Jack Pye Q&A – RICS Matrics Surveyor Awards Finalist.
The next Q&A in our series of interviews with residential property finalists for the RICS Matrics Surveyor Awards 2023 is with Jack Pye (MRICS), Director and Co-Founder of Novello Chartered Surveyors. Jack discovered his love for buildings after spending a lot of time around castles and stately homes during his time as a Professional Historical Re-enactor. During his interview, Jack tells us more about this and what he now loves most about running a surveying firm. Read on or click here to download our Q&A with Jack and keep an eye out for more case studies from other finalists over the coming days as we count down to the ceremony. The RICS Matrics Surveyor Awards ceremony will take place on Friday 20th October at The Londoner, Leicester Square.
What was your background before becoming a surveyor?
I‘ve wanted to be a surveyor from a fairly early age. Before becoming a surveyor, I worked as a Professional Historical Reenactor at various historic sites around the country. This would mainly involve demonstrations of archery and fighting in armour, together with some teaching and coaching others to shoot.
What made you consider surveying as your next career move?
Throughout my re-enactment career I had camped at a number of brilliant castles and stately homes and been lucky enough to see such beautiful buildings, which ignited my interest in property. I also spent a lot of time with my grandfather watching Homes Under the Hammer and Grand Designs, which gave me an introduction into risks, defects and building pathology as well as the future potential of properties and how they could be adapted and extended.
During my A-Levels a close relative had recently finished a degree in Building Surveying and was working at the local council as a conservation officer. After conversations with her about the degree course, I decided it sounded like an interesting career prospect.
What qualification route did you take and why?
In 2006, I made the decision to look into surveying and the routes into the profession. At the time, the only route I could find was university, so in 2008 I enrolled at the University of Brighton and did an undergraduate degree in Building Surveying. The course was accredited with RICS and I was able to enrol on the APC to gain Chartership.
What has been the highlight of your career so far?
Passing my APC and becoming Chartered was a big milestone for me, but in the last four years, I co-founded Novello Chartered Surveyors with my colleague James Brook FRICS, and together we have developed the business and grown to a team of 26. We have used the GoReport software to develop a range of surveying products with the goal of supplying our clients with clear and concise advice. Given the volume of positive reviews we have had since starting I would say we succeeded in this goal.
What do you love most about being a surveyor?
It is absolutely the variety of the work. No two buildings are the same so when you attend each survey there‘s always a bit of the unknown. A property might look fairly typical on paper, but it can be anything when you get there. It‘s a journey of discovery every time.
What’s the best part of running a surveying firm?
It sounds cliché but I think the work hard play hard mentality we have as a firm. We work incredibly hard to produce detailed but clear reports advising our clients, with follow up advice over the phone or in person to ensure that they receive the very best service from us. On the other hand we also try and have some down time.
In January we took the team skiing. In June we took a group down to Cornwall for some coasteering, kayaking and surfing, and in a few weeks we are taking everyone to Corfu for our annual review and strategy day.
What advice would you give to anyone thinking of joining the surveying profession?
Prior to investing in your training, get some shadowing experience because I think a lot of people don’t realise to what extent surveying is an ‘all-weathers’ job. If it’s raining, you still need to complete your survey! Shadowing gives you the opportunity to experience life as a surveyor in all weathers and really make sure it’s for you.
Is there anything you would change about your career journey so far?
Overall, I’m happy with where I am now. Sometimes I think, given the chance, I would have liked to have gained more exposure to the corporate surveying world. In a corporate environment, you tend to do a lot more surveys and valuations, and can absorb so much knowledge from them.
How does it feel to be a finalist in the RICS Matrics Surveyor Awards 2023?
I‘m completely surprised but feel very proud to have been shortlisted. It‘s a positive reflection on Novello and what we have achieved so far in the industry.
If you’re interested in being a surveyor, find out more about Sava’s vocational Diploma in Residential Surveying and Valuation. If you’d like to meet more of the finalists in the RICS Matrics Surveyor Awards 2023, take a look at our previous Q&A with Chris Moran.