Aidan McCaffery Director at AMC Surveyors
What were your career ambitions growing up?
Like most young lads I was going to be a Footballer or a Firefighter. They never happened, but I enjoyed playing football at a good local level playing for Hebburn Town FC, Cleadon FC, and Boldon FC as a centre midfielder – clearly never going to be Bruno – so university and AMC Surveyors was born.
Tell us about your current role and what do you most enjoy?
As owner of AMC Surveyors I enjoy the variety of work. I can be surveying a £20k flat one day and then on to a £5M mansion, followed by project managing new build schools, which all offer interesting highlights and challenges.
What is your proudest business achievement?
It was a huge pleasure to support the contract for the provisional of a brand new school at Wynyard Primary School in Cleveland, and getting the children into their new class rooms in time for the academic year. It was an incredibly stressful time knowing the teachers and children were excited about their new classrooms and the build programme was struggling to keep momentum, however knowing the kids (and their parents) were excited to be at a brand new school gave me the support and tenacity to drive the project to success. I am also very proud to be working on an extension at the wonderful Middlesbrough Green Lane Primary Academy – described as a Big School with a Big Heart – and we are sharing their journey in helping them with their building needs. I am also proud for the opportunity to be able to help charities such as Fighting All Cancers Together (FACT) and Newcastle Dog and Cat Shelter with their property needs, as they are both fantastic charities.
How has your industry evolved in the last decade and what changes do you see in the next decade?
There has been a massive adoption of new innovation such as software and use of drones in the industry. More technology is to follow… watch this space.
What are you currently working on?
Supporting new standards in the new homes industry with the NHQB requirements offering buyers the chance to have an independent ‘snagging’ survey completed days prior to completion. This is a very reassuring action from the government in recognising new home standards are met across the industry.
I am also very excited to soon be opening our new Manchester (North-West) office as well as further growing the current Harrogate (Yorkshire) office.
Tell us about the team you work with?
We are a small friendly team of surveyors and admin support. We cover a large area of the north of the England and together we work to meet timelines for our clients across the region on their projects and survey needs.
What is the best piece of business advice you have been given?
Know your worth and how to value your team and services to enable us to work with the right like-minded professional people. I also strongly believe in that you not only have to work hard, but you also have to work smart, which includes for the adoption of innovative products and ideas.
Where do you see yourself in 10 years time?
Leading a team throughout the north of England with potential to organically grow to be national across the whole of the UK.
Who would be your four ideal dinner guests, alive or dead?
Noel Fitzpatrick (Supervet), David Goggins (Navy Seal), Bobby Robson – nothing else to say, other than my hero, and for a jovial dessert Ricky Gervais (the Office dance can follow many beers!)
And the food would be steak medium rare, homemade chips, peppercorn sauce, and of course a Guinness! Have you booked the table Mike?
How do you unwind outside of work?
I am a frustrated golfer so many hours are spent at my local Heworth Golf Course and any other course I can take the challenge to beat the handicap. I am also an avid English Heritage and National Trust follower and spend weekends with the family enjoying the local attractions we are so very lucky to have in our region.
Favourite book?
Best books – Living with a Seal by Jesse Itzler and A Life worth Breathing by Max Strom; I think many hours on the golf course led me to the latter book…will lead you to the loving and peaceful power of the universe and allow you to fully awaken to your highest human consciousness. A hole in one is on the horizon!
