Partner Graham Atkinson Retires
After over 40 years with the business, more than 30 of which he has spent as a Partner, Graham has decided to retire from surveying.
When Graham Atkinson joined Jaggard Baker (now Jaggard Macland) in 1985, the world looked very different. Everyone was talking about Live Aid, Microsoft had just released Windows 1.0, and Cristiano Ronaldo had yet to be born.
Graham had recently completed a BSc in Urban Land Economics at Sheffield City Polytechnic and had been working at W H Read & Co in Ealing before joining the firm and beginning what would become an extraordinary career.
Heading up our Property Management Team
After over 40 years with the business, more than 30 of which he has spent as a Partner, Graham has decided to retire. He has led our Property Management department for many years, building a portfolio of loyal and long-standing clients along the way. Graham's incredible eye for detail has always set him apart, as Simon Harper says, “Graham is part surveyor, part accountant and brings a rare precision to everything he takes on.”
His work has taken him all over the UK and at one point he was managing over 20 industrial properties in Scotland alone.
Developing Chartered Surveyor Talent
He is going to be sorely missed by the entire team. As Abi says: "I will miss Graham's reassuring presence. His knowledge and understanding has been the backbone of Jaggard Macland."
One of Graham's most enduring contributions to the firm has been his role as a mentor. Over the decades, he has guided many young surveyors at the start of their careers and his influence can be seen at the very top of our business. All three of our other Partners, Simon Harper, Steve Macdermott and Greg Rowland, began their careers as graduate surveyors under Graham's guidance.
Steve remembers those early years fondly: "I was Graham's graduate 20 years ago and I very much enjoyed going on site with Graham as I was always guaranteed a lunch at a Little Chef!"
Graham also oversaw Greg's graduation and election to RICS over a decade ago. Greg says: "Having been trained by Graham I will be forever grateful for the support and assistance he provided. His encyclopaedic knowledge on all property matters has been most valuable, however I will now need to start looking things up …"
More Time for Family and Football
In retirement, Graham is looking forward to spending more time with his wife, Clare, his two daughters, and his grandson. He will also, no doubt, be dedicating more weekends to supporting Wycombe Wanderers. Steve jokes: "His vast surveying knowledge will be sorely missed; his love of Wycombe Wanderers will not!"
Beyond his professional expertise, it is Graham's warmth and genuine interest in the people around him that will leave the longest-lasting impression. As Abi puts it: "Graham will always offer a cheery welcome and ask how we are, individually. How's Abi? How's Jack? As he walks through the office, he cares and listens."
Thank You Graham
We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude for Graham's wise counsel over the years, his meticulous professionalism, and his unfailingly kind and gentle manner. It has been a privilege to have him as part of the Jaggard Macland family for so long.
The whole team would like to wish him a very happy and thoroughly well-earned retirement.