As we head into the final weeks of the year, I’m feeling reflective and would like to say a big thank you to all my family, friends, clients, colleagues, contacts and mentors for their support during 2021. It’s been another strange year with lots of twists and turns for many of us, which for me has once again highlighted the importance of our community, networks and all the fab people who support and inspire us. Whatever your plans this festive season, I hope you too can take a moment to rest and reflect on what you’re grateful for, and I wish you all happy and peaceful holidays.

In no particular order – except for this first one ;) – I’d like to thank:

My wife Kathy and our daughter Jemima: it’s certainly been a tough one with the loss of our beloved dog Ella, our cat Bella and most recently my much-loved father in law Jim Hughes who we’ll miss a great deal. Thank you for being there through it all and for your ongoing love and support.
My mentors Brian Robinson, a RICS assessor and retired building surveyor, and Marion Ellis, an experienced surveyor and founder of The Surveyor Hub podcast: thank you for your invaluable support and guidance over the past year, which has helped me learn, grow and evolve my professional practise.

The hugely influential Professor Malcom Hollis, who sadly passed away this year. Malcom was one of the most respected chartered surveyors in our profession and he will be greatly missed. He leaves behind a legacy of wonderful books including the industry bible “Surveying Buildings”, and I’m honoured to have assisted Marion Ellis and Malcolm’s wife Andrea with the preparation of Malcom’s private property library for auction and sale. The money raised will be donated to Lionheart, the charity for RICS professionals and their families.

My peer support, “Surveyor Huddle” friends – Daniel Hindson, Vanessa Hardwick and Aaron & Emma McCluskey – our WhatsApp group and in-person meet ups have been a great source of learning, fun and inspiration: thank you for all your inputs and friendship.

The good people in my networking group at BNI Nightingale: thank you for all your referrals and business insights over the past 12 months. I have thoroughly enjoyed getting to know you and our trip to the Isle of Wight in October, complete with my cold dip in the sea, was a particular highlight.

The clients I’ve worked with this year: I’m incredibly grateful for all your business and positive reviews. Thank you for trusting me to assist with your property purchase.

All the kind people who refer my property surveying and valuation services and send work my way, including Paul Ahearn and Nick Samuels at Samuel Estates, and John Hamilton at Setfords Solicitors.
My support team for their incredible inputs and assistance over the last 12 months: to Matt Shearing for design and web support, to Safiya Juma for copywriting and blogs, to Nina Needham for secretarial work, and to Naomi Gould who joined the RM Surveyors team this year to provide business management support.

I look forward to seeing you all and to many more adventures together in 2022

Roo.

My gratitude list for 2021