RICS West Midlands appoints its youngest ever Fellow
AN associate cost manager at one of the West Midlands’ growing property firms has become the youngest Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors professional to be awarded Fellowship of the RICS in the West Midlands.
At the age of 31, Tom Bell, who works for Quantem Consulting, is the youngest person to ever become a FRICS in the region and the second ever youngest in the UK. His elevation comes less than six years after he gained his chartered status.
Fellows of the RICS are considered major achievers and leaders in their field, having completed exceptional projects of made a special contribution to the surveying profession and wider land, property and construction industry.
Mr Bell did not take the usual route into surveying. After joining Davis Langdon in 2004 he completed a five-year part time degree, attending university on a day release basis. With on the job training alongside structured learning, he was able to start his APC training in the final year of his degree.
In the six years since becoming a chartered surveyor he has helped shape some of the most prominent landmarks in the West Midlands.
Projects of note that he led on include the first phase of Jaguar Land Rover’s £0.5bn Engine Manufacturing Centre in Wolverhampton, which was a national RICS award winner in the 2014 Regeneration category.
Following this success, he has continued to work on many significant local projects, including 103 Colmore Row.
In addition to shaping the local skyline, Mr Bell has also worked in the Far East and provided procurement advice on a $500m runway extension and new terminal in Boracy, Philippines.
On learning of his new status, he said: “I was shocked when I initially found out. In my mind I had always set out to achieve Fellowship status, but didn’t expect to be the youngest person in the West Midlands to do so. It’s an honour and sets a new milestone to be beaten.”
Monique Royle, RICS West Midlands Regional Board chair, said: “Just over 20% of professionals attain Fellowship status with RICS and to do it at such a young age is an incredible achievement. Tom now joins an elite class of chartered surveyors and should be extremely proud of what he has achieved.
“Tom’s an inspiration to all newly qualified and student members and to achieve his Fellowship is a testament to his commitment to the West Midlands construction sector.”
Currently Mr Bell is an APC assessor and chairs the West Midlands QS and Construction Local Professional Group.
