After a stint in the banking industry Alan changed direction in 2008 and retrained to be a commercial surveyor. Initially starting at Rowland Burkitt Chartered Surveyors his focus was on Rating and Landlord & Tenant advisory instructions. Alan joined Dunlop Heywood and returned to Rowland Burkitt Chartered Surveyors after achieving MRICS status in 2015.
Alan has extensive experience in advising clients with respect to non-domestic rating appeals and mitigating their rates liabilities. At a high level this involves determining whether a company's rates assessments are fair and accurate and whether there is any merit in lodging an appeal.
Alan strategically advises Landlords and Tenants with respect to their obligations and rights under their lease agreements. This includes specialist advice around rent reviews, lease regears and lease renewals.
James completed a post-graduate Masters course in Real Estate at Sheffield Hallam University from 2016 to 2018 prior to joining the Valuation Office Agency’s 2018 Graduate Scheme intake.
Initially spending time working for the Rating Valuation Unit East team in the VOA’s Leeds & Sheffield offices, James valued a range of properties for both the 2010 & 2017 lists focusing on office, retail, and industrial premises. James also valued more specialised properties such as places of worship, schools and builders merchants.
Having gained MRICS status in 2021, James was promoted to Lead Valuer joining the specialist industrial team within the National Valuation Unit. His role involved negotiating 2017 appeals and valuing properties for the 2023 rating revaluation. The predominant focus of his work was on the Large Distribution and Industrials market, covering large sheds occupied by the likes of Amazon and DHL.
James joined Rowland Burkitt Chartered Surveyors in October 2022 and has focused on appeal work for a range of client’s properties including industrials, day nurseries and car showrooms.
