Meet the team: Theo Ambursley

Theo is a Graduate Building Surveyor in our Building Surveying team.

Where and what did you study?

I studied for a Postgraduate Degree in Building Surveying with a one-year optional placement at Kingston University.

How long have you been at CBRE?

I was here for one year as a Placement Student followed by one year as a graduate, making that two years in total.

What attracted you to join CBRE?

Without a doubt the reason I joined CBRE was the opportunity to be involved in the biggest projects, the travel opportunities, the support provided from the APC structured graduate program and the diversity of people across the many service lines.

What do you enjoy most about your role?

The fact that you can travel on a weekly basis is why I enjoy the role so much. I’ve never been someone who could sit behind a desk all day, I’ve always been an active person and the different types of work we are involved offers that ability to travel the UK and even the globe regularly.

What do you enjoy least?

I would have said the previous office which was based in the city but since we have recently moved to our newly redeveloped headquarters HH in the west end, I can’t complain anymore, check it out.

What surprised you most when you first started working at CBRE?

What surprised me the most was certainly the culture. The company culture is extremely geared at social-wellbeing and collaboration which provides a convenience of life and pleasure at work that many other companies cannot replicate. In truth before I started here, I envisaged CBRE as an older school corporate company where social wellbeing was not a priority, but I couldn’t have been any further from the truth!

What did you like the most about the graduate scheme?

I would say the greatest thing about the Grad Scheme is that everyone is always willing to help you out or offer their time, which is the most valuable source of learning in the early stages. Without a doubt I have learnt the most from the small conversations that you have on site or in the office with the qualified surveyors.

If someone came for you to tips on applying, or getting through the recruitment process, what would you say?

I think the best tip is to have a commercial awareness of the various real estate sectors but also an understanding about the wider CBRE business and how the many service lines can benefit the business through collaborative working. For example, how the Building Surveying and Environmental Consultancy teams can collaborate for a clients benefit.

Where do you see yourself in three years’ time?

In three years’, time I envision myself helping the next generation of graduates below me. I strongly believe in life that if you succeed somewhere, you should always help others and bring people up with you.

How has the business coped through the pandemic, how has your working day changed?

Starting at CBRE on the graduate scheme under a work from home policy was made seamless, purely because of the size and dedication of the business to match the needs of the people by providing the right support and setup. It really does make a huge difference having a laptop and phone pre-configured to what you need to access, as well as clear lines of communication to your team. With regards to the work we still have that balance of being in and out of the office, as well as working from home.

If you are currently studying building surveying and looking for a chance to kick start your career, there’s never been a better time to join CBRE.