Assistant Quantity Surveyor
katie.garvey@circledevelopment.co.uk
What expertise and background do you bring to the table?
After graduating from Heriot Watt University with a degree in Quantity Surveying, I began work for a global consultancy. During my time there, I worked on high value private and public schemes, consisting of new build residential, commercial and public buildings. Since joining Circle I have been working on both new build residential and repurpose for residential.
Can you outline the responsibilities of your role?
My role involves assisting the team through all stages of construction. This involves cost estimation and planning, preparation of tender documents, valuations and financial reporting. Generally, supporting the team to ensure effective delivery of a project is achieved, and stakeholders’ needs are met, if not exceeded.
What excites you about joining Circle, and what are your goals for the future?
I started at Circle mid June this year and have already learnt a lot. Circle’s carbon management really interests me, and after assisting in an exercise for a scheme, it is something I am keen to get to grips with and develop as a skill. Alongside this, I am aiming to become a chartered member of the RICS within the year.
I was attracted to Circle as it’s a forward-thinking, well organised and friendly place to be, offering great support and career progression too. Ive enjoyed Circle’s culture so far, everyone works hard but has a laugh whilst doing so. Its been really refreshing to experience such good collaboration and dynamism, which I think is what sets it apart from others.
What is your favourite project?
Although it hasn’t been too long since I joined, my favourite project is Hardess Yard, a co-living residential scheme in Brixton, London. Having not been fully involved in a project this early on before, I’m looking forward to seeing the project come together and how our actions as QS’s contribute to shaping the outcome. Coincidentally, I am quite familiar with the site location, it’ll be interesting to see how construction is managed with the site constraints and how the building sits within the area too.
What brings you joy outside of work?
Outside of work you can find me doing a bit of anything and everything. From bouldering to baking, pub quizzes to pottery painting, I’m quite happy (after 3 years) to still be in my ‘tourist in London’ era, with a variety of not-quite-hobbies. More consistently, I enjoy sports and gyming, going to music events, and value engineering holidays.
