Written by Aimée Rumsby – Marketing Executive at Watsons Property
Taking you behind the scenes of life at Watsons
At Watsons, our team is our greatest strength. Their specialist skills, extensive knowledge, and unwavering commitment enable us to lead the nation in property-related services. With some of the industry’s finest talent on our team, we deliver a wide range of services, including surveys, valuations, and property management to clients across the nation.
We’re thrilled to be introducing you to our incredible cohort of talent and taking you behind the scenes of life at Watsons with new ‘Meet Team Watsons’ series. This month, we’re getting to know Andy Fox, MRICS, one of our Chartered Surveyors based in Kent who brings over 25 years of experience to Team Watsons.
Let’s explore Andy’s career journey, knowledge, and advice for those interested in the ever-evolving property landscape.
What is your role at Watsons and what does this include?
Recently joining Watsons as a Chartered Surveyor, a significant part of my role is focused on residential surveys – from period homes to modern flats. These surveys give clients clear insight into a property’s condition, placing them in a position to make fully informed decisions and protect themselves from unexpected costs after completion.
Alongside this, I undertake residential valuation work for both private individuals and major lenders. These valuations may involve standard home purchases and remortgages or extend to complex portfolio instructions and value assessments of large multi-unit schemes.
Working as a Chartered Surveyor means every day brings a new experience. From different construction methods and architecture types to client needs, this diversity makes our roles so rewarding.
How did you begin your career in the property industry?
My journey into the profession wasn’t linear. In fact, it was sparked by complete chance! Earlier in my career, I was working for an IT company in the City of London. After returning from a two-week hitch-hiking trip around Ireland with a friend, I discovered I had been made redundant. So, I called a recruitment consultant and headed straight to their office.
A few days later, I was introduced to an opening at a company called Hillier Parker in Mayfair – one of the UK’s largest commercial surveying firms at the time. They needed urgent cover for a role in their investment department – a challenge I was ready for.
The opportunity opened a completely new world to me, one which I soon became incredibly interested in, so I started asking questions and offering my support. Before long, my role had expanded five-fold, and I was undertaking the early responsibilities of a junior surveyor.
The Partner, William Allen, recognised my potential. He asked whether I would consider studying a degree in surveying. After graduating top of my class with several awards, I returned to Hillier Parker where I worked for another 6 years. I’ve never looked back and am very grateful for Allen’s support.
What is your favourite part of surveying?
Surveying is one of those mysterious industries that can easily go under the radar. When you ask most people what a surveyor is, they imagine either someone standing on a building site in a hard-hat and high-vis vest, or someone walking around a house looking for problems. Surveying is one of the most diverse qualifications I can think of.
Over the years, my career has taken me far beyond valuations and home surveys. I’ve:
- Managed commercial property portfolios for pension funds
- Worked as an Investment Manager overseeing a £5bn Central London estate
- Provided expert testimony in judicial matters relating to village greens
- Advised on major development schemes in Portugal, Bulgaria and Cape Verde
- Contributed to infrastructure planning, including desalination and energy facilities
- Run the property department of a major landmark during a transformative relocation
That variety is what I love most. Surveying opens countless doors – so long as you’re prepared to step through them and follow opportunities.
What advice would you give to someone training to become a surveyor?
Keep an open mind. The profession is far bigger than people realise. There are endless specialisms to explore, and every niche offers something different. It’s a career that can be extremely rewarding and interesting, if you put in the effort and are prepared to take a few risks along the way. I truly believe there is something for everyone.
Are there any developments in your field that excite you?
The property industry has experienced a transformational decade, with lots more to come. Remote working, accelerated by the global pandemic, has changed how people interact with their workplaces, homes, and communities. The blur and balance of those things have changed, too.
Technology continues to evolve, too. AI-driven data analysis, digital surveying tools, drones and modern construction techniques are already influencing how we inspect, build and maintain property.
At the same time, sustainability is critical priority within the property industry. The way that we build and run occupied spaces is changing at a huge rate to reflect changing climate and energy needs.
For surveyors, this combination of innovation and necessity creates a fascinating landscape and a chance to directly shape a more efficient, forward-thinking built environment. Watsons are constantly exploring technology and tools that can be made to improve our services, and I am excited to be part of this.
If you could own a property anywhere in the UK, where would it be and why?
Well, at the risk of favouritism, it obviously must be Kent. It’s been my home for around two decades, and I chose it for a reason.
I’m surrounded by history – the church I can see out of my window is nearly 900 years old, and I drive past at least one castle most days. Mainland Europe is less than an hour away. There’s world-class science and business park just down the road and one of the local schools was the first one in the world to obtain a licence to manipulate the human genome and famously got into a race with NASA to design a chip capable of detecting cosmic rays.
Kent has everything I look for.
What is your favourite iconic property?
Bleak House in Broadstairs immediately springs to mind.
It’s a fabulous Grade II Listed building with a view over the sea, and it’s where Charles Dickens wrote David Copperfield. It’s a private home and no longer open to the public, but I was once privileged to sit at Dickens’ own writing desk overlooking the North Sea during an inspection.
It gave a fantastic view over the North Sea, and I can quite imagine it inspiring our beloved wordsmith.
Join Team Watsons
At Watsons, we’re always on the lookout for driven and talented professionals who are passionate about property and dedicated to excellence, from valuations and surveys to customer service and marketing.
With a career at Watsons, you’ll have the opportunity to work on diverse projects with some of the most talented people in our industry. We’re proud to offer a supportive work environment, professional development opportunities, and a culture that values your skills and ambitions.
Contact our HR team today to discuss our vacancies and learn more about joining Team Watsons:
📧 Email: hr@watsons-property.co.uk
📞 Phone: 01603 75155
