RICS Chartership is a top career target for our high performing team members.

Our in-house Assessment of Professional Competence (APC) Accountability Club is a self-governing, fast track professional development group, designed to get them ready for their assessment and achieve this highly prized status.

Focused on sharing knowledge and practical experience to build their personal skills and competence, Club members take collective responsibility to keep each other on track as they drive towards their RICS Final Assessment. Launched as a pilot in 2020, we have secured a number of successes and, now firmly part of our Future Skills Academy, it is helping others to follow suit.

We give the perspectives from Craig Smallman, who has achieved Chartership, along with insights from current Club members Matthew Williamson and James Peacock, on the value of this specially developed programme.

Craig Smallman MRICS, Senior Quantity Surveyor & Key Account Manager

"Attaining Chartership status had been long been a significant career aspiration for me. However, as is the case with many surveyors, time and work would often get in the way. So, I jumped at the opportunity to join the Club so I could finally nail this long-term goal!

"For me, the difference was the structured and guided approach where the fast-track programme was planned and laid out for me with clear expectations and deadlines for hitting required milestones, helping me to manage my approach and giving me confidence to push myself forward. I was mentored by a team of in-house APC experts and trained assessors whose advice and guidance demystified the process, while mock interviews and competency-based Q&A sessions were invaluable in preparing me for the real thing.

"Having achieved MRICS status I’m now paying it forward as part of the ACC leadership team, supporting others through the programme as an APC councillor and mentor."

Matthew Williamson, Senior Quantity Surveyor

"The Club provides me with great support. The journey to Chartership is a challenge but being able to navigate it as part of a like-minded team, all heading in the same direction and all offering support to one another along the way is a massive benefit.

Being part of the Club has helped keep me on the right track and to schedule, and has provided a great opportunity for sharing knowledge, raising questions, and gaining advantage from the know-how and experiences of the other club members – all of which will hopefully help push me over the Chartership finish line!"

James Peacock, Senior Quantity Surveyor

"The Club has provided an invaluable network that allows me, and other members, to discuss key areas of learning while drawing on the experience of other members. It has also provided a support system during periods where we’ve had doubts or concerns. Everyone rallies together to help each other to stay on track – there’s a fantastic team spirit. I’ve also gained a huge amount of confidence after getting several competencies signed off.

"It’s given me real and tangible belief in my ability to be a brand advocate for Solomons within my client organisations. When I achieve Chartership status, I hope to use my experiences to advice and support others considering the APC route – adopting the Solomons philosophy of paying it forward."