A young Stirlingshire surveyor has won a UK-wide accolade at the RICS Young Surveyor of the Year Awards.
Kevin Keane, who works for e.surv Chartered Surveyors, triumphed in the Valuation category at the awards, which recognise the most talented surveyors in the country aged 35 or under.
RICS said Kevin was honoured for his professionalism, determination, perseverance, and commitment to inspire future talent after fighting off competition from 90 shortlisted surveyors from around the UK.
Achieving his MRICS qualification in 2019, Kevin has been described as ‘exemplifying professionalism’. He has completed mortgage valuations, Home Reports and surveys across Stirlingshire. When lockdown restrictions last year resulted in 80% of the workforce bring furloughed, Kevin was one of few surveyors retained as part of the ‘Green Team’, conducting desktop valuations, responding to post-valuation queries, and collaborating with clients to help sustain the housing market.
RICS added that Kevin balances the demands of a job he loves with caring for his husband, Daniel, who lives with Multiple Sclerosis. During his APC, Daniel had an optical neuritis, losing his sight for a year. Kevin continued working full-time, covering the loss of income and taking days off to go to the hospital while juggling the commitments of the APC programme.
He has become a technical partner with his company’s learning and development team, and is also a founding member of the group inclusion and diversity forum for LSL Property Services, representing the interests of surveyors in the LGBTQ+ community.
All the winners were announced at a ceremony hosted by broadcaster and presenter Jo Ankier at the Hilton Park Lane in London.
The full list of winners was as follows:
- RICS Matrics UK Young Surveyor of the Year – Mirona Tomala of Gleeds in London
- Apprentice of the Year – Chloe Hartley of Mott McDonald in Yorkshire and Humber
- Asset and Facilities Management – Laura Walker of Bradley Hall Chartered Surveyors in the North East
- Building Surveying – Joe Campbell of Rider Levett Bucknall in Yorkshire and Humber
- Commercial property – Elise Thompson of BPS Chartered Surveyors in the South East
- Land (Rural and Urban) – Abigail Jones of Savills (UK) Ltd in the East of England
- Mentor of the Year – Victoria Carter of AECOM in London
- Project Management – Mirona Tomala of Gleeds in London
- Quantity Surveying & Construction – Javaad Khalil of Consult North in the North East
- Residential property – Joe Fraser of Joe Fraser Chartered Surveyors in the North East
- Valuation – Kevin Keane of e.surv Chartered Surveyors in Scotland
