My Background

I left university with a BSc (Hons) in Business management and an MA in Planning Policy and Practice. After managing a property-led business helping to achieve planning permission for lodges, I worked for two London Borough Planning teams before joining Berkeley Homes (Oxford and Chiltern) in February 2010. Within two weeks I was fortunate to transfer to a new Beaconsfield office and support the growth of the recently launched Three Valleys division of Berkeley Homes.

My Role

Within Three Valleys, I immediately had close involvement with a number of different sites. Working with the Land Director means no two days are the same; from investigating a site's potential through research and indicative sketching, financial appraisals or conducting negotiations with land owners on site, Berkeley offers challenging opportunities on the Graduate Scheme in a fast-paced environment.

I am currently working on my own proposals for several sites in conjunction with larger Divisional projects and sourcing other development opportunities. Recently I had significant involvement in preparing a tender for a 215 dwelling site in Hertfordshire and assisted in compiling the market research and planning reports presented to the Board. I was also involved in the research and report production for the Division's first successful site purchase, and have started negotiations with land owners of sites I am responsible for.

To be involved in every stage of land acquisition and guided by colleagues in various departments shows the value graduates have throughout the Berkeley Group and completing projects in this way is very rewarding. The flexibility to be proactive and take on increased responsibility emphasises the unique approach of the Graduate Scheme to tailor experience and develop skills across a range of disciplines to shape your career. To this end the work I undertake is eligible for submission towards becoming a Chartered Member of the RTPI.

I have also been elected as the Three Valleys Sustainability Representative, responsible for monitoring and reporting Divisional energy use to the Group and acting as a central point of contact for the Carbon Reduction Commitment (CRC) Energy Efficiency Scheme. Taking on such additional roles, alongside land projects, means that I am continually tested and challenged to learn new skills in a way that not many other firms provide.

My Background

Before joining the Land and Planning Department at Berkeley Homes (Urban Renaissance), I spent four years studying towards a career in property at Reading University. Whilst at school I recognised the potential challenges and excitement which the property industry could offer and as a result enrolled on a 3+1 Land Management BSc and Urban Planning & Development MSc. After undertaking a series of placements it became clear that I wanted to be involved on the client side of development, making things happen and delivering quality. This focused my search for a graduate role and led me to apply to Berkeley.

My Role

In February 2010 I joined the Land & Planning Team within the Urban Renaissance division of Berkeley Homes, which is based at Chelsea Bridge in London. Enabling Berkeley to deliver successful quality development is the core role for the Land and Planning Team. In principle we are responsible for buying land and delivering planning permissions to the production departments.

My current role focuses on taking the next phases of two large scale developments through the design and planning process. Both schemes are potentially 30 year projects, each providing close to 4000 new homes, including a mix of new commercial and community space. Located in Greenwich, Kidbrooke and The Royal Arsenal are two of the most exciting regeneration schemes in the UK; Kidbrooke is transforming what was a 1970's council estate and The Royal Arsenal is injecting new life into a site which was once at the heart of Britain's arms production.

On a day to day basis there are always new challenges to overcome; the role is demanding, but highly rewarding and extremely varied. A strong understanding of design principles, planning policy and financial appraisals are important. My role often demands site visits, meetings with stakeholders and consultants, the researching of comparables and the analysis of a site or schemes opportunities and constraints in both a physical and planning context.

The Berkeley Graduate Scheme rewards motivated individuals, providing a base to rapidly develop skills and build upon a university education. The integrated business structure within Berkeley sees graduates take responsibility from the outset and work very closely with a highly professional and experienced management team. The level of exposure within the Graduate Scheme continues to impress me and the support provided, including specific support of the RICS APC scheme, goes further to endorse the Scheme as an excellent platform to launch a career in property.

My Background

With my family background largely based in commercial and residential property and having gained a significant amount of experience in construction (working on a number of building sites as an operative), I joined Berkeley in February 2010 having completed a Real Estate Masters at Oxford Brookes in 2009.

I became particularly interested in working for Berkeley whilst completing my Masters degree. Their financial strength and the astute decisions they made prior to the recession meant that Berkeley were one of the few companies in the property sector able to effectively recruit graduates in 2009. As a result of the downturn many on my course struggled to gain employment with the surveying practices the course geared graduates towards.

The recruitment process for Berkeley was the most relevant and appropriate I have experienced. I was recruited directly into the Land and Planning Team for Berkeley Homes (Urban Renaissance), reflecting my previous work experience and education. The process involved an initial interview, followed by a report and presentation that were set on assessing the viability of a real development site.

My Role

The Graduate Scheme recruitment process gave an insight into the job role that I now experience everyday – visiting sites, investigating local sales, establishing planning constraints and then using this information to produce an initial appraisal of the suitability of a site for development by Berkeley. The Land and Planning Team carefully select the most appropriate sites for acquisition, work in conjunction with the design team to produce the most suitable scheme for a particular site and then deliver the land with planning permission to the production team.

I am also involved with a number of existing projects, some of which are part of the St Edward joint venture. I have worked extensively on Green Park Village, a development of over 700 homes in Reading. The scheme has an existing planning consent but Berkeley have revisited the project to produce a scheme that is more viable in light of the difficult market conditions.

Working for Berkeley is extremely rewarding and I have been given a large amount of responsibility from a very early stage. The role is varied and stimulating and requires a significant amount of quick and focused judgement. The efficient management structure of Berkeley means that I work with senior management on a daily basis, providing me with unrivalled exposure to the decision making process in a company the size of Berkeley.       

My Background

I studied Architectural Engineering and Design Management at Loughborough University and graduated in 2009. During my final year of university I realised that I wanted to specialise in the residential sector and work for a large developer. After leaving university I found a job in the technical department of a natural ventilation manufacturer and following my application and interview, I was delighted to be offered a job in the Technical Department of Berkeley Homes (Capital) starting in February 2010.

My Role

I am currently working with Technical Managers in our department on three small sites and two large developments. This is giving me a wide range of experience with varying budgets for the designs. To date I have worked closely on two projects in the Croydon area, liaising with our consultants and delivering the design approval and requests for information that are required by site. Since joining Berkeley I have been given an increasing amount of responsibility and in the near future I will be seeing one of the Croydon projects through to the end independently. Additionally, during a recent conversation with my Director in which we discussed my future within the company, we agreed that the next step for my development is Chartership, which I aim to achieve within the next 2 to 3 years.

The learning curve at Berkeley can be quite steep at times, but if you have the ambition and drive to see the job through then you will fit in well. I have learned so much in the time that I have been here and I can see my career developing before my eyes, I look forward to the varying challenges ahead and the opportunity to better myself.

My Background

I graduated from the University of Bath in 2009 with a degree in BSc General Architectural Studies (RIBA Part I). I chose not to continue with a formal architectural education, instead opting to find a position that would compliment my passion for design with a will to succeed in a competitive and commercially driven organisation.

I was attracted to The Berkeley Group because of the company's obvious desire to continually enhance its reputation for quality design, and its forward thinking attitude towards topics such as sustainable development.

My Role

I began work with Berkeley Homes (Southern) as a Graduate Trainee in the Technical department in February 2010.  Unlike many graduate schemes, where it is commonplace to rotate through a series of work placements across the organisation, the Berkeley recruitment process had allocated me to a role where my skill set could be readily utilised. I was therefore able to contribute to the department from day one, something which I see as a major benefit to the Berkeley scheme.

I regularly assist the Technical Managers with drawing work on a variety of different housing schemes. Being given the opportunity to work on projects of varying scales and at differing stages of the construction process has enhanced my rate of learning. I've worked on multi-phase schemes at Fleet and North Bersted, both of which are in the early phases of construction and will continue for years to come. Conversely, I've also worked on the internal fit out of apartments to a 19 storey tower in Basingstoke, a project nearing completion, as well as various smaller schemes across Sussex and Surrey that are fresh out of the planning phase.

Consecutive days are rarely the same; work may involve drawing a site wide conveyance plan for a 300 unit scheme one day, and then drawing bespoke construction details at a 1:5 scale the next. Working for The Berkeley Group has allowed me to utilise and enhance many of the skills I attained from my university education, whilst complimenting my skill set with attributes that can only be acquired when working within such a successful team.

It is obvious that all employees have the opportunity to share thoughts and ideas with members of the management team, and such a mentality is actively encouraged, one of the many reasons that make working for Berkeley an enjoyable and rewarding experience.

My Background

I first graduated in 2007 in Modern History and Politics. I had family working in the construction industry and they recommended I try and find some work experience to get into the profession. I joined a local firm of Quantity Surveyors and worked there for just over a year picking up some valuable on-site and office experience. Mid-way through 2008 I applied to study Planning Growth and Regeneration at Cambridge and I completed my masters there in July 2009 (RICS accredited). In a challenging job market Berkeley stood out as a 'must apply' for me given my course direction which focused on real estate development and regenerating urban areas. I was delighted to be considered for interview in the Commercial Department where I met my current boss at Berkeley Homes Southern and was very impressed how key figures in the business were there to meet their prospective employees. When I was offered a position, I jumped at the chance and have very much enjoyed my experience so far.

My Role

The Commercial Department really is the hub of the business as it looks after the entire lifecycle of the development. Senior management in the department analyse each development proposal which comes forward from the land team and give the go ahead to the best options for the business. From there a Quantity Surveyor or a small team run the site financially, including all the cash flow and budget reporting, and will also work with the construction team to place the correct sub-contractors to deliver the work for Berkeley at the correct price. A surveyor in the commercial team at Berkeley is more than just a 'brick counter', you are on the front line project managing the subcontractors and working with the buying team to deliver material to site on time to meet the build programme. From my six months experience so far I would say what makes Berkeley stand out is the company culture and attention to detail which goes into all that we produce. Commercially this can be challenging and you will be expected to work hard, but the rewards are working on interesting sites and seeing real results on the ground.

In the hardest market in years Berkeley has delivered a £110 million profit and won Housebuilder of the Year in 2010. The company has done that by operating shrewdly and maintaining a commitment to quality which has built them an excellent reputation in the market. The very fact that the company is recruiting graduates and looking toward the future is encouraging for me and for all the staff. To conclude, if you are looking for a job where you are rewarded for hard work and are part of a company with a top class reputation then look no further than the industry leader – The Berkeley Group.

My Background

I studied Civil Engineering for two years before switching to Quantity Surveying and Construction Commercial Management in Nottingham graduating with a high 2:1. I also completed an industrial placement abroad in Boston in the US and had experience with a major PQS firm before joining Berkeley in February 2010.

My Role

Working for a developer as a QS is very different to the traditional roles as a PQS or Contractors QS. You are managing the clients money while being the client at the same time. The business is constantly weighing up whether spending more money now will produce a more saleable and profitable end product. Flexibility is crucial as the market place is constantly changing and we are always looking to maximise our profits while maintaining the very high standards of quality, sustainability and customer service that Berkeley is renowned for and our customers expect.

I am part of the commercial team for the Stanmore site in North London. It's a very large mixed-use scheme combining houses and flats, social and private housing with a multi storey car park and commercial units which will provide offices and shops. I am in charge of procuring and managing the 10.5 million pound Commercial Units and Multi Storey Car Park. We have a very challenging construction programme to meet and work hard as a team to solve problems and make decisions on a daily basis. This makes my role challenging, exciting and rewarding in equal measure. I was honoured and a bit daunted at first to be given such a large responsibility so early on but I have strong support from the team and the directors when I need it.

I am also studying for my APC with the RICS to become a chartered surveyor. Berkeley are firm believers in training and are putting me through my APC while helping me to gain a much wider experience and knowledge base within the company and the industry as a whole. I have done benchmarking exercises on upcoming sites to gain a better understanding of the overall business and will be working with other departments to give me the experiences and knowledge I need to complete the APC.

Berkeley is widely acknowledged as an industry leader. They reward hard work and commitment with responsibility, place a high value on training and are always striving to lead the industry. Joining Berkeley as a graduate is a unique opportunity to work with some of the best people in an exciting, challenging and constantly evolving industry.

My Background

I studied a Construction Management BSc degree at Sheffield University, completing placements with a leading main contractor including a £300million hospital project. After leaving university I worked with a local developer in Manchester, designing and pricing small scale private developments. I then decided I wanted to move into the high-level property sector with a company that could offer me the experience and opportunities that I sought. I joined Berkeley in February 2010.

My Role

I have initially joined the newly formed St Edward Homes; a joint venture between the Prudential investment company and Berkeley Homes. St Edward Homes are currently developing a scheme in North London, comprising of 750 private, social and shared ownership houses and apartments. The development is divided into a series of phases over several years, and also features commercial units, a resident's gym and large areas of landscaping along with three blocks protruding from an artificial lake.

I currently work on Phase 1 of the project with the construction team whose role it is to manage the build process. In my role I manage a specific block, with my key responsibilities including the co-ordination of sub-contractors and ensuring that their contract of works is completed to the required level of quality, within programme, within budget and to the architects / consultants drawings, as well as ensuring the operational safety of the site.

The role involves constant liaison with sub-contract management along with Berkeley technical, commercial, sales and senior management teams. The diversity of the role means that you face a new challenge everyday helping to develop knowledge of the company and the industry and build working relationships. It also involves putting the technical knowledge learnt through academia into practice. Upon completion of my current phase I will be moving to a new flagship development in Kensington.

The opportunities for training and development within Berkeley is among the best and their industry leading image is backed up by a management team keen to offer responsibility along with help, advice and support. This gives graduates the platform to build successful careers and strive for the performance that Berkeley depends on.

My Background

I graduated from Oxford Brookes University in 2009 with a 2:1 BSc (Hons) degree in Construction Management. This was a 4 year course, with a 1 year work placement spent working for a large Construction and Civil Engineering Contractor in Central London.

My Role

I joined Berkeley Homes (Oxford and Chiltern) in February 2010 as a Graduate Trainee in the Construction department. I have always been keen to further my site-based experience and soon after joining I was given the opportunity to join the project team at Slade Park, Oxford; a 378 bedroom purpose-built student accommodation site specifically for Oxford Brookes University. Having been in student accommodation at the same university four years earlier, this project was of particular interest to me, and I have thoroughly enjoyed working closely with both Oxford Brookes and the site team alike.

Since joining the site team, I have predominantly been involved with coordinating the handover of the student pods between Berkeley Homes and Unite Modular Solutions. This has enabled me to develop my supervisory and communication skills at all levels, providing some interesting challenges along the way. Furthermore, it has given me a better insight into the roles and responsibilities of the trades on site.

Aside from handing over units, I have spent a great deal of time with the two site managers on site; both of whom look after separate elements of the development. This has enabled me to further my knowledge on both the internal and external works of the project, whilst at the same time providing variety and new challenges everyday.

Upon completion of Slade Park in August, I am due to return to the office to spend time in various other departments (from the design stage through to the customer relations team) so that I can gain a better understanding of the role they play in assisting with a development. I am keen to see how decision making at the various stages affects work on site, and to learn the rationale behind them.