Reading-based Jassimran Lall and Abingdon-based Matthew Collett have been crowned winners at the RICS Matrics Surveyor Awards, which recognise the most inspiring and influential surveyors who have been qualified for up to 10 years.

Jassimran Lall, senior surveyor at Vail Williams won Facilities Management Surveyor of the Year and Matthew Collett, cost management project director for AECOM won Quantity/Construction Surveyor of the Year in the face of stiff competition from other category winners from around the UK.

Jassimran was one of five women on the list of 11 category winners in a year when female professionals represented just under 45% of those shortlisted, despite making up just 18% of UK surveyors. The number of women shortlisted this year is 150% higher than in 2018, and 350% higher than in the award’s inaugural year in 2014; an increase that has happened in a period when representation of women in the industry has become much stronger with many more female role models.

Jassimran joined Vail Williams in 2021 as a surveyor working in the property asset management team having previously worked as an industrial agency surveyor at Lambert Smith Hampton. In her role, she has implemented a new property management system and took ownership by providing regular training sessions for colleagues at all levels, as well as formulating ongoing improvements. Jassimran is also an advocate for women in the industry and is a member of the Women in Surveying network.

RICS Judges said: “Was an extraordinarily strong candidate who delivered excellence to their customers with a real focus on quality. This is a candidate who has worked hard, done well and impressed their colleagues. They sound like an impressive role model and well on their way to further success.”

Matthew joined AECOM six years ago and, in his time, has had involvement with a specialist hospital project, where he identified the design was circa £12m over the trust’s budget and through collaborating closely with his company and the client, was able to provide significant cost savings, while incorporating sustainable measures. Matthew is involved in coaching early career colleagues and is also an RICS APC Counsellor. He is a member and previous chair of the RICS Matrics Oxford committee.

The judges said: ‘A highly committed and engaged member. This candidate has demonstrated wider industry commitment to promote the industry to the next generation of potential surveyors and is already a leader in the profession and an extremely active RICS professional.’

Marking a decade of these awards, the winners were announced at a ceremony hosted by TV presenter Cherry Healey on 20th October at The Londoner, Leicester Square. The following surveyors were recognised for their outstanding career achievements in their respective sectors and disciplines:

RICS Matrics Surveyor of the Year: Carolyn Brady – Rider Levett Bucknall UK Limited
Apprentice of the Year: Max Chambers, Arcadis
Building Surveyor/Control Surveyor of the Year: Carolyn Brady, Rider Levett Bucknall UK Limited
Commercial Property Surveyor of the Year: George Hooton, Hootons Commercial
Facilities Management Surveyor of the Year: Jassimran Lall, Vail Williams
Land (Rural and Urban) Surveyor of the Year: Ginny Banham, Fisher German
Project Management Surveyor of the Year: Laura Hibbs, Pulse Consult
Quantity/Construction Surveyor of the Year: Matthew Collett, AECOM
Residential Property Surveyor of the Year: Joseph Ellison, Pinnacle Surveyors
Valuation Surveyor of the Year: Joshim Uddin, London Borough of Tower Hamlets
Ambassador of the Year: Philippa Sampson Bancroft, Greater London Authority
Mentor of the Year: Sam Nicholson. Wakefields Chartered Building Surveyors

This year’s judging panel consisted of 18 industry leaders including Justin Sullivan, RICS Senior Vice President who said: “The RICS Matrics Surveyor Awards are a true testament to these surveyors’ dedication to the industry over the years.

“Year on year we see immense levels of talent from high-achieving professionals who are the industry’s future leaders. Each winner is having a profoundly positive impact in their local community, and we’re proud to champion and recognise the hard work of each of these surveyors.”