First job: I started out with GA Property Services as a Valuation Manager and then decided I should get on and use my degree in Building Surveying to get my Professional Qualification.

First car: An old Volvo, something safe and a bit bland, which probably helped my insurance costs! My wife didn’t like the car as the previous owner was clearly very safety conscious and had installed a fire extinguisher!

What did the start of your professional life look like: I started as an estate agent with GA and decided I should really sit my APC and get qualified as a Surveyor so I moved to Graham & Sibbald to start my training in Edinburgh, spending my days organising surveys and getting a handle on what we do as surveyors. Then I took the chance to join DM Hall!

Best advice received: If you put your mind to it you can accomplish anything!

What do you like most about your job: Our interaction with clients, building a rapport, giving them advice which, I hope, gives them the confidence we’re here to help with the process and make everything run as smoothly and as quickly as possible.

And least: Having to break difficult news to clients if we find a serious problem in a property that they were unaware of, particularly if their home is due to go on the market which can make the situation more stressful for them. Sitting down with the client before you leave a property and having that honest conversation is hugely important, letting them know we’re here to help and act as their guide through our part of the process.

Biggest professional achievement: Being asked to join the partnership of DM Hall was a huge privilege and an achievement I’m very proud of. The repair most worth doing to your property is……..The roof. A lot of people forget to look up at their roof; glaring issues such as, slipped slates/tiles, blocked valleys etc. are all fairly easy to spot if you look up.

How do you see the current crisis panning out for your sector: We have to remain as positive as we can be. We’ve never been in a situation like this and, I hope, never will be again.

How do you switch off: I’m a bit of a workaholic so don’t really switch off, which drives my wife nuts! When I get chance I try to play golf, but very badly. Do a bit of gardening mostly cutting grass and the occasional binge watch of a box set.

What do you listen to in the car: I spend a lot of time in the car on my phone catching up with clients or colleagues, but when I get chance I’ll listening to anything podcasts, the radio, or Spotify playlist!

Which social media sites so you like/prefer: LinkedIn has been great during lockdown as there has been a lot of great information on there from Agents and other professionals – mostly positive.

If you weren’t in your current job, what would you be doing: Honestly I couldn’t tell you. I’m one of these odd people that wanted to do this job since he was a teenager.

Favourite holiday destination: Good question and a tough one. I’d say Paris or Barcelona.

What makes you happy: Knowing when we contact family and friends, that they’re healthy and safe during these strange times