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From London to the East Midlands: why I chose NG Chartered Surveyors and what surprised me most

Our new Associate Director, Rosie Goode reveals why she left the capital and joined NG – and her plans for the future

Joining NG Chartered Surveyors has been an exciting and very natural next step for me, both professionally and personally.

After six years in London, I was ready for a new challenge. I wanted a role where I could broaden my experience, have a more direct impact on the business, and reconnect with the East Midlands market. NG stood out because of its strong reputation, its ambitious growth plans, and the opportunity to be part of a close-knit, collaborative team.

The contrast between London and the regional market has been really interesting. London operates at an incredible scale and pace, and I gained valuable experience there. However, what I have already come to appreciate in the East Midlands is the diversity of work and the strength of relationships. There is a real sense of accessibility here. You can build meaningful, long-term connections with clients and genuinely see the impact of your work on the local built environment.

A key part of my experience to date has been in cladding and fire safety remediation, and this continues to be a major area of focus across the industry. What I am seeing is that clients are not only concerned with compliance, cost certainty, and programme delivery, but also with navigating an increasingly complex landscape of funding and regulation. It can be a challenging space, and what clients value most is clear, pragmatic advice. It is about helping them cut through that complexity and move projects forward with confidence.

My first few weeks at NG have been focused on getting to know the team, understanding our existing projects and clients, and identifying where I can add value straight away. Everyone has been incredibly welcoming, which has made the transition seamless. One of the things that has stood out immediately is the culture. There is a real sense of collaboration and openness, with people willing to share knowledge and support each other. That, combined with a clear ambition to grow, makes it a very exciting place to be.

Looking ahead, I see strong opportunities for the building surveying team to continue evolving. Investing in graduates will be important to build long-term capacity, while also bringing in experienced hires and specialists to strengthen our expertise in key areas. There is also a real opportunity to expand through closer collaboration with other teams within the business, particularly block management, and by building on the trusted relationships we already have with clients.

Having worked across both commercial and residential projects, I have seen how different each can be. Residential work often involves more complex stakeholder management, particularly when working with leaseholders and residents, where communication and empathy are essential. Commercial projects, on the other hand, tend to be more programme-driven, with a sharper focus on timelines and delivery. Both bring their own challenges, which is part of what makes the role so varied and rewarding.

On a more personal note, being back in the East Midlands has been a refreshing change. The pace of life is different, and it is remarkable how quickly you can get from place to place. After the intensity of London, it has been a welcome shift, and it has given me the space to really focus on this next chapter.

Overall, my first impressions of NG have been extremely positive. It is a business with a strong foundation, a clear direction and a great team of people. I am really looking forward to playing a part in its continued growth and to what the future holds here.