Keep up to date with the latest Andrew Granger & Co news
Tue 17 August 2021
Continuing with our ‘meet the team’, this month we are happy to introduce you to Peter Chennells, an Associate in our Rural Department. Peter is a Rural Practice Chartered Surveyor and RICS Registered Valuer who is a much-valued part of the Department.
What made you choose this industry and area of work?
Having grown up on the family farm, I think it is safe to say it is in my blood. I studied Geography at Aberystwyth University before completing a Masters in Land and Estate Management at The Royal Agricultural University. I then moved to Loughborough where I joined Andrew Granger and Co. as a graduate surveyor. I have since then completed my APC (Assessment of Professional Competence) to become a chartered surveyor.
How does your working day start?
Switch the laptop on, make a cup of coffee, check emails or maybe check the route to the first outing. We then have our morning team zoom meeting to check we are all up to date and in the know with what is going on and sharing with each other what our plans for the day are.
What can a typical day involve for you?
Each day is different, some days I’m barely at the desk because I am out and about. I could be out inspecting land for valuation, meeting farmers/landowners to provide advice or assisting with countryside stewardship agreements and applying for grants, which generally then requires a map and some colouring pencils back at the office! It is not just the land we look at, it is the buildings within it too, such as farm buildings, houses, churches, and commercial units. As a team, we may be providing services to charities, trusts, private companies or institutes, and the local community.
Other days, I’m at the desk, writing valuations, tenancies, completing applications, writing letters, and popping to the post office to send them or answering the phone to help and advise our range of clients - and of course, recently, this is all from home. I work within a great team and the transition to working from home couldn’t have been smoother – once we figured out the phone system! I do enjoy it when I need to pop into the office a few times in the week – it is nice to catch up with our team in person – particularly now in our new open plan workspace.
What do you like most about your job?
I love that I can be out and about, getting to know the land and the farmers around East Midlands. This job is home from home for me and I like that I can be out in the thick of it and get to know the current climate and all the different ways in which this industry works. I enjoy meeting and getting to know my clients, new and old.
What is the most challenging aspect of your job?
Working in this role comes with the challenge of staying up to date in an ever-changing environment. Also, this role can mean that I’m the bearer of bad news sometimes, such as telling someone that they’re not the successful purchaser of land or a property - which is never an enjoyable part of the job.
What do you like to do when you’re not at work?
As you can probably assume from the job title, I love being outdoors and being with friends and family. You’ll either find me playing rugby, football, trekking up a hill somewhere in the UK, cycling or playing squash from time to time. And of course, there is always time for a beer or two in between all of that!
Are you an early bird or a night owl?
Definitely a bit of both! I enjoy the early start and trying to fit as much in as possible into my day.
Andrew Granger & Co’s rural department offers a whole host of rural services across Leicestershire and the East Midlands. You can find out more here www.andrewgranger.co.uk/pages/rural
