Senior agent reveals ‘tough challenge’ of getting into RICS
DM Hall's Jennifer Campbell reveals year-long struggle to juggle senior-level work, study and home life while seeking to gain RICS approval.
Estate agency DM Hall’s head of rural has successfully juggled study, work and family life to gain RICS membership after working for 20 years in the sector.
Jennifer Campbell was accepted onto the RICS senior professional assessment programme just over a year ago and admits it was one of the toughest challenges she’s ever faced.
She explains that although anyone thinking of following in her footsteps would have to be extremely well-organised with exceptional family and child support to balance the rigours of full-time work and study squeezed into a single year, she wants to inspire fellow agents.
“I hope my journey will be helpful to others in the property sector who are operating at a senior level with years of experience but have not ventured along the path of formal qualifications,” says Campbell.
Challenging
Senior partner of Scottish firm DM Hall, Alan Gordon, adds: “I know it took a huge effort and was very challenging, so it really is a great credit to her to come through successfully with the MRICS qualification. Jennifer does a brilliant job as our head of rural agency and we have always known that she would make a first-class chartered surveyor.”
Campbell has worked in rural sales, land searches and for strategic development sites across Scotland and is currently responsible for the agency department of Baird Lumsden, the firm’s rural arm.
The industry is still waiting for news about minimum standards and qualifications proposals as the government has yet to implement recommendations in the final report on the Regulation of Property Agents, almost three years since it was first announced.
