Christopher Scott, 44 years working as a chartered surveyor, valuer, estate agent and development consultant
This journey has proved to be valuable and successful and the company now operates in a different format that works behind the vision that one has to give a client good, straightforward, independent advice to maximise values and returns, whilst encompassing the wider spectrum and, at the same time, being able to think differently to others and outside the box.
Christopher Scott commenced his professional career in the North East of England, based in the Tyne Valley working for Thomas Pattinson & Sons and Addison Hudson as an Associate Director, before setting up his own practice in 1979, age 26.
Having qualified as a Chartered Surveyor, his early years were involved in a variety of professional property tasks, including compulsory purchase, residential estate agency, conducting auctions three times a week from antique furniture, fine art, outside effects and dressed poultry.
In 1979 Christopher Scott set up a company with Peter Muirhead called Scott Muirhead, which took over a Newcastle based company called David Larmour which was established in 1905. There were 4 offices across the North East. Chris worked from the County Town of Alnwick, covering the areas from the Borders to Geordie Land. The business expanded to include developments, fine art auctions, commercial and residential agency, working with clients such as the Duke of Northumberland Estates, Barrett Developments and Bellway, to name a few.
In 1984 Chris decided to move South to the Isle of Wight with his family and then set up an independent chartered surveyors business, initially carrying out structural surveys, bank valuations and other professional property work. Based at Gatcombe Park his work extended across the South of England and into London. The business then expanded into a niche, up-market estate agency acting as local agents for national, prestigious companies such as Humberts and Knight Frank.
The business also opened an office in Yarmouth and expanded into development consultancy, town planning and quantity surveying services across the Island.
In the early part of the century, the office relocated from its Georgian setting to its current site at East Quay, Wootton. During the first 15 years of the century, the company expanded and acquired Kingston & Grist, surveyors and estate agents in West Wight and later Rainey Petrie Architects and Quantity Surveyors based in Newport. At one point, the company Christopher Scott employed over 60 people with offices in Cowes, Yarmouth, Freshwater and Wootton, offering a variety of property services i.e. a one stop shop.
From these businesses, have been spawned other successful businesses now operating in the property world on the Isle of Wight. These include HMS Architects, MODH Design, BCM IOW and Spence Willard. We are very proud to be associated with these companies as we believe that they are part of our DNA and philosophy.
Forty years on, we are now a highly focused planning and development practice, specialising in the delivery of development and investment across the Isle of Wight and beyond.