The commercial business team at Galbraith has welcomed experienced chartered surveyor Nicola Charleston to the firm’s Edinburgh office. The appointment is notable because Nicola previously worked for Galbraith and is returning to the fold after five years living and working in Sydney.
Nicola was previously employed in Galbraith’s Perth office for two years before jetting off to the sunnier climes of Australia in 2012. She has now returned to Scotland and is back working for Galbraith with responsibility for clients in Edinburgh, Perthshire and Stirling.
Nicola said: “I’m so pleased to be back among my former colleagues and working with people I learned so much from and really enjoyed working with before. I must have enjoyed the job to travel 10,000 miles back to it! In my previous time with Galbraith, I undertook my training for accreditation by the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors, and I was well supported by Galbraith throughout. While in Sydney I was involved in financial modelling, reporting and planning research for a number of properties, in particular shopping centres. I also gained valuable experience in the coordination and analysis of all aspects of property transactions across a range of property sectors, which enabled me to develop a set of skills I can put to use for clients here. I had a great time in Australia but it’s hard living so far away from family and friends, which prompted the decision to come home. I was very fortunate to be reappointed by Galbraith on my return.”
Nicola works with landowners, rural estates and private individuals who are looking to create an income stream from their land, by undertaking planning research and preparing strategies to identify the future potential of sites. Nicola and the commercial team also advise on valuation, renewable projects and approaches to rating appeals.
Nicola said: “As always this is a very varied job and legislation is constantly changing. Since I’ve been away the planning regulations imposed by local authorities are even stricter, if anything, although submitting documentation is a lot more efficient, which makes our job easier.”
Calum Innes, who leads Galbraith’s commercial property department in the Perth office, commented: “We are delighted to welcome Nicola back to the commercial team. At Galbraith we continually invest in our staff and we are very pleased that Nicola accepted the offer to return to our firm. I have no doubt that the skills she has acquired whilst being away will be of great advantage in adding value both to the firm and our clients.”
The commercial division of the firm manages in excess of £450 million of property across the UK with a £6.5 million rent roll as well as providing asset management, investment, valuation, facilities management, sales, lettings and acquisition services. The department provides a range of agency, consultancy and professional services to private clients across the various commercial property sectors.