Two surveying graduates from Glasgow Caledonian University have scooped awards from the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors in Scotland (RICS Scotland) for their outstanding university dissertations.

The award-winning dissertations provide valuable research into the affects of climate change on the city of Glasgow and the topical issue of service charges for businesses.

Trainee-chartered surveyor David McKay, 23, who works for Workman LLP received the commercial property award for his dissertation about service charges in commercial property and how sustainable management plays a role in service charge budgets.

Paul McGhee, 29, a trainee-chartered surveyor at Brown & Wallace, achieved the building surveying award for his dissertation about the affect of climate change on Glasgow’s historic buildings.

John Duff, chairman of RICS Scotland said "To receive an RICS award so early in your career is a real achievement. These dissertations really stood out from the crowd and showed that both Paul and David have a real insight into their areas of work. Chartered surveyors are some of the most rigorously trained and knowledgeable property professionals in the world and David and Paul are definitely up to the challenge."

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Commenting on his award David McKay from Bishopbriggs, Glasgow said "'It was a great surprise to win this award and hope that the experience I gained at university and writing my dissertation will help me achieve my goal of becoming a chartered surveyor".

Paul McGhee from the Croftfoot area of Glasgow said "I'm really pleased to win this award. I worked hard at university and spent a long time researching the topic. My degree will really help me in my career as a chartered surveyor."

Chartered surveyors have varied roles depending on their specialism. Some maintain historic castles, oversee the construction of sport stadiums or manage large rural estates. Others carry out the survey and valuation in a Home Report while others resolve disputes between landlords and tenants.

The awards judges included senior chartered surveyors, university academics and other property professionals.

The judges for the RICS Scotland commercial property award were Brian Hardie (Edinburgh City Council), Ailsa McGregor, Colin Finlayson (Jones Lang LaSalle) and Nicola Cameron (Elphinstone Holdings Ltd).

The judges for the RICS Scotland building conservation award were Allan Robertson (Watts Group Plc), Colin Bruce (Bruce Shaw Property Consultants), Jan Lewkowicz (Jan Lewkowicz Associates) and Professor Mike Hoxley (Nottingham Trent University).

(GK/JM)