Nurturing Talent At Caxtons

James Squire is on the verge of becoming a fully home-grown Chartered Surveyor, and where he leads, others are following.

When he joined Caxtons as an apprentice 10 years ago, James thought a university degree was a pipe dream. But this summer he hopes to be proudly displaying the coveted MRICS (Member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors) initials after his name.

Deborah Preston Associate Director HR & IT, comments that “For Caxtons there are clear advantages in training our own talent and bringing on existing members of staff to strengthen the team.

Talent spotting is a vital aspect of any business’s growth strategy, enabling organisations to cultivate and nurture talent from within. It’s about creating opportunities for professional
development, fostering a culture of continuous learning, and encouraging an environment where personal and professional growth thrive.

Often, individuals are unaware of the full extent of their skills or potential. By broadening their skill sets, employees can excel in areas they may never have considered pursuing. For example, we’ve seen an Accounts Clerk train to be a Chartered Surveyor, and I began my journey here as a Secretary, ultimately becoming an Associate Director of HR & IT and establishing the HR department.

Growing talent internally offers significant advantages. Employees already understand the business and its operations, making transitions into new roles smoother. This allows them to focus on mastering new responsibilities while sharing valuable skills and insights from their previous roles, enriching their teams and driving collective success.”

Climbing the ladder

James was a teenager fresh from sixth form college when he joined Caxtons ten years ago as an apprentice.

He decided to go into surveying work, “because I’ve always been interested in how the built environment shapes communities and economies”.

However, gaining a degree and becoming a chartered surveyor was not on his radar.

“I didn’t ever think I was going to have a degree when I was young. I thought university was well out of my depth,” he says.

“I started as a trainee commercial negotiator, mainly answering the phone and carrying out viewings. As I progressed, I began inspecting properties with colleagues and learning how to correctly measure a property.

I was also shown how to calculate the measurements and then search for comparable evidence to establish a value for the property.”

Being an apprentice allowed him “hands-on learning in the real world” and the opportunity to shadow experienced professionals.

As the role evolved, he says he was “thrown in the deep end”, going out on site visits by himself and reporting back to clients directly.

He also pays tribute to the encouragement he had from Caxtons.

“With a company like Caxtons, a reputable firm, you have access to a lot of experienced professionals that can support you,” he says.

“I have always had supportive colleagues to answer any questions which I have been unsure of.”

Strengthening our team

With encouragement from his managers, James reached the first step in becoming a qualified surveyor when he became an associate of RICS (AssocRICS) five years ago.

From here, James’s steady rise up the ranks led to him starting his four-year degree in real estate management at the (Reading based) University College of Estate Management.

Studying on the job means James must complete four modules a year, including written assignments, computer marked assessments, webinars, research and studying alone.

He aims to sit the final exams, or Assessment of Professional Competence (APC), in August.

“It opens a lot of doors. It allows me to get further involved in professional valuation work. The main job role will remain as a commercial agent but it allows me to dip my fingers into extra work if its needed. It bolsters my career really.”

James has received a lot of backing from his colleagues as well as help from a counsellor at the firm who makes sure his studies stay on track.

“My colleagues are happy to answer any questions and help broaden my workload so I can focus on areas of expertise which I don’t touch base with on a day-to-day basis.”

Lighting the way

Hot on James’ heels is Leah Faulkner, who joined Caxtons in 2022 as a trainee property manager. She was soon talent spotted and recommended for the degree course.

She also pays tribute to the supportive environment from colleagues at Caxtons and the benefits of “hands-on” experience.

“Caxtons has been instrumental in my professional development by providing access to training opportunities, mentorship and exposure to diverse projects,” she says.

Deborah Preston adds that “Caxtons is always on the lookout for further talent. Graduates join the firm post-degree course or students can apply for placements over the summer.”

And there are clear advantages to the firm in training their own, talent spotting and bringing on existing members of staff to strengthen the team.

“At Caxtons, investing in staff has always been a cornerstone of our success. We prioritize providing hands-on, practical learning experiences in real-life situations. This approach ensures that trainees acquire the specific skills required for their roles while gaining a clear understanding of how their responsibilities integrate within the broader team and company framework.

In-house training plays a crucial role in fostering team building by promoting interaction among team members. It allows trainees to tap into the extensive knowledge and expertise of their
colleagues, creating a collaborative and enriching learning environment.

By identifying and addressing specific knowledge gaps, our tailored training programs make learning relatable, relevant, and engaging for trainees. This ensures not only their individual growth but also contributes to the overall effectiveness and cohesion of the team.”

Golden futures at Caxtons

While there are clear advantages for Caxtons in investing in its team, on an individual level James is looking forward to bright career prospects.

“I hope my career takes me toward a leadership role in commercial property, where I can manage significant projects and contribute to industry advancements,” he says.

He is also interested in driving forward innovation at the firm.

“I’m particularly interested in how new technologies are transforming the industry and surveying and would love to play a key role in driving that innovation while continuously
developing my skills.

Here at Caxtons, we believe that by investing in the skills of our team of property professionals, we can make sure we offer the very best market leading advice to our clients.

If you would like to find out more about career opportunities at Caxtons, Deborah Preston would be delighted to speak with you. Please contact her via email
dpreston@caxtons.com or call 01474 537733.