Young Surveyor/Commercial Manager of the Year

Recognising a young surveyor who has demonstrated outstanding skill, accuracy, and professionalism in their work, contributing to the success of construction projects.

This year’s finalists represent the precision, leadership, and progressive thinking that define the modern surveying and commercial management profession — from shaping billionpound projects to mentoring future talent.

Freya Burns – Vinci Building

Overview

As an Assistant Quantity Surveyor working on the HID Project in Dudley, Freya Burns has quickly established herself as an invaluable member of Vinci’s commercial team. Since joining the scheme in September, she has taken on significantly greater responsibility than her previous roles exposed her to, stepping confidently into higher-level commercial tasks such as Project Value Reconciliation, Cost to Complete reviews, and preliminary cost analysis. Freya now manages complex subcontractor packages from procurement through to final account, giving her full visibility of commercial decision-making and risk management.
Her role also extends to supporting the onboarding and development of Vinci’s apprentice QS, enabling her to strengthen her leadership and mentoring skills while reinforcing the company’s internal capability. Her work under the innovative Integrated Project Insurance (IPI) alliancing contract has further developed her communication, negotiation, and multi-stakeholder coordination skills—critical strengths for a rising commercial professional.

Why She Stood Out

Freya has consistently exceeded expectations, demonstrating commercial maturity far beyond her current level. One of her earliest achievements on the HID scheme was rationalising the project value—a task she had never undertaken before—which brought clarity to package budgets and ensured accurate cost control.
Her standout work includes leading the challenging negotiations for the Roskel SFS, partitions and ceilings package. Despite tight budget pressures, Freya drove a series of negotiations that questioned design assumptions, pursued value engineering, and secured programme efficiencies. Her diligence prevented a potential £200k loss and delivered the package on budget.
She has also proactively identified opportunities for Vinci’s self-delivery, such as championing the procurement of masonry materials directly—an initiative that increased project profitability.
Freya’s excellence extends beyond commercial performance. She is committed to promoting careers in construction, delivers regular school and college outreach sessions, and passionately advocates for women entering the industry. Her academic performance is equally exceptional; she has consistently achieved first-class grades in her university work and is on course to graduate with top honours.

Impact

Freya’s contribution to Vinci and the HID project has been significant. Her ability to integrate seamlessly into the team, combined with her proactive and positive approach, has strengthened collaboration and improved day-to-day project delivery.
She has driven value by identifying internal self-delivery opportunities, contributed to regional safety and compliance initiatives, and confidently supported both senior colleagues and junior team members.
Her active involvement in social value initiatives—including CV workshops, school visits, and company roadshows—has helped Vinci build stronger community relationships and raise the profile of construction careers. Freya’s confidence, clarity of communication, and willingness to speak up for safety have made her a trusted and respected member of the project team.

Highlights

• Led value engineering and negotiations on key subcontractor packages, preventing a projected £200k overspend and securing the order within budget.
• Delivered full end-to-end subcontract management, from procurement to final account, across increasingly complex packages.
• Enhanced Vinci’s commercial outcomes by driving internal self-delivery opportunities, including sourcing masonry materials to maximise profitability.
• Actively promotes careers in construction, delivering school/college outreach, CV workshops, and supporting internal communications and newsletters.
• Advocates for women in construction, sharing her personal journey and helping dismantle industry stereotypes.
• Strong academic performance, maintaining first-class grades throughout her degree and progressing steadily toward RICS chartership.
• Supports junior colleagues, mentoring Vinci’s apprentice QS and sharing expertise in digital systems, procurement procedures, and onsite operations.
• Engages deeply in health & safety, participating in inspections, challenging unsafe practices, and contributing to Vinci’s regional safety discussions.
• Represents Vinci at regional roadshows, confidently presenting lessons learned and the importance of apprenticeships.

Rachel Cunningham – Soben, part of Accenture

Overview

A rising star at Soben, Rachel Cunningham has swiftly established herself as a technically proficient and inspirational Quantity Surveyor, managing complex, high-value projects that are shaping the UK’s energy and data infrastructure. Since joining the business in 2023, she has demonstrated exceptional commercial intelligence and leadership on a diverse portfolio, including a major data centre project in the Netherlands and a £10bn transmission programme supporting the UK and Scottish governments’ 2030 renewable energy targets. Why They Stood Out

Rachel combines analytical excellence with natural leadership. Her meticulous approach to cost management and risk mitigation has driven efficiency across Soben’s flagship projects, while her collaborative style has enhanced communication between consultants and clients.

Her influence extends beyond project delivery — she mentors trainee surveyors within

Soben’s East Kilbride office, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and teamwork. A STEM ambassador and Building’s 40 Under 40 honouree, Rachel also devotes time to inspiring young women to pursue careers in construction. Her commitment to professional development, evidenced by achieving MRICS chartership in 2023, underscores her ambition to lead by example and raise industry standards.

Highlights

• Managing high-value infrastructure projects, including a £10bn transmission initiative.
• Delivered cost efficiency and collaboration gains across major European data centre projects.
• Achieved RICS chartership (MRICS) in 2023.
• Recognised in Building’s 40 Under 40 for her impact and leadership.
• Mentors trainee surveyors and promotes STEM careers to students.
• Advocates for diversity and inclusion across the surveying profession.

Ria Curtis – Fortem

Overview

Since joining Fortem in 2020, Ria Curtis has proven herself as a dynamic and commercially astute Quantity Surveyor, combining financial precision with people-focused leadership. Her journey from Management Trainee to Quantity Surveyor at Fortem’s Orbit branch showcases an exceptional trajectory driven by hard work, professionalism, and a passion for delivering value through every aspect of construction and maintenance.

Why They Stood Out

Ria has made a tangible impact across multiple disciplines — from contract management and dispute resolution to digital transformation and bid strategy. She played a pivotal role in Fortem’s Totalmobile Connect IT transition, ensuring seamless implementation and enhanced operational efficiency. Her commercial acumen shone through in subcontractor rate reviews and in supporting the Birmingham re-procurement, where she helped optimise pricing and strengthen competitive positioning.

Her leadership style is collaborative and grounded. As a mentor to new trainees, Ria shares her journey openly, helping others navigate their own career paths. Her community work, including volunteering and social value initiatives, reflects her belief that the role of a surveyor extends beyond spreadsheets — it’s about building stronger communities too. Currently in the final year of her BSc in Quantity Surveying at Birmingham City University, Ria is on track for RICS chartership in 2025, combining academic excellence with commercial success.

Highlights

• Promoted from trainee to Quantity Surveyor within four years.
• Led Fortem’s digital transformation through IT and data integration.
• Provided commercial support for Birmingham re-procurement strategy.
• Winner of two Fortem “Above & Beyond” Awards for outstanding performance. •         Active mentor and speaker for Fortem’s trainee intake.
• Balancing full-time work with a BSc (Hons) in Quantity Surveying, graduating 2025.

Sirin Koca – University of London

Overview

Sirin Koca is an emerging leader within the University of London’s property and estates team, where she is completing her Surveying Apprenticeship. Her role spans both commercial and residential property portfolios, supporting surveys, valuations, and the production of technical drawings — all while balancing study and hands-on site experience with professionalism beyond her years.

Why They Stood Out

Sirin’s dedication to precision and continuous learning has made her a valued member of the estates team. She combines academic distinction with practical capability, achieving top marks in every assignment while contributing to critical projects that support the university’s operational excellence.

A natural mentor, Sirin assists peers and supports the completion of complex surveying tasks, often guiding group projects and helping others refine their technical skills. Her leadership extends beyond her team — she actively inspires peers to view construction as a dynamic and inclusive industry, bridging the gap between technical excellence and people-first collaboration.

Highlights

• Supports management of commercial and residential property surveys for the University of London.
• Achieved Distinctions in all coursework and top academic standing.
• Provides peer mentorship and fosters teamwork among fellow apprentices.
• Balances professional work with ongoing qualification studies.
• Recognised as a role model for future surveying professionals.

Harvey Weetch – GeoDefinition Ltd

Overview

At just the start of his career, Harvey Weetch has become an indispensable part of

GeoDefinition Ltd, one of the UK’s most specialised geophysical survey firms. As a Survey Technician Apprentice, Harvey has taken on advanced technical responsibilities, from precision GNSS surveying to data processing, contributing directly to the success of highprofile infrastructure and environmental projects.

Why They Stood Out

When an experienced team member had to step down unexpectedly, Harvey stepped up — taking on front-line surveying duties that would test even seasoned professionals. His mastery of complex fieldwork, including electrical resistivity tomography and electromagnetic surveys, has enabled GeoDefinition to take on larger and more technically demanding contracts.

Harvey’s exceptional attention to safety and equipment care has prevented costly incidents and ensured high data quality standards. His confidence with clients and contribution to university-led research projects, including field demonstrations at the Camborne School of Mines, reflect both professionalism and a passion for sharing knowledge. His commitment to learning — from evening lectures to on-the-job innovation — marks him as a standout future leader in applied surveying.

Highlights

• Key contributor to 44-hectare geophysical mapping for a major UK housing development.
• Supported surveys for Royal Navy and mining remediation projects.
• Prevented costly instrument damage through vigilance and quick action on-site.
• Integral to data processing and geo-referencing improvements.
• Assisted in university fieldwork demonstrations for undergraduate and postgraduate students.
• Exemplary safety awareness and professionalism across all site operations.

Wrap-Up

From managing multi-billion-pound transmission projects to pioneering sustainability-driven surveying methods, this year’s Young Surveyor/Commercial Manager of the Year finalists embody the analytical precision, leadership, and adaptability defining the next era of construction excellence.

Whether it’s Rachel Cunningham’s leadership on global infrastructure projects, Ria Curtis’s balance of commercial acumen and social value, or Harvey Weetch’s technical ingenuity on the ground, these professionals are proof that the industry’s future is not only skilled — it’s visionary.