Creating desire lines for career success

In talking to Adelle Okei, a development surveyor in Carter Jonas’ Birmingham office, the word ‘trailblazer’ occurs several times. Adelle is a perfect example of someone who has determinedly pursued a passion for property development through newly available routes. In doing so, she reveals much about how opportunities for entry into our industry are changing for the better.  

At school in Birmingham in the early 2000s, Adelle was unaware of surveying as a profession. She did know that she wanted to work with maths – and that the maths involved in accountancy wasn’t interesting enough! She also knew that she wanted to work in a social context and to make a difference. So when a careers event at school introduced her to GVA Grimley (now Avison Young), she quickly realised that a career in property was for her.  

“I did two weeks’ work experience and when it ended I refused to leave,” she says. “I said, what do I need to do to stay here?" 

The answer, although she already had A levels, started with a T level. She was in the first cohort of the now popular Level 3 Surveying Technician Diploma offered through the University College of Estate Management (UCEM) at Reading University.  

The next stage was to complete a Real Estate degree apprenticeship, through Birmingham City University. “The UCEM offered a three year course, but it was 100% online and I learn so much better in person,” Adelle says. “The apprenticeship that I chose took five years but I don’t regret that.” 

Professional growth and networking

After all, Adelle had started working in a surveying practice aged 18 – the point that many of her future colleagues were experiencing freshers’ week – and was a fully qualified Associate RICS surveyor at 23 – no later than someone who had done an undergraduate degree followed by a professional qualification such as the RICS’ APC.  

Did Adelle miss freshers’ week and the varied experiences that university brings? “I’ve never regretted not going away to university,” she says. “I’ve seen my siblings finish university saddled with student debt and working in retail until they found the right job - whereas my degree was fully funded through the government apprenticeship levy and I earned throughout my apprenticeship. I was able to get on the property ladder sooner than many of my friends who’ve been to university.  

“Also RICS Matrics is a community which provides support to students, apprentices, trainees and those who are newly qualified. The opportunities to network with other young people in the profession more than compensated for the social side of university.” 

Adelle remained at Avison Young throughout her apprenticeship. “I worked in property management and office agency first. Then when I joined the development consultancy team I felt that this was the role for me.  It suited me intellectually and socially, and most importantly I felt that the work met my aspiration of making a social impact. 

“I think the best thing about an apprenticeship is that the theory and the practical experience directly benefit each other: you put into practice what you learn on a daily basis and your work helps inform your study.” Unsurprisingly, Adelle got a first class degree – which she modestly says wouldn’t have been possible without her ongoing exposure to the industry. 

Industry challenges and future vision

The decade in which she has been working in the industry (joining Carter Jonas in 2023) has been an interesting one: “I’ve worked through Brexit, the first global pandemic for a century, a war in Europe and extreme inflation. There have been a lot of ups and downs for the sector but it’s made for an interesting experience.  

“Covid was extreme and unprecedented at the time but the long term impact is a boost to the industrial market, in which we do a lot of work. The numbers buying land and building sheds has shot up. Higher build costs due to inflation have caused a levelling out, but with interest rates coming down it will pick up and the scarcity of land – around Birmingham and elsewhere – means that we remain busy.” 

Looking ahead, Adelle has clear thoughts on how she can work with others to achieve social benefits. “I’m passionate about urban regeneration,” she says.  “I’m also interested in public intervention to provide affordable housing, specifically a healthy mix of tenures.  I don’t believe creating silos by putting one type of home in one place. Talking to those impacted, alongside viability, is essential in progressing a masterplan.” 

As someone who has been at the forefront of change in her introduction to surveying, it is interesting to talk to Adelle about the future of the profession. “I have a positive view on the future use of technology,” she says. “In future I see the more mundane tasks being automated, providing us with more time to consult and advise."

“I think there will be a change in home ownership and that the number of homes available through Build to Rent will increase substantially, which again is a positive if managed well.  

“Biodiversity net gain, although challenging some viability assessments, should have the much-needed effect of driving brownfield and urban regeneration. Although greenfield land will have to be released because of population expansion, it is important that we make use of previously developed land. Homes England has recently released its funding mechanism to allow brownfield sites to be brought to market which could really open up the market and ultimately help retain Green Belt land.” 

Contributions and advocacy

As Adelle prepares to take a break from development surveying to have her first baby, she reflects on the first part of her career and changing opportunities in the sector.  “I was lucky to be introduced to a property consultancy while at  college,” she says. “But I think that more needs to be done to introduce school pupils to the fantastic career opportunities in the industry.” 

Inevitably Adelle is playing an important role in doing so.  She has returned to the Greater Birmingham Professional Services which gave her a first taste of the industry, giving talks in schools as part of the programme. Similarly as a member of the RICS Matrics West Midlands Board and RICS Matrics National Board she visited schools and universities, working with the RICS Rebuilding Cities software which provides a platform for students to experience being a surveyor.  

With the benefits that apprenticeships bring to both individuals and the property sector more generally, there is a clear advantage in facilitating more apprenticeship roles and increasing awareness.  

Across all industries, the number of apprenticeship starts is considerable, at 337,140 (2022/23 figures). But while this is an improvement on a decade ago when Adelle began her T level, it is a drop of 3.5% compared to 2021/22. The work of the RICS and the support of members will be crucial in the property profession going against the grain and encouraging more skilled and enthusiastic individuals into the sector.