DTZ in Birmingham is celebrating the achievement of a 100 per cent pass rate for team members studying the Assessment of Professional Competence (APC) to become qualified Chartered Surveyors.
Geoff Thomas, DTZ’s Birmingham-based regional chairman, said: “The APC is a rigorous, structured training programme, which we support through our own graduate development programme and mentoring scheme.
“But the training doesn’t stop here. DTZ places a great deal of emphasis on continuous professional development for all staff as this equips them with the right skills and knowledge to support clients.”
Elsewhere Lambert Smith Hampton (LSH) has expanded its planning and development team in Birmingham. Tim Holtham, who qualified from Nottingham Trent University with a BSc (Hons) in Planning and Property Development in 2007, was awarded the Savills award for ‘Excellent Performance in the Final Year’ and will specialise on planning issues.
The now five-strong department currently provides services to a number of significant clients including Northamptonshire County Council, the Prison Service, the Driving Standards Agency and various NHS trusts along with several private sector clients.
Stephen Hemming, Director within LSH’s Development and Planning team, said: “In joining our team Tim brings with him a range of experience which will further enhance the services we provide. We are now very well positioned to continue the growth and development of our business in an increasingly competitive marketplace.”
Also in the planning sector Lucy Wilson has been promoted to associate at Drivers Jonas LLP’s Birmingham office. Further strengthening the company’s Planning and Development team, Lucy’s promotion will see her take a leading role in ongoing projects for 2009, including a 45 acre sustainable commercial development at The Green in Solihull for client PRUPIM Developments and a major mixed use regeneration development in Bath for Multi Developments Ltd and Aviva (formerly Morley Fund Management).
The 36-year-old, who joined Drivers Jonas from Cotswold District Council in 2006, is looking forward to widening her project management skills in her new role.
She said: “The planning team in Birmingham continues to go from strength to strength and with tougher market conditions, increased responsibilities have naturally fallen to the senior members of the team. I am looking forward to using my new role to help junior members increase their skills and ensure that as a team we all play a key part in maintaining Drivers Jonas’ standing within the region.”
Gary Cardin, planning partner and head of the Birmingham office, added: “Lucy’s promotion is testament to her dedication to DJ and indicates our ongoing commitment to growing our full service offering across Birmingham and the Central region. The planning and development team is enjoying instructions across major regional and national projects and having Lucy working alongside two further associates is a major boost to the team.
“2009 is set to be a challenging year for everyone in the property industry and by identifying individuals internally for key senior roles, I’m confident we will maintain our enthusiasm for achieving success.”
An active member of the local community, Lucy has participated in several fundraising events for Drivers Jonas’ local charity, St Basils, including a 28 mile walk and the London Marathon this year, raising more than £2,000.
Since opening in Birmingham in 1998, Drivers Jonas has built up a prominent profile in consultancy expertise and won many new clients across London and the Midlands region. The office has grown from six people at its inception to 50 staff.
