A graduate surveyor at DM Hall has fulfilled the promise she showed upon winning the firm’s annual bursary scheme by sailing through her assessment of professional competence (APC).
The news means that Morgan Smith now qualifies as a member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). She was the first ever winner of the DM Hall scheme in 2022, which was established as a tribute to DM Hall’s former senior partner, John Young, who died in June 2021 at the age of 80.
The 28-year-old took just two years to complete her APC, which ensures candidates are competent and meet the high standards of professionalism required to become a chartered surveyor. Now working in DM Hall’s Dunfermline office, Morgan is focusing on home reports, with a special interest in energy performance certificates (EPCs) and is concentrating on building relationships with clients and promoting the profession.
She said, “I am just delighted to have completed the APC, which was challenging, but at the same time rewarding. As DM Hall has so many specialist departments, I was able to gain varied experiences which developed my overall understanding. I found it interesting moving from the atmosphere of university to full-time work in a professional role with responsibilities and deadlines to meet. It was a learning curve, but one managed with a supportive team around me.
“I have enjoyed getting out and about in the community, meeting new people, meeting clients and hearing their stories. Every day has been different, but it has always been fun and engaging.”
Morgan joined the firm in 2023 after graduating in business studies, then went on to study an MSc in real estate at the University of Glasgow. Completion of the APC is a major career milestone, signalling the gold standard in property and construction.
The DM Hall bursary she won marked the enduring contribution made to the firm by John Young, who joined DM Hall in 1970 and opened its Glasgow office before spearheading a rapid expansion in the 80s which led to the firm now having 23 offices throughout the UK and 225 staff.
Chris Stark, the DM Hall director leading the residential team in Dunfermline, supervised Morgan over the course of her training and mentored her until completion. He said, “We are delighted Morgan has been successful and achieved her MRICS qualification. Morgan has shown dedication, determination and an eagerness to learn since she joined the firm and, as the first winner of the John Young bursary, she has fulfilled the high expectations which accompanied her. We expect to see further rapid progress in her career and we are delighted that she has become such a valuable member of the team.”
Morgan added, “I cannot thank Chris and the team enough. There is no doubt in my mind, that I couldn’t have achieved this without the guidance from them.”
