Richard Gleeson

NAME: Richard Gleeson
JOB: Commercial manager
EMPLOYER: Bovis Lend Lease
QUALIFICATION: BSc commercial management and quantity surveying, Loughborough University

I am currently working as a commercial manager on a mixed-use project on Oxford Street in London. I started the APC in my industrial placement year, which gave me a head start when I finished university as I had already recorded 12 months of experience for my interim assessment. I wanted to gain the qualification because it is a mark of professionalism and demonstrates how the theory learned at university can be applied in a work environment.

What the APC involved

I had to keep a daily record of my experience across a range of competences, from teamwork and self-management to procurement and financial control. I also had regular progress reports with an RICS counselor who was able to advise on how best I could gain experience in all the relevant competences. At the end of the 24 months’ training, I had to write a final submission and critical analysis, as well as make a ten-minute presentation to a board of assessors who then spent 50 minutes asking questions about my experience and knowledge of the RICS code of conduct. I started revising three months before and was given the previous week off for study leave – it was really tough but a great feeling when I finally passed.

Advice on passing the APC

The main thing is to keep motivated and look for a broad range of work to carry out. I’d recommend recording your experiences as soon as you start working. It’s easy to fall behind with your diary and you learn something relevant each day so it’s worth taking five or ten minutes to update your notes.