In conclusion to our Women in Surveying blogs today for International Women’s Day 2021, we focus on the wider team, giving you an insight into the mix of skills and experience our female surveyors bring to the table. Plus just a few fun questions…
Ruth Warnes MRICS
Ruth is an RICS-qualified Chartered Surveyor & Registered Valuer. Ruth studied for a degree in Land Management at the University of Reading before qualifying as a member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) in 2005.
After a career break to raise a family, Ruth worked in both Trading and Commercial Valuations before running a team of Property Managers for a large pension fund. Ruth originally joined Watsons in early 2015 and carried out a large number of residential surveys and valuations, before taking some time out, and returning to the Watsons team at the start of October 2017.
Recently taking on a new role as Regional Area Surveyor (Commercial), Ruth is going back to her roots and taking on all commercial valuations across the region, and has a trainee surveyor starting work with her later this month. Good luck Ruth!
Who or what inspired you to want to become a surveyor?
I always wanted to work in property, from a very young age I was typing up property particulars on a typewriter and trying to sell houses to anyone that would listen! I was very lucky to go to an all girls school that instilled in me that there were no limitations to what a girl could achieve – the school offered work experience and in my early teens I was lucky enough to spend time at Phillips Auction House in London during a movie memorabilia sale headlined by the iconic Alien chest-buster prop from the film Alien. I was very interested in antiques and auctioneering (which is another form of surveying) but it was work experience at what was then known as Henry Butcher & Co that truly fuelled my property surveying fire. My time there involved inspecting Bow Police Station, an Orthodox Church and a disused airfield to name a few – I was only 15 at the time but I was hooked! The buildings fascinated me and they still do to this day!
Three words that you think describe you?
Hardworking, diligent and approachable.
What part of your job do you enjoy most?
No two days are ever the same and every day brings with it the opportunity to learn something new.
What part of your job do you enjoy least?
Going in to an empty property with an alarm and not knowing how to turn it off! Or a property with fleas……..!!
How well supported/accepted to you feel in your job?
Watsons is an amazing company to work for and I have never felt so well supported in a job as I do know – the daily balance of full-time work and being a single parent to two school age children has definitely been interesting (and challenging) over the past 12 months in particular, but I couldn’t have got through it without the support of Watsons, particularly Ray and Alison.
In terms of acceptance in the past I would get the odd telephone call where the caller asks to speak to the surveyor because they assume you are the secretary when you first answer – but I can honestly say I have never come across any blatant prejudice just because I am a woman – I firmly believe that if you do the job well then that should speak for itself.
Zoe Plant BSc (Hons), MRICS
Zoe Plant BSc (Hons), MRICS Zoe is an RICS-qualified Chartered Surveyor & Registered Valuer. Zoe attended The Royal Agricultural College, Cirencester and obtained a BSc (Hons) in Rural Land Management, graduating in 2005.
Zoe then went on to start her career as an Assistant Land Agent, working in both Oxfordshire and Gloucestershire. She was elected to membership of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) in 2009. Zoe joined Watsons in April 2019. She undertakes inspections and valuations of residential property for a broad range of purposes.
Who or what inspired you to want to become a surveyor?
My grandfather was a surveyor and I also wanted to work in agriculture but without driving tractors!
What part of your job do you enjoy most?
The thing I like most about my job is seeing all the nice houses, although this is not always the case. Watsons also allows a great deal of flexibility, which works well with an 8 year old daughter and three horses!
What part of your job do you enjoy least?
I least like loft inspections and HMO’s
How well supported/accepted to you feel in your job?
Watsons makes you feel very accepted and the support is great.
Diana Morton MRICS
Diana Morton MRICSDiana is an RICS-qualified Chartered Surveyor & Registered Valuer. Diana studied Rural Enterprise & Land Management at Harper Adams University in Newport, Shropshire, before moving from general practice to focus on residential property.
Diana operates across Norfolk and has built a huge amount of knowledge of the local area and property market, gaining much of her experience at Countrywide Plc, where she worked for over 14 years, prior to joining the surveying team at Watsons in October 2020.
Who or what inspired you to want to become a surveyor?
I grew up on the family farm, and became interested in farm and estate management through this. I started off my career in general practice before focusing on residential property after 2 years.
Three words that you think describe you?
Organised, logical, diligent.
What part of your job do you enjoy most?
Finding problems in houses that look perfect on the surface!
What part of your job do you enjoy least?
Missing a defect!!
How well supported/accepted to you feel in your job?
I’ve only been at Watsons just over 4 months but I’ve been very well supported in the short time I’ve been here, especially considering the strange times we are currently living in. As an industry as a whole, I’m not sure that I ever felt a difference being female, even when I was the only female in a group of surveyors for 14 years; perhaps I felt the difference more when I became a mother, but that’s society’s influence rather than the surveying industry.
For more information or to obtain a quote, please contact your Local Surveyor or email survey@watsons-property.co.uk
Alternatively, book your survey or valuation online using our Survey Booker.
Find out more about International Women’s Day 2021.
