RICS catches up with Kenneth Jones, student member of RICS, based in Durban, South Africa who manages the provincial commercial/industrial valuation division for a financial institution and who is responsible for both an in-house team of valuers and out-sourced valuers throughout the province.
Age36
Qualifications
ProfessionalRegistered as a Professional Valuer with the South African Council of Valuers;}Member of the South African Institute of Valuers; Student member of RICS
Current universityUCT – University of Cape Town, South Africa
CourseMSc. Property Studies – RICS accredited qualification
Year of studyFinal Year
Lives
Hobbies
Our most recent trip was to Lesotho just after Christmas where we followed, and camped along, the Senque River.
What I do
I am based in Durban – take my word for it, if you are working in South Africa make sure that you are based in either Durban or Cape Town (Durban has the better weather) rather than Johannesburg – you cannot compare the lifestyle.
My salary package is approximately R 450 000 per annum which equates to approximately £ 45 000 per annum which is a fairly good salary for Durban.
A typical working day
Immediately on arrival I would check my emails which probably number 15 to 20 per day. Valuation reports prepared by a member of my team or a report that I have outsourced are forwarded to me for checking and signature. Valuation requests are forwarded to my secretary, handed to me for allocation and then captured by her on our workflow system.
In addition to the above, I also like to keep my hand in as it were and inspect and value properties as much as possible. Management and client liaison duties also keep me occupied during the day.
The most interesting part of my work
I particularly enjoy multi-tenanted office blocks and shopping centres and valuations that are out of the ordinary.
I enjoy travelling and use any excuse to get out of the office and onto the road.
The most demanding aspect of my work
Experience has, however, taught me that successful administration is vital for any business and it is something I have to consciously force myself to tackle.
What made me pursue a career in property?
It was at this stage that I decided to become a property valuer.
How I got to this point in my career?
To qualify as a Professional Associated Valuer without restrictions one needs to both complete a period of articles and, in addition, obtain a certain level of expertise in a range of valuations.
This may be difficult as certain firms specialise and one may not necessarily obtain the requisite experience. In my case it meant consciously moving from one firm to another over a three year period.
My greatest achievement
Allied to that is my successful registration as a Professional Valuer which entails successful registration as a Professional Associated Valuer without restrictions and the writing of an examination.
Which project has given you the greatest satisfaction?One of the requirements for registration is a so-called practical valuation whereby students are given a multi-tenanted office block or shopping centre to value and examined on their final product.
My report was about 65 pages and it was by putting into practice the theory that I had studies that I really, in my own mind, learnt to become a valuer. It gave me a fantastic foundation on which to build.
Plans and ambitions for the futureCompletion of my MSc. Degree and registration with RICS as a Chartered Surveyor. My ambition has always been to run my own practice.
I would also like to continue studying and become a leader in my field.
Views on RICSIt was while I was training at CB Richard Ellis in Durban that I had my first exposure to RICS qualified Chartered Surveyors and it was at this time that I resolved to qualify as a Chartered Surveyor.
The recent involvement of RICS in South Africa and the offering by South African Universities of degree courses recognised by RICS have made this possible.
Registration as a Chartered Surveyor is recognised as the pinnacle of achievement in the valuation profession in South Africa and is one I am striving to achieve.
Favourite buildingSilver Oaks – the property I valued for my practical valuation and which I revalued for an assignment for one of the modules of my MSc. Degree. I spent lot of time and work on it and means a lot to me. It is where I learnt how to be a valuer and for that reason will always have a special place in my heart.
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