We are delighted that Helena Gleeson, BSc (Hons) MSc MRICS has joined our incredible Valuations team recently. Helena is an experienced Chartered Surveyor and RICS Registered Valuer who works on valuations across a wide range of asset classes.
Her interest in property began during the summer break whilst she was at university. She spent the holidays on an internship programme at a global Commercial Real Estate firm.
The team I was part of handled lettings of large office blocks. It gave me an excellent insight into what being a Chartered Surveyor could potentially involve.
The variety the role offered and the mix of being both in the office as well as out inspecting various types of properties appealed to Helena. Following her internship, Helena completed a master’s degree in Real Estate at Nottingham Trent University.
Her first role on leaving University was in Hotel Valuations. Combining her undergraduate degree in Business Management together with her master’s, she quickly found herself drawn to understanding what makes a business grow and succeed, and how this compares with other businesses in the same sector, which is an integral part of carrying out a Valuation.
Helena has a keen interest in the specialist trade related sectors, and has developed considerable experience in valuing pubs, restaurants, and hotels.
Working in the leisure sector allows you to meet some passionate business owners from all walks of life. In valuing trade related properties as fully equipped operational entities, you get a deep understanding of all elements of the business from plans for the future to how both historic and future trade play into the value of an asset.
Helena’s extensive experience includes valuations of major portfolios and individual assets for acquisitions, debt financing, re-structuring, strategic reviews, investment and development appraisals and viability studies.
The good thing about being part of the team at AWH is that, as a company, we can value the entire market, from residential properties, guest houses, all the way through to large hotels and shopping centres. It is a great opportunity to experience the whole market, rather than just a niche part of it, which helps us widen our skillsets.
Helena is looking forward to valuing other sectors she has not had the opportunity to gain as much experience in. To date she has covered some unusual businesses in her career so far, one of the most memorable being the valuation of a portfolio of trampoline parks.
It is a growing sector that presented some unique challenges. Those that own them typically have multiple sites across the country. That made finding comparables more difficult.
Being a very active person, as evidenced by her recent completion of the Tough Mudder Challenge, Helena’s only regret is that she was not required to test the trampolines on the day.
Our highly experienced team of Registered Valuers has experience in all asset types, and works across central and greater London, as well as the midlands and south of England. Call us today on 0800 071 5517 or email admin@awh.co.uk to speak to Helena or another member of the team.