Marking his 15-year anniversary with Maynard Marks, we caught up with Giles Ingham as he reflects on his journey from the UK to New Zealand, key career milestones, and the evolving role of building surveying in the property and construction industry.
How did your career in building surveying commence?
My building surveying career started in the UK, where I’m from. I held a graduate position at a nationwide property consultancy in London, during which time I qualified as an RICS Chartered Building Surveyor. It was a real property hub, with lots of opportunities working for diverse clients across varied projects. I’d say it was a great launchpad for my career.
What led you to move to New Zealand?
I had great memories of NZ from my time here before university and wanted to explore the country more. I was in touch with a friend from Reading University, Richard Angell, who had recently started working for Maynard Marks not long after Stuart Wilson and Simon Paykel established the company. Richard introduced me and I quickly became a member of the team!
My arrival in New Zealand coincided with the onset of the leaky building crisis response. So, as the demand for building surveyors increased, I witnessed Maynard Marks - and my career - evolve rapidly too.
How does building surveying differ here from the UK?
In the UK, building surveying is well-established, with surveys perceived as essential for property purchases and commercial leases. In contrast, New Zealand's building surveying has historically been more niche, focusing on weathertightness and expert witness work, but now includes general building defect assessments.
This frequent exposure to complex legal cases therefore allows New Zealand building surveyors to develop advanced technical expertise earlier in their careers than they might do in the UK.
A similarity between the two markets is that building surveyors often take on project management roles, as the technical expertise we gain from assessing buildings directly informs our approach to refurbishment and construction.
After 15 years at Maynard Marks, what have been some key milestones along the way?
A key milestone in my career was becoming a registered member of the New Zealand Institute of Building Surveyors (NZIBS), building on my 2008 Chartered Building Surveyor status in the UK. Another significant achievement was relocating from Auckland to Wellington as Maynard Marks’ first employee, where I helped establish and grow the Wellington branch.
What is a memorable project you enjoyed working on?
One of the most exciting projects I’ve worked on was the façade refurbishment of one of New Zealand’s most iconic heritage buildings — the Executive Wing (Beehive) of the Parliamentary Precinct. As part of the project team, I coordinated and undertook the exterior façade condition survey and collaborated closely with the Architect and wider project team in completing further assessments as part of the design phase.
What do you think are the most important skills for those looking to pursue a career in building surveying?
Problem-solving is essential in building surveying, as clients often need help with issues they aren’t sure how to solve or need direction on a project. In each case, we determine the best investigative approach or integrate into a project team. We help create a foundation for clients to make informed decisions around managing their property or to assist designers, architects, and other stakeholders.
Analytical skills are also vital for examining project details to avoid relying on assumptions or unclear information. Even when faced with familiar situations, it’s important to choose the right approach to gather accurate information and offer suitable recommendations, bespoke to the property.
Giles Ingham is a Chartered and Registered Building Surveyor and Senior Associate at Maynard Marks. Located in our Wellington office, Giles supports our clients in the government, healthcare, education, commercial and residential sectors.
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