Hazel Morris DipBldgCons MRICS
1: Introduction
I have always loved buildings and the built environment. I love travelling around seeing how others live and work. I love meeting new people and hearing their stories. So, being a Chartered Surveyor is the ideal profession for me.
I have had a varied career. I joined the Knight Frank & Rutley Commercial Valuations team 1976 and in the evenings studied with the College of Estate Management, becoming chartered in 1981. This route suited me well. I learnt a lot from my colleagues and by the time I had my first child I had gained enough experience to allow me to work part-time; this was highly unusual back in 1984.
In 1986, I had my second child and went to live in the Ivory Coast, West Africa, where my husband’s job as a coca trader had taken him.
On my return I worked as a residential valuer in the local office of Knight Frank. I also did a technical drawing course.
After my third child was born in 1992, I studied for the RICS Diploma in Building Conservation. I set up as a sole practitioner advising on listed building consents and planning applications in conservation areas, acting as an expert witness and recording and researching historic buildings.
In 1999, I returned to work at Knight Frank, becoming a Partner in the Valuation and Advisory team. I valued commercial properties in all sectors throughout the UK, for a myriad of purposes and a wide range of clients, including property companies, banks, funds and owner-occupiers, for financial reporting, fund unit pricing, loan security purposes, IPO’s, corporate transactions, etc. I also undertook litigation work, mostly in defence of valuers, but also in connection with transactions where information was disputed.
In 2022, I retired from paid work, but I am still involved with property. I am an active member of the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings, I am a Trustee of the Surrey Historic Buildings Trust, and I volunteer for the London Parks and Gardens Trust.
2: Why do I stay connected to the RICS?
I have enjoyed my career, and none of it would have been possible without the accreditation provided by the RICS. I am a retired member, so I do not undertake any paid work, but I can still call myself a Chartered Surveyor. This carries weight and respect for my charitable work. Also, having strived to achieve my qualification, I am proud to remain part of our profession, and I am loathe to give it up.
I am always eager to help others to also have a fulfilling and enjoyable career. I enjoy the company and enthusiasm of young people, so I am happy to offer encouragement and even advice, if required.
3: My specific skills
My valuation skills were learnt over many years. To be a reliable and successful valuer takes experience and knowledge. You need to understand economics, as well as the property market to be able to advise investors. Economics was a major part of the College of Estate Management course. I have always appreciated the importance of understanding how an economy works.
Other necessary skills, for example the use of valuation software, were acquired at Knight Frank. By working at a large valuation house, you get the benefits of good in-house training.
The RICS Diploma in Building Conservation was an excellent and wide-ranging course, that covered the history of building, recording and conservation repairs. Importantly it also included the philosophy of building conservation. At the Surrey Historic Buildings Trust, we give out small grants to enable conservation work. It makes decisions about awarding grants easier if you can refer to your approach to the conservation of historic buildings.
4: The proudest moments of my career
This is difficult. I am proud of some of the difficult valuations that have been tested in the market, for example the south coast marinas transacted at our valuation. I am proud of the judge’s very favourable comments about my evidence in the High Court. I am proud that I earned the respect of my peers and that I still get calls from old clients asking for my opinion.
5: How do I stay motivated?
I think of property people as my tribe. When I retired I decided to bone up my other skills; I paint, with more enthusiasm than talent; I play tennis, but will never make the club team; I walk a lot, but I am frightened of scree. The only thing that I am good at property. I love going on-site, I love meeting skilled tradespeople, I love donning PPE and climbing a scaffold to discuss the pointing. I love industrial estates. I love watching what is going on in High Streets across the UK. I am lucky in that I have many friends who also enjoy all these things and don’t find my enthusiasm incomprehensible.
6: Advice to women who want to enter our profession
I have always thought of myself as a person first and a woman second. I think the days of ghastly innuendo and unwanted attention have largely passed. My plan was always to ignore poor behaviour, although this worked for me, I recognise that others may not be so lucky.
I am not sure that I am in a position to offer advice. Property is less male dominated than it was and many women hold senior positions and are highly respected. All I can suggest to all aspiring surveyors is to strive to be good at what you do and gain respect for your abilities.
7: Encouragement to students and the younger generation to take up a career in surveying and the built environment
This is the best and most diverse profession. I cannot recommend it enough; if you have a genuine interest in property and the built environment, there will be something for you. Not all aspects of the profession will make you rich, but, if you find the right sector, you will be rewarded by job satisfaction. And the friendship of your peers and clients.