Since 2000, Fisher German has welcomed hundreds of graduates and placements through our early careers programme. Regardless of the office or scheme they join, each participant who joins our Early Careers programme has the opportunity of support available from a dedicated Early Careers team as well as other support mechanisms from across the business. The Early Careers programme includes a variety of offerings to participants including structured internal training days, APC support and mock examinations and a dedicated Doctor to provide an additional mentor support mechanism throughout the process. In addition, Fisher German runs a formal structured rotation programme across its commercial graduate roles offering exposure to experience in various industry sectors during their time prior to qualification.
The Early Careers team has seen a number of new additions to the team over the last 12 months. Individuals across the business have been welcomed who contribute time and expertise in developing the Early Careers programme to be the best it can be.
Olivia Duncan, Head of the Early Careers Team and Senior Associate in the compulsory purchase and compensation team, graduated from the Royal Agricultural University in 2016 following a summer placement with Fisher German in 2015 and has developed her career within the business in this time. As team leader, Olivia’s role involves continuously developing the programme and collaborating with other team members to support our graduates and ensure that what Fisher German offers is one of the best graduate programmes in a competitive market.
Olivia shared: “Graduates have been integral to Fisher German for many years, and our dedication to inspiring and supporting young professionals is unwavering. We value enthusiasm and a desire to learn and grow, regardless of background, education, or training qualifications. Our award-winning graduate development programme offers comprehensive training and support, providing every individual the opportunity to excel. I am honoured to be joined on the team by some of the most talented and hard-working individuals in the business who have chosen to give up their time and energy in contributing to ensure we offer graduates the best opportunities and support at the beginning of their career.
“I experienced the programme as a summer placement student, returned as a graduate, and completed the two-year training period. The support and guidance I received during that time were instrumental in shaping my professional journey. The skills I developed will stay with me forever. It is a true honour to now contribute to offering that same support to others and to train upcoming professionals within Fisher German.”
Our Early Careers Talent Advisor, Mo Cox focuses on graduate recruitment and support. She joined us in June 2024, bringing experience from HR and talent acquisition roles in the Banking and Higher Education sectors. Mo said: “I am passionate about being innovative and delivering a first-class candidate experience. I have always been interested in early careers and ‘future talent’. From recruitment to coordinating training events and programmes, I am the go-to person for anything early career-related. I enjoy working for a company that invests so much time and effort into early careers, and the success of the programme speaks for itself.”
Senior Surveyor Flo Gilman works in our minerals team and oversees the RICS Doctors within the firm. This mentoring scheme provides APC and AssocRICS support to graduates outside their immediate teams. The RICS Doctors, located in different offices, offer a fresh perspective, listen to candidates’ concerns, guide them through the process, and share their extensive knowledge.
Flo said: “After completing my APC with the support and dedicated time of the graduate team, I wanted the opportunity to join the team to continue the hard work and use my experience of completing the APC to assist with reducing the pressure of starting a new job whilst getting qualified, for both new and existing graduates.”
She added: “I am also actively involved in the recruitment process for graduates and placement students. I enjoy seeing new talent coming through the business and being part of their journey is important to me.”
Will Davies and Kate Manners, both based at our Banbury office, will help run our training events to ensure they meet the needs of our diverse and talented group of graduates. Will, recently promoted to Associate in our infrastructure team, shared, “From joining Fisher German as a Graduate Surveyor, the support of the Early Careers Team was central throughout the APC process to RICS qualification.
“After having the opportunity to help other graduates progress through the APC with Fisher German, I am excited to be involved with the early careers team, focusing on graduate training, to maximise the opportunities and support available for graduates to develop at an early stage.”
Kate, a surveyor also in our infrastructure team, added, “I was thrilled when I was asked to join the early careers team as I want to ensure the next generation of Fisher German grads have a great experience here. The first two years are crucial and supporting grads through this time is incredibly important.”
Charlotte Watson, recently promoted to Associate in our infrastructure team, is based in our Worcester office. Her role includes coordinating and arranging the FG APC mock interviews, which occur in the summer and early spring before the final RICS interviews. She will also maintain direct contact with the RICS to ensure the wider firm can raise concerns and provide feedback on the process.
Charlotte said: “I decided to join the graduate team to give something back to the process of preparing FG candidates for their final interview. I received fantastic support throughout my APC journey. There is so much work that goes on behind the scenes to assist candidates in successfully gaining their RICS qualifications.”
Associate Ollie Deme recently joined the graduate team to oversee commercial graduate rotations and recruitment. Through our merger with Matthews & Goodman in 2022, Ollie is a part of our London office within the investment team. Having progressed through the commercial grad scheme, Ollie originally gained experience in valuation and office leasing, before specialising in investment in summer 2021.
Ollie shared, “The exposure and training I received from each team enabled me to do the job I do today. I am passionate about ensuring each graduate in the commercial side of the business receives the same time, attention, and variety. I am excited to implement positive changes in the current commercial graduate journey. I look forward to being involved in the recruitment of new graduates and seeing our growing commercial grad scheme go from strength to strength.”
Click here to find out more about our graduate scheme. Our current graduate scheme is currently open and will close on 13 November.
