Charlie Saunders
Director, Emerson Bond
Charlie, tell us about your experience, contributions, and reasons for leaving, along with your perspective on the JCT YPG and future goals.
Experience and Contributions:
Question: Can you describe your role and responsibilities during your time as a member?
My responsibilities included identifying trending topics and leveraging industry contacts to arrange relevant CPD and networking events for young professionals. I also contributed to shaping the group’s strategy during monthly meetings with JCT and other group leaders. My involvement extended to stakeholder management and promotional efforts in the lead-up to events, as well as overseeing event logistics and delivering public speaking on the day.
Question: What were some of your biggest accomplishments or projects during your membership?
I was one of the founding leaders of the group, established in early 2020 just before the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the challenges the pandemic posed (particularly to in-person networking), we helped grow the group from its inception into a substantial industry networking platform. Notable highlights include joint events with RICS Matrics and CIOB Tomorrow’s Leaders, the most recent of which sold around 200 tickets.
Question: How did you contribute to the leader team/groups’ success?
A key part of my contribution was fostering cross-disciplinary collaboration by establishing relationships with other industry bodies. I also co-hosted technical roundtable discussions with solicitors, allowing our members to explore key industry topics from both a surveyor and solicitor’s perspectives.
On top of this, I provided feedback on the group’s website and ticketing platform to ensure a more seamless experience for our members.
Reasons for Leaving and Perspective:
Question: Why did you choose to leave the YPG?
As much as I enjoyed being part of the group, balancing my growing professional responsibilities and industry involvement with personal commitments became increasingly challenging. In addition to my leadership role at the YPG, I regularly visited schools as an industry ambassador for both RICS and STEM Learning, actively contributed to the RICS Matrics London committee, as well as my daily duties as a director at a growing development monitoring consultancy. To maintain a healthy balance, I had to make the decision to consolidate my industry involvement.
Question: What advice would you give to current YPG members?
Wherever possible, take the opportunity to get involved – whether as a leader or an active member of the group. It’s a fantastic way to expand your network, develop soft skills, and accelerate your career. In the construction and property industries, teamwork is essential, and there’s no better way to gain an appreciation of other stakeholders’ roles than by engaging with them and offering your own insights. Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there and share your experiences.
Question: What did you learn or gain from your experience as a YPG founder member leader?
The key benefits of being part of the group include a larger and more diverse professional network, a better appreciation for the interface between different disciplines within the property industry, and improved soft skills gained through arranging, hosting, and managing events.
Future Goals and Aspirations:
Question: What are your current career goals or aspirations?
Over the past six years, I have transitioned from traditional quantity surveying to focus on development monitoring and due diligence. Looking ahead, my goal is to establish myself as a leader in the development monitoring field and to broaden my service offering beyond funders to include developers and contractors. I aim to leverage my expertise to bridge the gap between finance, construction and development, supporting businesses in managing risk, securing finance and achieving sustainable growth.