A talented young company director from Liverpool has won the highly esteemed ‘UK Young Surveyor of the Year’ title for his achievements in the property industry, after beating tough competition from all over the UK at the 2016 RICS Matrics Young Surveyor of the Year Awards, held last Friday night (18 November) in London.
Matthew Fedigan, 29, Director at Domec Ltd in Liverpool took the overall top title as well as the award for the most talented surveyor in the Asset & Facilities Management category at the annual awards, which recognise and celebrate the most inspirational young surveying professionals, aged 35 and under in the UK.
Five years ago Matthew became one of two founding Directors of Domec Ltd; a multi-disciplinary facilities services provider that delivers quality solutions relating to the management and upkeep of buildings. The business has grown rapidly and boasts market leading clients across the North and Midlands including hotel groups, universities and leading institutions such as the National Trust. Matthew was not only instrumental in growing the client base and business activity, he’s also helped grow the team from two to 30 with a turnover approaching £3 million.
Commenting on Matthew’s nomination, co-founder of Domec Ltd and Managing Director, Dominic Evans – who nominated him for the award – said: “Matthew and I created Domec together, based on a shared frustration with overly bureaucratic and impersonal facilities services provision. Matthew’s drive and entrepreneurial talent really led the charge to push on with our dream of starting a successful business.”
He adds: “Matthew has been pivotal in leading our growth strategically. One year ago he led the creation and development of a sub division – Domec professional services Ltd in order to offer a wider range of technical facilities management and surveying services to our clients. Matthew has also successfully led mergers and acquisitions for Domec – a task not many 29 year olds have achieved!”
RICS judges were particularly impressed with Matthew’s continual development and expansion of the company, including currently working on the acquisition of a consultancy business, which they said really stood out as a massive achievement, especially for someone early on in their career. The judges also commended Matthew for becoming one of the youngest to Chair the RICS North West Regional Board and successfully reshaping it to retain its relevance, driving forward many initiatives to improve standards in the property industry.
Speaking on Matthew’s award win, Matt Howell, RICS Managing Director, UK & Ireland said: “Matthew’s leadership abilities and entrepreneurial talent far exceed expectation for someone still so early into their career, making him a credit to his team, clients and an ambassador for the wider property profession, which is what these awards are all about.”
He adds: “Our RICS Matrics Young Surveyor of the Year Awards celebrate the most inspirational young role models in our industry who are making a positive difference to the built environment around us, and helping to advance our sector and wider profession – Matthew certainly exemplifies these attributes and far more, making him a highly deserving winner.”
The annual RICS Matrics Young Surveyor of the Year Awards launched three years ago and there are 11 award categories, with each winner crowned the most talented in their respective sector or specialism. This year’s winners are:
Asset & Facilities Management – Matthew Fedigan of Domec Ltd in Liverpool (North West)
Building Surveying – Natasha Tyler of Powell Williams LLP in London
Commercial Agency – Matthew Brooks of MBI Surveyors Ltd in Watlington (South East)
Planning & Development – Charlton Bland of Atkins Ltd in Almondsbury (South West)
Project Management – Matthew McBrien of AECOM in Cambridge (East)
Public Sector/Academia – Michael Griffith of Deloitte LLP in London
Quantity Surveying – Stephanie Marshall of Turner and Townsend in Newcastle (North East)
Residential – Sophie Bullock of Aston Knowles Estate Agents in Sutton Coldfield (West Mids)
Rural – Carl Pearson of Fisher German in Ashby (East Mids)
Valuation – James Taylor of Lambert Smith Hampton in Leeds (Yorkshire & Humber)
Mentor – Anil Singh Rana of Capital Property and Construction Consultants in London
Each winner was selected based on their achievements around client satisfaction, innovation, successful collaboration and acting as an ambassador for the profession.
RICS Matrics Chair, Amy Leader MRICS of Essex County Council headed up this year’s judging panel. She said: “The judges and I were extremely impressed with the exceptional caliber of this year’s shortlist and indeed the winners who really are the very best of the best in the industry, enjoying hugely successful careers and actively helping to shape our local communities and the world around us. We look forward to following their careers and seeing how they inspire the next generation.”
The winners were announced in front of over 360 guests at a black tie ceremony on 18 November 2016 at the Hilton, London Bankside and were hosted by lifelong campaigner for equality and inclusion, Chris Holmes MBE, Britain’s most successful Paralympic swimmer.
