Top Chartered Surveyor firm, Bruton Knowles, has appointed Harry Lea as the newest Senior Surveyor within the planning and development service as part of its bold 2022 workforce expansion plans.

In an historic year for the firm, as it celebrates its 160th anniversary, Bruton Knowles is aiming to expand its headcount across all areas of the business.

Harry is the latest addition to the innovative and forward-thinking company, which is embracing the hybrid working trend in the post-pandemic era. His local office base is in Gloucester.

He joins Bruton Knowles with almost a decade of surveying experience in both the public and private sectors, having most recently worked for Cheltenham Borough Council’s property and asset management team.

There, he was involved in one of the Southwest region’s most prestigious schemes, the Golden Valley Development project, which is set to create a visionary integrated cyber and digital innovation campus.

Prior to that, Harry was employed by one of the large commercial real estate consultants, where he delivered surveying requirements across a broad spectrum of industrial and logistics schemes.

He has an in-depth knowledge of the market as well as professional expertise as a registered Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) valuer.

Harry’s appointment comes at an important time for Bruton Knowles, which has shown immense robustness in surviving the impact of the Covid-19 lockdowns and thriving thereafter.

As the economy bounced back, the business has continued to go from strength to strength and is on an upward trajectory in terms of bid wins and an expanding client base.

Harry’s remit will be to offer specialist advice to clients, steering them through the planning and development phases of their schemes in order to realise the potential of their assets.

Speaking about his appointment, Harry said: “I was looking for an employment opportunity which would allow me to expand my private sector development advisory experience.

“In particular, I was keen to work more closely with housebuilders and private landlords, as well as with local authorities from the other side.

“When the opportunity at Bruton Knowles came along, I snapped it up; the firm offered me career progression, ongoing professional development, and the ability to work flexibly.

“I’m delighted to be part of an incredibly supportive team. So far, I’ve been able to help a range of clients to enhance their interests in relation to development and regeneration opportunities, as well as provide valuation and viability advice on a variety of residential led schemes.”

Bruton Knowles has 11 offices across the UK and employs over 200 staff. During the first national lockdown, the business restructured in response to the changing marketplace to build up organisational resilience.

This resulted in the establishment of four National Teams in Utilities and Infrastructure, Building Consultancy, Commercial and Valuation, with the core planning and development service underpinning these.

By re-focusing on the core growth areas of the business, Bruton Knowles has now been instructed by more clients than ever before.

As a one-stop-shop, the National Teams and planning and development service provide a point of contact to deliver an entire project to the exacting standards required.

The approach has been significant for the business, and there are plans to launch more National Teams in due course.

Bruton Knowles’ latest recruitment campaign - badged #workyourway - aims to expand the workforce in response to growth across the business.

The objective is to complement the existing high calibre workforce with new talent from across the sector.

Scott Winnard, Partner at Bruton Knowles and senior member of the planning and development team, commented: “We’re delighted to have Harry on board, and he is already proving to be a real asset within the team.

“Planning and development continues to be one of the most valued services we offer. We are very proud of our team of experts who continue to go that extra mile.

“They strive to understand client needs whilst balancing these with the commercial realities of the market to ensure their viability.”

Bruton Knowles has extensive expertise and in-depth market knowledge of local and national property markets throughout the UK. Using its team of motivated resourceful surveyors, the firm provides the absolute best commercial property advice. www.brutonknowles.co.uk.