A Bilfinger Real Estate company

#betheone

gva.co.uk/graduates

Contents Introduction......................................... 4 Our graduate programme.................. 6 Training and your APC......................... 8 Completing the package................. 10 Winners in the industry....................... 12 Our structure and business units........ 14 Our culture and values...................... 16 Helping our communities.................. 18 Corporate social responsibility.......... 24 Professional standards....................... 25 Graduate stories............................... 26 Get in touch...................................... 32

#betheone to make a connection

Introduction From Chief Executive Rob Bould

It is truly an exciting time to join the commercial property industry and to join GVA. After years of standstill caused by the banking crisis, there are now real signs of new activity and new initiatives across many of our major cities. In addition, GVA is embarking on a new chapter in its evolution, having merged with Bilfinger Real Estate in July 2014, one of Europe’s leading providers of integrated real estate solutions. This partnership provides our company with a new international perspective and I hope, exciting new opportunities for you as you may progress in a career at GVA, to work on international projects or with international clients. Our objective is to build our company into a top European full service consultancy, and to give our people the opportunity to share in that success. With GVA, your future as a property professional couldn’t be brighter or more promising.

Who we are GVA is the UK’s largest and most diverse multidisciplinary property consultancy outside of the capital. Through the GVA Worldwide network of affiliates, GVA is represented in 21 countries, 128 market locations and features nearly 6,000 worldwide personnel. In 2014 GVA moved in to the big five UK property services firms, climbing into fifth as ranked by UK turnover according to the latest annual growth forecast for Property Week. Also in 2014, GVA merged with Bilfinger Real Estate and became part of the Bilfinger SE group, a business that employs 74,000 people globally providing industrial, power, building, facilities and construction capabilities to both the public and private sectors with revenues in excess of €8.5 billion. GVA has an impressive portfolio of excellent clients that features some of the largest and most innovative schemes in the UK. Our size and experience, as well as our international reach, mean that we are well-respected and our position on many public sector frameworks is unrivalled and much envied by our peers.

#betheone for GVA

Our graduate programme At GVA we pride ourselves in adopting a flexible approach to our graduate programme, from the recruitment process through to the training, development and benefits that we offer to our graduates. We welcome graduates from all academic backgrounds who have an active interest in the property industry. You will need to be eager to learn, ambitious, hard-working and highly motivated to hit the ground running. Our graduates must also be able to display a high level of commercial acumen and interpersonal and teamworking skills because right from day one you will be working as part of a team on some of the biggest and best property projects.

GVA offers graduates four main pathways to professional qualification: Commercial Practice (RICS), Planning and Development Surveying (RICS), Building Surveying (RICS) and Town Planning (RTPI). Commercial Practice Surveying This pathway is the one that we see most of our graduates come through on as it allows you to become a chartered surveyor and work in most areas of our business.

Town Planning The planning pathway allows you to qualify as a Chartered Town Planner, working amongst other planners and surveyors in our Planning, Development and Regeneration business unit or in other specialist planning teams in the wider business.

Planning and Development Surveying This pathway supports you working as a chartered surveyor within our various surveying teams or in our specialist Planning, Development and Regeneration business unit. Building Surveying This pathway will enable you to become a Chartered Building Surveyor working in either our core Building Consultancy business unit, the Schatunowski Brooks business unit dealing with neighbourly matters, or our new-build project management team Second London Wall.

#betheone we choose

Training and your APC Whether you opt for the RICS (Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors) or RTPI (Royal Town Planning Institute) APC qualification, we allow you to tailor your training and development to suit your aspirations. We will provide you with a framework of training, through which you can achieve your full potential.

We work hard to ensure that all our graduates gain the practical experience they need in order to meet the APC competencies, and where possible preferences are considered when arranging any rotations or liaison, to ensure that you get a say in the direction your career is moving.

The length of training under the programme is dependent upon your previous experience and is ultimately in your hands, but generally it will take place over a two year period.

We are committed to developing the careers of all of our staff, and at graduate level this will include (amongst other initiatives) interim assessments, meetings and training sessions. GVA’s industry-leading graduate programme sets you up in your property career by involving you in responsible and high profile projects from the day you join us.

On our commercial surveying pathway in our London offices, which have a higher graduate intake, we can offer you a structured rotation programme, allowing you to experience a range of disciplines. In our smaller, regional offices, and for all other APC supported pathways, we promise to help you secure more than the necessary experience through sustained liaison with a wide variety of business units and colleagues.

Our goal is to help you achieve yours, so we promise to give you the solid foundation required for your professional development.

#betheone in control of your future As a graduate and whilst studying for your APC we will provide you with the following:

• A dedicated HR graduate team committed to helping you achieve your career goals.

• Fully funded APC fees

• An open door policy for feedback. GVA values its employees’ opinions, so as well as requesting feedback through surveys, we welcome you giving your views to help shape the future of the firm.

• A graduate induction • A dedicated supervisor/mentor • Study leave • For the RICS pathways we provide an external APC tutor who will advise you on your chosen pathway and your selected competencies during your time as a graduate. You will receive interim assessments, mock APC interviews, detailed training courses and workshops, as well as detailed preparation and guidance on your final assessment. • All graduates receive specialist inhouse training from our Training team who offer a comprehensive range of courses and workshops to compliment your APC including IT, business and presentation skills.

• RTPI graduates receive a programme of structured training with dedicated mentor support, training sessions designed in collaboration with the RTPI, guidance on final submissions and opportunities to regularly discuss career progress and aspirations.

Completing the package In return for your skills and commitment, we offer our graduates a comprehensive benefits package that we review regularly to remain competitive within the market place. Currently the benefits provided include:

• Wide variety of optional benefits available under our flexible benefits scheme including a cycle to work scheme, charity giving, shopping and restaurant discounts, critical illness insurance and much more.

• Competitive base salary

Post-APC you also have the opportunity to give something back by becoming a mentor to a new graduate on the scheme or becoming involved in the active promotion of future campaigns. Not only does this enhance your professional network but it also allows you to impart your knowledge on to new recruits, benefiting you and them.

• Attractive profit and performancebased bonus • 25 days annual leave (plus statutory bank holidays) • Company contributory pension scheme • Life assurance • Income protection insurance • Option of a season ticket travel loan • Car allowance and private medical insurance (upon qualification)

Across the company, GVA has worked hard to emphasise the importance of team work and supporting each other and the positive impact this can have on both the business and personal wellbeing. We recognise that happy and valued employees are more productive, and in many cases our team spirit goes beyond the boundaries of the office so all staff are encouraged to participate in an active social and sporting calendar. We have teams for rugby 7s, cricket, softball, hockey, netball and lots more. We encourage our graduates to join in with the fun and get involved - sports and social events are a great way to meet colleagues from other offices and departments.

#betheone to reap the rewards

Winners in the industry GVA is no stranger to awards ceremonies and we have good reason to be proud - take a look at some of the awards we have won!

TOP COMPANIES for graduates to work for

2014 / 15

PROPERTY & HOUSEBUILDING

2014

-- ‘Professional Services’

• Job Crowd:

-- ‘Investment Agent’

-- Top 10 Property & Housebuilding Companies For Graduates to Work For

• The RIBA Stirling Prize - Liverpool Everyman Theatre

-- Top 100 Companies To Work For

2013

• Grafters Northwest – ‘Best Commercial Property Management Company’ • Building Magazine’s annual awards - ‘Project of the Year’ - Mary Rose Museum redevelopment • Civic Trust award - Mary Rose Museum redevelopment • Lighting Award - Mary Rose Museum redevelopment • British Land Award - ‘Exceptional Work in Developing Sustainable Buildings’

• Job Crowd: -- Top 10 Property & Housebuilding Companies For Graduates to Work For -- Top 100 Companies To Work For • British Council of Offices regional awards for London & South East – Corporate Workplace (160 Great Portland Street, Second London Wall) Shortlisted

Shortlisted

• BCSC’s Purple Apple Award Merseyway Shopping Centre in Stockport

• The HealthInvestor Awards 2014 – ‘Property Consultant of the Year’

• Property Week Awards – ‘Office Agency Team of the Year’

• The General Practice Awards 2014 – ‘Property Advisor of the Year’

• Property Week Awards – ‘Professional Team of Year’

• 2014 RESI Awards 2014 – ‘Student Housing Operator of the Year’

• Health Investor Awards – ‘Property Consultants of the Year’ – Property Services

• BCSC’s Purple Apple Award Merseyway Shopping Centre in Stockport • Insider North West’s Property Awards: -- ‘Office Agent of the Year’ -- ‘Industrial Agent of the Year’

• 2013 RESI Awards – ‘Property Manager of the Year’ • Heart Safe Awards - ‘Heart Safe Shopping Centre of the Year’. • The EG Awards - ‘Property Adviser of the Year, Industrial & Distribution’

Our structure and business units As a multidisciplinary property consultancy we have many strings to our bow. To make things a little easier to take in we have summarised the business units we operate and employ graduates in to. We’re sure there is a place here for you somewhere.

#betheone with the brightest prospects

Business units Industrial & Distribution

Business Rates

Offices

Lease Consultancy

GVA Connect

PDR & GVA Financial Consultancy

Land & Development

Building Consultancy

Retail

GVA Schatunowski Brooks

Investment

GVA Second London Wall

London Agency & Investment

GVA Acuity

Hotels & Leisure (including RGA)

Valuation Advisory Services

Automotive & Roadside

Restructuring & Recovery and P&M

Telecoms

Minerals, Waste & Environmental

Property Management

NHS Primary Healthcare

West End Management

Independent Healthcare

Sectors Energy  | Healthcare | Hotels | Logistics | Public Sector

Our culture and values Being a top 5 property company means attracting, retaining and rewarding the best people in the industry. We recognise that our people are the key to creating excellent client relationships and service.

Clients first

Our five core values are central to GVA culture and are helping us to achieve our goals. These are the values we are looking for in our people.

Trust

Everything we do is client-focused. We listen and then tailor what we deliver to meet and exceed their expectations.

We pride ourselves on acting with integrity and respect. Our open, straightforward approach sets our advice and services apart from the competition. Pride We are honest and straightforward and take pride in everything we do. We work together to build long-term successful relationships that benefit everyone.

Innovation We are a progressive, dynamic and agile business always looking for new and better ways to deliver solutions. Growth We are investing in a sustainable business, creating a supportive environment where our people are empowered to reach their full potential.

#betheone to exceed expectations

Helping our communities GVA people care passionately about the communities they live in and every year collectively and individually take on a huge variety of amazing and inspirational challenges in the name of charity. Every year we run a GVA-wide charity campaign, designed to unite our people’s efforts in support of a particular cause. These campaigns have been recognised as among the best in the professional services industry. Over the course of the last few years GVA teams have consistently raised a staggering £200,000 plus each year for various UK and international charities. For example, in 2014 GVA is helping Together for Short Lives to make a difference. This national charity supports children and their families with life-limiting conditions. Each of our offices has been teamed with a local children’s hospice and all money raised is going directly to support their local hospice, together with a match-funding donation from GVA.

Here are just a handful of events that our teams have organised or are organising this year to raise money for charities close to GVA. Could you get involved? Dragonboat race – Birmingham GVA entered a team in the Brindley Place Dragonboat Festival which returned for its 15th year in Birmingham. Staff across the local office dressed as ’118′ men and managed to row into the final after three heats against local businesses in traditional Chinese longboats. We came a respectable second in the end. The corporate fundraising event supported local charity Help Harry Help Others.

#betheone to make a difference

Lanrick challenge – Glasgow and Edinburgh A team of six GVA staff, including 4 graduates, took part in the Lanrick Challenge in July 2014. Two people opted for the 6km course and four took on the more demanding 12km course. The team overall came home in fifth position, only ten minutes behind a team of Royal Marines and beating JLL, who finished seventh. All proceeds went to The Sandpiper Trust and Help Our Wounded Marines and Supporting Arms. Rainbow fun run – Bristol, London and Birmingham GVA staff supported the 2014 Bristol Rainbow Run in June by part sponsoring the event and some even took part in the 5k fun run around The Downs. More than 20 GVA staff and their families also volunteered their time as ‘paint throwers’ at the event, helping it raise over £75,000 for Children’s Hospice South West. LandAid summer run – London Around 30 runners from GVA joined a field of more than 550-strong who took part in June’s event, which was sponsored by GVA. Our people’s efforts have raised around £4,000 for the LandAid charity and the whole event raised more than £50,000 in total.

Charity book collection – Manchester Our Manchester office decided to celebrate Word Book Day in March by collecting books for a worthy local charity. This is one of a number of initiatives that they have run for various chosen charities during the year, and they have continued to excel themselves in fundraising for Francis House Children’s Hospice as part of our national charity campaign. Champagne and strawberries – Newcastle Champagne with strawberries and cream, along with a dress-down day went down a treat with the Newcastle team in July 2014. In return for a fixed donation, the team got to quaff champagne in the boardroom and this year GVA doubled the donations to help raise £672 for their local children’s hospice, St Oswalds. Three peaks challenge – Leeds 37 staff from our Leeds teams completed their annual Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge in May 2014, completing the 26 mile ‘Hard as Dales’ hike, again raising a staggering amount for charity. The funds were split between local children’s hospice Martin House as part of our national charity campaign and local children’s cancer charity Candlelighters Trust, which our Leeds office raises money for every year.

As well as helping to raise funds with organised runs, climbs, jumps, hikes, walks, quizzes, dances, sales, raffles, dress-down days, breakfast events and more, GVA is also passionate about sponsoring charities. We are a foundation sponsor for the LandAid charity, which uses the collective resources, expertise and influence of the property industry to help disadvantaged young people in the UK access the skills and opportunities they need to achieve their potential. In 2014 GVA also agreed to become a key sponsor of PropSki 2014, a new networking event for young property professionals. The week-long ski trip was conceived of and launched in 2013, by GVA’s very own qualified graduate, Rupert Parker (City Office Agency), and his friend Will Chambers of JLL. The week’s activities centre on various networking events and ski races, the most prestigious of them being the team slalom event which, from will now be known as the ‘GVA Team Slalom Cup’.

We take our corporate social responsibilities very seriously here at GVA and are looking for graduates who share our commitment to helping and supporting the communities we live and work in. If this is you, you’ll find GVA an inspiring place where you are encouraged to participate in charity events and fundraising and to help organise events and drum up support.

#betheone to get involved

Corporate social responsibility At GVA we believe that the way we work with people and the environment are vital to our future business success. Throughour corporate social responsibility policy we have developed pledges ensuring that we protect and respect the wider environment as much as possible and the advice we provide to our clients is guided by the same principles. Our own corporate initiatives include reducing energy consumption, managing travel, fulfilling targets for waste reduction and recycling and setting standards for procurement, among others.

Professional standards Compliance exists to ensure that our people meet the expected professional standards in their day-to-day work and act in an ethical, lawful and safe manner. At GVA we set clear expectations for all roles, which are supported by job descriptions and the setting of personal objectives. GVA’s approach to compliance helps us to reduce our risks and deliver an assured service to clients, demonstrating accountability and integrity to the Board, our clients, independent assessors and investors.

#betheone to do the right thing

Graduate stories We appreciate that it can be daunting for graduates coming in to a professional services organisation like GVA, but we hope that you are up for the challenge! Here are some views from recent graduates to give you a flavour of how it feels to join the world of GVA.

Martin Greenwood – Graduate Surveyor, London

Anya Leusink – Rotational Graduate Surveyor, London

I have recently joined GVA from another surveying firm which involved me moving from Edinburgh to London. During this process GVA very understood of my on-going commitments and keen to help where they could to ensure that my move was as smooth as possible.

I am approaching my one year anniversary working for GVA and have, so far, thoroughly enjoyed my time here. My first rotation was in West End Management where I took an active role in the management of a portfolio of properties in Mayfair. It was great experience to be involved in such a high profile group of properties, and I was given lots of responsibility, including regular client contact, and I always felt supported by my colleagues.

I am currently mid-way through my APC, so the decision to move was difficult, however the structured training that GVA offers and the chance to work for one of the top firms in the industry convinced me it was the right choice. I am due to sit my APC soon and the team have been supportive and have ensured that I am able to get all the necessary experience I need to sit at the earliest opportunity.

I am now working in the City of London Office Agency team and get great opportunities to meet up with other agents in the market over lunch, coffee or at property launches. Aside from work, the social atmosphere at GVA is great. I recently organised a successful graduate’s summer drinks social event which had a great turnout and provided a good opportunity to catch up with fellow graduates.

Glenn Laws – Graduate Surveyor, Newcastle

Rory Sergeant – Graduate Building Surveyor, Bristol

Whilst at university I completed a one year sandwich placement with a residential firm, which started me on my APC journey. Since joining GVA I now work on commercial property and have easily been able to change my APC pathway accordingly. The guidance and structure that GVA provided so that this could be done was fantastic. I feel that now I am working in such a multi-disciplined business unit, GVA has enabled me to have an excellent platform to gain a breadth of surveying knowledge and experience.

I am a recent graduate and began a role in June. My colleagues at GVA have all been very welcoming and there is a friendly working atmosphere, as well as staff with excellent technical knowledge. The scope of work undertaken by the different business units at GVA means that there are fantastic prospects for graduates working towards their APC.

In my role day to day I am encouraged to make my own decisions whilst having the security of other professionals around me to help, if needed. The positive working environment and the first hand exposure to the cases I deal with has resulted in me thoroughly enjoying my time so far with GVA.

To date, I have had opportunities to carry out a range of work including building pathology inspections, due diligence surveys, feasibility studies and advice regarding alterations to properties across the region. My colleagues are keen to provide me with work to broaden my experience by providing excellent opportunities to learn and progress.

#betheone to inspire others Laura Soutar – Rotational Graduate Surveyor, London I have been a graduate at GVA for one year and have found my APC experience so far to be rewarding and enjoyable. GVA is a great company with which to build a career, providing a good work/life balance. I am currently in my second rotation, in West End Property Management, which is a great department to gain a wide range of experience in as a general practice surveyor. My daily work is varied and includes dealing with tenant applications such as assignments, sublettings, and licences to alter.

Outside of the office there are excellent opportunities to get involved with charities and sports within GVA. By joining the softball team, I’ve had the opportunity to meet staff from other departments and in other surveying firms, who we compete against weekly. I am looking forward to my continuing career with GVA and benefiting from the great training and opportunities available to me.

Angharad Williams – Graduate Planner, Cardiff Having joined GVA whilst still enrolled on my Master’s degree, I was able to use the invaluable experience gained within my department to help me through my studies and now also in the preparation of my APC. As a graduate planner I have been involved in many different projects, ranging from small scale development to large scale projects. The people I work with are a great support and are extremely knowledgeable, providing direction and offering understanding in helping me to achieve my RTPI accreditation. Working for GVA gives you the opportunity to be part of a full service real estate company, offering its clients excellent and efficient client service. The company provides a number of opportunities and enables you to work closely with other professionals and develop knowledge within other property sectors.

Stephanie Eastwood – Graduate Planner, Birmingham GVA is an excellent place to start your career in property. The company supports you through your APC and provides an extremely friendly working environment. There are plenty of social activities and opportunities to get to know colleagues in other business units and learn more about what they do. So far this year I have already managed to play in the netball team, walk 40 miles through the Cotswolds for charity, row in a dragon boat race and helped to organise bake sales and other fundraising events in the office.

Working as a graduate planner for GVA, from day one you are given direct client exposure and a range of responsibilities. I have been able to work on a variety of projects across a number of disciplines, relating to sites ranging from golf courses to prisons. Day to day I undertake a broad range of tasks including researching and preparing planning appraisals, providing regular monitoring reports to clients, preparing, submitting and managing planning applications, and assisting to lead project teams of sub-consultants.

Get in touch Keep in contact with us via: Twitter: @GVA_Graduates Facebook: facebook.com/GVAGraduates

We also have a dedicated GVA Graduate Team within HR. [email protected] 0121 609 8300

#betheone to make the connection

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Published by GVA 10 Stratton Street, London W1J 8JR ©2014 Copyright GVA GVA is the trading name of GVA Grimley Limited and is a principal shareholder of GVA Worldwide, an independent partnership of property advisers operating globally gvaworldwide.com

TOP COMPANIES

for graduates to work for

2014 / 15

PROPERTY & HOUSEBUILDING

gva.co.uk/graduates