it was a greenhouse with turf on the roof and a large extractor terminal for the bio heating system: it looked like something the Teletubbies would live in! Needless to say, it was declined for mortgage.

7. What advice would you give to someone buying a property?

The best advice is to have a survey and not rely on just a mortgage valuation.

8. Why do you think it’s important for a mortgage lender to instruct an inspection?

Mortgage lenders need to have an inspection to prevent fraudulent activity, and to confirm the property is free of major defects and will provide security for the loan.

An Automated Valuation Model (AVM) may provide them with a rough valuation, but each property is unique. An inspection makes the lender fully aware of any likely problems or suspicious activity.