Nicola Allon

"I think that the results of the personality quiz are quite accurate and fairly reflect me and the job that I undertake. As a Partner in the Valuation and Advisory business I manage a team of surveyors of different age, levels etc. I am required to train graduates entering the market. (Coach) I maintain very high quality standards in terms of accuracy and quality of product which is effectively our marketing material. I am very detailed with number as a valuer and ensure there is enough supporting evidence. Valuation can be litigious and as such we need to maintain records of everything we do. (Quality Control) I also work as part of a wider multi disciplinary team on large projects and need good communication skills. I am involved with the management of the Newcastle office alongside the other Partners. (Influencer)"

"I love the variety of the job. Inspecting different properties and meeting new people. I enjoy number crunching and researching the market. Having been in the industry for over 20 years, I feel things are a little less social than it used to be due to the availability of information on the internet, albeit this does provide efficiencies. I enjoy mentoring new graduates and supporting chartered surveyors through their careers. "

"I undertook a vocational degree at University with the sole aim of becoming a chartered surveyor. I suppose that I was lucky as I knew what I wanted to do. I did a placement year at a local authority. I applied to the large UK surveying practices for a graduate position and was very fortunate that I was successful with my first application. I joined DTZ as a graduate in the Leeds office in 1998. I became a chartered surveyor in 1999 and subsequently moved to the valuation team in Newcastle. I have been here ever since and have climbed the latter, being made an Associate in 2003 and Partner in 2007. My biggest influence was my dad. I always had an interest in property having built our own home when I was 8. I grew up on a building site. Dad was a roofing contractor and I worked in the family business. He always encouraged me to do what ever I wanted. I have always challenge glass ceilings. "

"I am a busy working mum with 2 small children having had them in my 40s. I appreciate and am thankful for every single day with them. In my early 30s I threw myself in to my careers and perhaps peaked a bit too soon, being the first female Partner and youngest Partner (31) in the Newcastle office. Now life is somewhat different. I am very fortunate that I work for a forward-thinking flexible and agile employer which enables a work life balance. "

"As a Valuer, each day is different. You never know what type of property you will be valuing and where it will be located. From the Newcastle office we cover the North East and Cumbria. A typical day means coming in to the office, checking emails, reviewing my to do list and checking deadline dates. Each week we have a team meeting to allocate jobs. Most of the jobs that we undertake are for lending and account purposes. Turnaround times are tight and therefore you require good time management skills and delegation skills. Recently we have valued a large industrial portfolio which has included inspection and measurements of assets, calculation of floor areas, undertaking due diligence enquiries online, review legal documentation, research in to recent property transactions, valuation and report writing. I read and check every valuation and report that is issued, as I am the signatory for all valuations. I am also involved with business generation, marketing, presentation to clients, manage debtors, submit fee forecasts and targets. "

"3 A levels (German, Geography and Business Studies)BSc (Hons) Urban Property Surveying 2:1"