cem-alumni and case studies web

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ALUMNI &CASE STUDIES



Our new association

Newly launched during spring 2010, the CEM

Alumni Association aims to maintain and

strengthen the College’s links with former

students, foster relationships between them

and promote the sharing of expertise.

We see your qualication as just the beginning

– a base upon which to build many long and

productive relationships that can help you in

developing your career. There has never been

a more important time to stay connected with

other industry professionals and keep abreast

of industry developments. Our interactive

Association has been built with this in mind

and offers its members a wealth of benetsthat come with being an integral part of CEM’s

extensive global community.

Be a part of it

Membership is free and open to all alumni on

completion of any CEM course.

To enjoy the benets of staying in touch with

the CEM community, please register at

www.cem.ac.uk/alumni

CEM ALUMNI ASSOCIATIONAt CEM we believe that your relationship with us and with your

ellow students can continue to be o real beneft, long ater

you’ve completed your studies and wherever you are in the world.

We hope that you will nd CEM’s Alumni

Association a valuable resource and support tool

throughout your working life and beyond. The

Association is exclusively for CEM alumni and

provides the following features and benets:

• Access to an online social networking

community – a virtual community where you

can display a personal prole, read and post

comments on specic topics, contact other

alumni, network with industry experts and

interact with fellow alumni as you choose

• Specialist groups and discussion forums– join other like-minded alumni and chat online

on subjects and topics relating to your course

or other areas of interest; a great resource

for all alumni engaged with the property and

construction industries

• Events and seminars – be amongst the rst

to hear about CEM’s wide range of networking,

social and professional development events

and seminars

• Exclusive CPD discounts and other offers

– keep knowledge and skills up to date, and

your career on track, by taking advantage of

discounts on our professional development

training options

FEATURES AND BENEFITS

S h a p i n g t o m

o r r o w ’ s p r o p e r t y w o r l d

‘Graduation was the icing on the cake and a great way toshare my achievement with family, fellow students andCollege staff, who all gave me so much support through thecourse.’

Belen Lopez

Team Secretary, Jone Long LaSalle

Course studied: Diploma in Surveying Practice



M CEM: BUIDIN A BETTER BRITAIN

Career path

Having broken to my father (a QS-trained

contractor) the news that I wanted to pursue

an academic career that might not lead to

the construction industry, he was probably

relieved when I did not get a place to read

English Literature at Cambridge. He himself

had qualied by distance learning and urged

me to go along and see CEM, which was

running one of the few courses that would

lead to a degree in quantity surveying.

So ultimately my career path was motivated

by a combination of missing out on my rst

choice (one of those ‘sliding doors’moments

for which I have had every reason to be

grateful), parental pressure, an inborn love of

building and buildings, and the reputation of

the College.

From sharing time on the course with

general practice surveyors, I gained an early

appreciation of the complex (and not always

complementary) relationship between cost

and value, and it is probably no accident

that I spent most of my professional career

specialising in commercial development.

My current role

Government and the construction industry

share a number of characteristics: both are

huge (construction represents about 9% of

UK GDP, employs more than 2 million people

and has an output of some £114 billion per

annum); both are diversied and fragmented;

and both are often accused of lacking a‘joined up’approach to their remit. There has

long been a call for someone to provide an

interface between the two, hence the creation

of this role.

There are currently two major priorities:

rstly, to get more value out of the industry,

particularly in the delivery of public

sector works; secondly, to get carbon out

of the industry, given how much energy is

consumed in the occupation of buildings.

Looking from the other end of the telescope,

while it will always be the prerogative of

government to make its spending plans

according to its own purposes, it needs to be

understood that the ‘stop/go’consequence

of capital expenditure being used as an

economic regulator is not without other

consequences that rebound to the public

purse. Improving the understanding of

this must be one key objective for a Chief

Construction Adviser.

The construction industry –

looking forward

At a time when it is proving difcult for

entrants to the industry to get a job, let

alone the quality of work they need to get a

proper training, it may appear insensitive to

sound a hopeful note – but I am nonetheless

optimistic. This may be partly innate, but

it is also informed by recognising both the

challenges and the opportunities inherent in

the country’s legal commitment to make the

transition to a low carbon economy, and the

parallel signs that the industry is well placed

to use that opportunity to implement some of

the ideas for modernisation that have been

developing over the last two decades.

To deliver the buildings we need to this new

standard will mean we have to be at our best,

and we will also need new skills and new

ways of working. Education is critical to this,

raising early awareness of both the challenge

and the opportunity, and embedding from the

outset of one’s professional/technical trainingthe predisposition to work in the integrated

way that will be essential to produce good

answers to increasingly demanding questions.

Paul Morrell OBE

overnment Chief Construction Adviser, HM overnment

Course studied: BSc in Quantity Surveying

‘... this role presents a real opportunity for

the sector to work with Government, and

to prepare for the skills, growth and other

challenges facing the construction industry.’



Why CEM?

It’s an internationally recognised establishment

with a reputation as the ‘Oxford and Cambridge

for surveying and real estate degrees’. As most

of the courses are RICS and/or CIOB accredited,

they provide a strong foundation for further

career progression within the surveying and

construction industries.

Why distance learning?

Simply because it complements full-time working so well. The College has an extensive

database of resources, to which you have full

access, and each module is constructed to give

you an in-depth insight into the industry. By

learning the relevant skills and theory through

the course assignments and study folders, you

are able to apply these skills and knowledge in

your everyday working life in a very practical

manner, which I am doing more and more as I

progress through the course.

The course

My role as a Trainee Development Surveyor is

to research and appraise potential development

and strategic sites. Having gone straight from

the sixth form into the development industry,

I needed to study a degree that would get me up

to speed fairly quickly with the p roperty sector,

so that I could develop further in my role; the

course has denitely given me more condence

in this regard.

The benets

Employers look favourably on individuals who

have studied a distance learning degree as

it requires a lot of determination and effort.

Another key highlight is getting the opportunity

to study new material which, although perhaps

not directly related to your working role, is still

extremely interesting. For example, I am in

the process of studying commercial property

management, which has opened my eyes to a

whole new aspect of the property industry.

The support structure

I am extremely lucky as Hill Residential has

fully sponsored me to study this degree. I have

also been fortunate enough to work with highly

skilled professionals in their eld, who are

always willing to go through complex course

elements and offer their advice.

The future

As part of the nal year of the course, you are

able to start your rst year of the RICS APC,

and this is the next challenge that I am looking

forward to starting within the next couple of

years. Once you receive the RICS accreditation,

as a surveyor you can work anywhere in the

world. I would thoroughly recommend this

career to anybody who likes change and loves

taking on new challenges.

M CEM: DEEIN TENTIAProfle: Hannah Beamish

Course: BSc in Estate ManagementJob: Trainee Development Surveyor

Employer: Hill Residential Limited, Cambridge, UK



Why CEM?

CEM offered not only a cour se that satised

the academic requirements to be eligible for

Associate Membership of RICS, but also the

opportunity to broaden my knowledge of the

property industry considerab ly.


I enjoy working in a professional environment,

with professionals, so distance learning meant

that I could assimilate and appreciate the theory learned and realise the benets on a daily basis,

whilst still carrying out a job I love doing.

The course

My role includes the management of commercial

properties and tenancies on behalf of landlords

and tenants on various forms of leases, so my

management duties are varied and encompass

most aspects of commercial property practice.

Consequently, I felt that the course was practical

and very relevant to what I do on a day to day

basis. As a bonus, some of the course subjects

also gave me valuable insight into aspects with

which I would not normally get involved, such as

planning and building pathology.

The benets

Apart from satisfying the academic

requirements of the RICS in order to become

an Associate Member, my studies at CEM have

extended my knowledge of the property industry

signicantly, and as a result I have been able

to give more considered and practical advice

to my clients. This includes being able to offer

a wider scope of solutions, often to short term

problems, that show long term benets for their

investments.


Having a full time job, as well as a young family,

whilst studying was certainly a challenge, but

the support structures, both at CEM and Carter

Jonas, helped me overcome any obstacles that would ordinarily have got in the way of me

completing the diploma. My employer gave me

nancial support, as well as access to a lot of

information via qualied specialists.

I also worked with two surveyors, who had also

studied through CEM, and found the experience

they passed on to me to be invaluable.

The future

I know that there will always be a demand

for property management services, as there

will always be property to manage, and the

dynamism of the industry means I have the

option of diversifying my activities. I plan to

complete my AssocRICS assessment this year

and I am looking forward to having a formal

qualication behind me to help me progress

further.

M CEM: AININ A CMMERCIA EDEProfle: Ryan Holmes

Course: Diploma in Surveying PracticeJob: Commercial Property Manager

Employer: Carter Jonas LLP, Newbury, UK



Why CEM?

My own particular approach was to rstly

evaluate the educational establishments

offering MBAs, and then secondly to ask for

advice and recommendations from other senior

professionals who had completed similar

courses; after much research and consideration

I decided that CEM offered the best route for my

MBA.

Why distance learning?As a mature student in a senior management

position with a young family, I needed a course

that provided real exibility when studying, but

also a structured path with rea listic deadlines.

Detailed course notes backed up by additional

quality reading matter, good communication

channels and thorough guidance throughout the

course also meant that I could use my two-hour

train commute to advantage when trying to

balance work, study and family time.

The course

As well as developing my own management

skill set, the course also broadened my whole

commercial awareness from an economic, social

and environmental perspective in the context

of global estate and construction management.

It offered a comprehensive educational path

to complement my experience, while allowing

me to research specialist areas of construction

and develop collaborative methods to deliver

sustainability solutions to discerning clients.

The benets

The emphasis the course placed on the

importance of theory and strategy being applied

to your own individual organisation has already

paid dividends. As a demonstrable example of

theory into practice, the MBA has helped me

to develop a new division within our group

and expand beyond the ofce design and

refurbishment services of Bluu Solutions.

The new Bluu Green sustainability consultancy

aligns the sustainable triple bottom lineapproach with the property strategies of our

international clients, with the aim of achieving

excellence in energy efcient solutions.


The support offered by both the College and my

employer was very good and I also found that

the fact of supporting myself nancially, while

a big commitment, kept me focused throughout.

Ultimately, however, your family support will

prove an essential part of your success, as you

need to be allowed time to dedicate to evening

and weekend study.

The future

I now have an internationally recognised

qualication, the knowledge and skills to offer

innovative solutions to prospective clients and

the condence to pursue global opportunities

and challenges for the benet of my own

diversifying organisation.

M CEM: MASTERIN SUSTAINABIITProfle: Trevor Wright

Course: MBA in Construction and Real EstateJob: Group Project Director

Employer: Bluu Solutions/Bluu Green, London, UK



Why CEM?

Several people within the building preservation

trust world, with whom I had worked and

admired (such as the late Hilary Weir), had

lectured on the course and mentioned it to me

as the ideal building conservation qualication:

at that point I had 4 years’ experience within

heritage but no formal qualications other than

my BA in Music.


I was working full time and had a young baby

when I applied and doing a full-time course was

not practical nancially or personally. Distance

learning seemed a slightly daunting prospect

but, the fact I was self-nanced and had to

be disciplined with my time, made studying

precious and so it was e asy to slip into doing the

recommended amount of study. Contact between

students was quickly established through the

forums, and the lecture days and exams were

exciting milestones along the way.

The course

The two-year diploma was just right in terms

of the time and commitment needed to gain

a recognised qualication which would give

an extra bit of ‘clout’to my career. I wanted to

work in built heritage but knew that a general

surveying qualication wouldn’t necessarily

be for me as all my passion was for historical

buildings and their context. The modules being

so varied was a major part of the appeal –

this acknowledged the role of many different

professions within heritage, without focusing

purely on the architectural or surveyingdisciplines.

The benets

The Diploma undoubtedly gave me an edge

when applying for my current role. All Trust

properties are run for the enjoyment and

education of their visitors, but at Chastleton

conservation is very much at the fore, so it was

vital that the person managing the site had a

sound technical knowledge of historic buildings,

as well as a air for presenting them to people

at all levels. The course consolidated my heritage

experience and I can now condently deal with

every aspect of running this important Jacobean

house.


Even through the upheaval of changing

employers and a having new baby, I found

the course held my attention and remained a

consistent priority. I was entirely self-funded,

which at the time was difcult, but the fact I

enjoyed the course so much, and could see

the value it was adding to my career, helped to

sustain me.

The future

The Trust has seen the value of my qualication

in terms of both my development and their

gain; with their support I have become an

incorporated member of the CIOB and I hope

to apply for full membership of the IHBC.

My project management experience has

increased and this, combined with ongoing

CPD and work shadowing, should see me in

the right direction to continue with the Trust

in a surveying role in the future.

M CEM: RESERIN UR HERITAE

TPL/Nadia Mackenzie ©NTPL/Ian Shaw

Profle: Nicola DyerCourse: PGDip in Conservation o the Historic Environment

Job: Property Operations Manager, Chastelton HouseEmployer: The National Trust, Cotswolds, UK



Why CEM?

I knew a student who was already on the

Facilities Management course and he spoke

very highly of the course structure, content and

lecturers. This, together with CEM’s reputation

in this eld, made the CEM course a natural

choice over others, and one that would expand

my horizons and underpin the experience

gained throughout my Service career.

Why distance learning?It was the only option open to me given the

need to maintain a demanding full-time

position. The exibility offered by the course

was underlined half way through when I was

appointed abroad, but was still able to continue

to study with minimum disruption. I found that

self-discipline, planning and good management

meant that I could successfully work assignment

deadlines around my employment commitments

and lifestyle without any real problems.

The course

While I had a wealth of pr actical experience,

this was very much from a Service rather

than a civilian perspective, which placed me

at a disadvantage when managing civilian

contractors. The course enabled me to

understand the theory and work practices used,

which I could then apply on a daily basis, and it

also gave me the condence to research whether

civilian techniques could be used in a warship,

thus enhancing my credibility and effectiveness

in the workplace.

The benets

The course not only broadened my horizons but

also enabled me to increase the quality of my

work, resulting in a promotion to Commander.

Additionally it has opened up a number of

Service appointments that may otherwise have

not been available to me. I now have every

condence that my successful completion of

the course will provide an excellent b asis for a

second career in the civilian environment.


While the study days are very useful, I

appreciated that CEM could record sessions as

MP3 les to ensure that those who could not

attend were not disadvantaged. My employer

saw how closely the course outline mirrored my

job description and, having assessed the benets

my increased performance was bringing to the

organisation, increased its support from partial

to total funding and provided additional study

leave.

The future

Having left school with no qualications and

having achieved only mediocre GCSEs while

in the Royal Navy, graduating at MSc level is

a wonderful feeling – it’s the pinnacle of my

academic career and one that my younger self

would have thought unachievable.

The skills I’ve acquired are essential for my

next appointment and will underpin my

transition into civilian employment.

M CEM: EANDIN ERSNA HRIzNS

© Crown Copyright/MOD

Profle: Kevin MorrisCourse: MSc in Facilities Management

Job: CommanderEmployer: Royal Navy, UK/Middle East

© Crown Copyright/MOD



Why CEM?

In order to pursue a lifelong ambition of

working overseas I needed an accredited

course with both UK and overseas recognition.

The reputation of the College as a leading

teaching institution with close links to RICS,

together with a degree validated by Reading

(which is on the Australian immigration list of

accredited universities), made obtaining my

visa and employment overseas a lot easier.


This was the only viable choice as I could not

afford to take time out of work for day release

or full-time study. Although tough, I did nd

studying this way manageable, providing I was

disciplined with my time. I attended all the face-

to-face teaching sessions and used the VLE for

the exchange of ideas and mutual support with

other students.

The course

I always felt CEM delivered the course to

the highest standard, without c ompromise.

This was echoed by my employer, who also

felt that it was both relevant and excellent

value for money. Obtaining an Honours degree

while still working made me realise how much

you can achieve if you apply yourself, and I

now have an academic qualication to support

my 20 years of industry experience.

The benets

Completing structured and detailed assignments

has helped me professionally, as I am now better

able to conduct researc h, analyse information

and produce reports, thanks to techniques

learnt during my studies. Personally, I feel more

condent in my ability and have less fear in

taking on new tasks and responsibilities, as I

know I have the skills to become competent in

new areas.


CEM staff members were very supportive,

professional and caring throughout.

The lecturers were superb, providing

practical examples for each situation with

a true relevance to the ‘real world,’and help

was always available if I had any q uestions.

My employer covered the cost of the course

and also provided time for study in my nal

year, which was a big help.

The future

Since completing the course I have moved to

Sydney and now work for a company which

specialises in the supply and management

of student accommodation. Without a doubt,

enrolling with CEM was one of the best things

I have ever done; it has changed me and my

life in a hugely positive way by improving my

condence and giving me the motivation to

strive for what I want.

M CEM: IN BAProfle: James Childs

Course: BSc in Building SurveyingJob: Design Manager

Employer: Urbanest, Sydney, Australia



Why CEM?

To have a chance of promotion, I needed a

comprehensive understanding of the property

industry. I knew only CEM could provide this.


Working full-time made distance learning

a necessity. CEM offered me the per fect

opportunity to t my study around my existing

commitments.

The course

The course more than fullled my requirements

and provided a great foundation on which to

build my property career. The online support,

electronic tutor groups, discussion boards and

weekly learning activities made it easy for me to

stay motivated.

The benets

I started the course at 52 years of age. Coming

from an administrative background with little

technical knowledge, I feel far more efcient and

condent in my role since I graduated from CEM.


The virtual learning environment keeps you in

touch with fellow students and the staff at the

College so you feel part of a community. There

is a considerable amount of support from theacademic and administrative staff and this is

given promptly and with good spirit.

The future

I have proven my commitment and shown that

it’s never too late for a career change. I felt very

proud when a colleague congratulated me on

becoming a surveyor – I still thought of myself as

the secretary!

M CEM: SURTIN CMMUNITIESProfle: Cherry Lynn

Course: Graduate Development ProgrammeJob: Landlord and Tenant Ofcer

Employer: Oxordshire County Council, UK



Why CEM?

I chose CEM because it works closely with RICS

and has a reputation as being a top college –

the built environment’s teaching equivalent to

Oxford and Cambridge!


Working full-time and having a family meant I

already had my hands quite full!

The courseI was looking for a re cognised qualication

that would take me into the surveying world – a

complete career change!

The benets

The Diploma has prepared me well for my next

career step and I thoroughly enjoyed my studies.

Now I look closely at any new construction in

London and take an interest in it. The builders

probably think: ‘What is he looking at?’! As for

exibility, I revised in my cab in the taxi ranks

at Paddington and Waterloo! The other cab bies

thought I was totally insane!


I had no experience or background in surveying

or property whatsoever. In order to be accepted

on to the course, I had to have a mentor to

oversee my work and give me pointers and

encouragement. My mentor was amazing and

allowed me to ‘shadow’him around sites for two

years.

The future

I have proved to myself that I can do it. I amenrolling on to an energy assessor course and

carrying on my new caree r. I lost my father

suddenly during the rst year of my Diploma; he

would have been very proud.

M CEM: CHANIN DIRECTINProfle: Mark Lewis

Course: Diploma in Surveying PracticeJob: London taxi driver

Employer: Sel-employed



Why CEM?

CEM is recognised within the industry for

being a centre of learning excellence and is

RICS accredited. The course allowed me to gain

a qualication while remaining in full-time

employment.


I had just secured a job in the property world

but hadn’t the benet of an industry-related

qualication. My employer was keen toencourage my professional development and

directed me to CEM.

The course

The GDP course provided me with a sound

basis on which to further develop my skills and

knowledge, allowing me to learn by experience

through my day-to-day job, and put all the

theory into context! Modules are broken down

into manageable activities, helping to focus your

attention. The course is challenging but it was

made much easier by CEM’s approach and its

virtual learning environment.

The benets

I have certainly gained a great deal of respect

from my colleagues since I graduated from CEM.

It proved I not only had the dedication and

commitment to complete my studies but also

uphold my duties as a fee-earning member of the

rm. I also got my rst company car!


The online forums help to reassure students

and remind you that you are not alone – somediscussions would get quite heated and last for

some time!

The future

I have met many people through CEM and stayed

in contact with some; in some instances, my

fellow students and friends are now clients of the

organisation I work for.

M CEM: BUIDIN M FUTUREProfle: Tim Mather

Course: Graduate Development ProgrammeJob: Surveyor

Employer: Knight Frank LLP



Why CEM?

The practical side of construction has never been

a problem for me. I wanted to learn more about

planning, design and management to back up all

my training and enable me to show that I’d made

an informed decision. CEM ticked all these boxes.


The very nature of my job means that I am often

away, usually in very difcult-to-reach places.

Distance learning provided the exibility Ineeded.

The course

The course was structured yet exible –

something I really needed it to be. Part of my

study time was spent deployed in the Falklands,

Oman and Helmand province, Afghanistan.

Deserts, remote islands and war zones are

difcult places – my primary aim was to create

safe environments and construct forward

operating bases; therefore, I needed a course that

would work around these diverse locations and

situations.

The benets

For nearly 20 years I have been building

structures, camps, schools, etc. and I was happy

with that side of things. Now I have gained

knowledge of planning, design, contracts and

the legalities, which will benet both my military

career and civilian life.


My fellow students have been an essential part of

my studies and my life, and the support network you gain through them and your tutors should

never be underestimated.

The future

Part of the plan is to set up my own business

when I retire from, or decide to leave, the Army.

In the meantime, the course has been testament

to getting through some of the hardest times of

my career.

M CEM: DISTANCE EARNIN U CSEProfle: Dave Gibson

Course: BSc in Construction ManagementJob: Sergeant Major

Employer: British Army



Why CEM?

I had previous experience of studying at CEM

before taking this course and found it to be really

helpful. Naturally, when I decided to take my

career a step further, CEM was my rst choice

once again.


An important issue for me is that distance

learning allows you to study and work at the

same time, providing the chance to stay in themarket. The real estate market is always changing

so it’s important that you keep up to date and

remain involved.

The course

Due to the growing interest from overseas

investors entering the Chinese real estate market,

the department I manage is faced with having to

produce a signicant number of due diligence

reports and we must be able to understand

the market. Investors and developers look for

different things.

The benets

The course has helped me to broaden my views

and thinking; gain more knowledge and has given

me more condence when it comes to handling

investment-related business.


My employer supports my study as part of

my professional development within the

organisation. Networking is particularly

important when you are a distance learner.

The future

I’m looking forward to graduating and putting the

condence and knowledge I have gained to good

use in my present employment.

M CEM: INESTIN IN MEProfle: Kitty Tan

Course: MSc in Property InvestmentJob: Associate Director

Employer: Savills, Shanghai



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