A farmer’s son from Durham has topped the Central Association of Agricultural Valuers’ (CAAV) exams, earning him the prestigious RASE Talbot Ponsonby Prize.
Tim Sedgewick, a chartered surveyor at H&H Land and Property, Durham, scored 83% in the rigorous exams, qualifying him as a Fellow of the CAAV, or FAAV.
“It is a tremendous effort to win this – the top prize of the association,” explained outgoing president James Dick.
“Qualifying as a fellow is to become part of a hugely respected class of professionals; it really is a kitemark of valuation excellence.”
Sedgewick has a degree in business management and marketing from Harper Adams, as well as a post-graduate diploma in rural estate and land management.
He has been working at H&H since 2012 covering a broad range of rural work.
“My work is very varied, and I love getting in there and making things happen,” said Sedgewick. “I really like to help people progress their businesses.”
Promotion
The award has already paid dividends, in that Sedgewick has since been promoted to associate at H&H.
“I’m also now managing new graduates and placement students, and it’s nice to be able to help them to progress their careers,” he said.
In future, Sedgewick said is looking forward to working his way further up the company, and expanding his knowledge and experience.
“The FAAV offers a high standard of assurance, and in this industry, you never stop learning, day after day,” he added.
Runner-up
Runner-up in the exams, with a score of 79%, was Alison Aitken, senior surveyor at Davidson & Robertson, Lanark.
Brought up on a beef and sheep farm in Peeblesshire, she has a degree in property management and valuation, and joined the firm in 2015, where she works in estate management, utility work and sales.
“It’s quite a varied workload – no two days are the same,” she said. “I love getting out and about – I never wanted to be stuck in an office all day.”
Scotland’s valuation association, SAAVA, has its own prize for top marks in the exams, and this is the fifth time that Davidson & Robertson has won it.
Although exams for FAAV accreditation have only been held in Scotland since 2012, its reputation is growing rapidly, said Aitken.
“I’m very pleased to be able to use it. In this line of work you need to know a lot about a lot, which makes it a very exciting and interesting career,” she said.
