Countrywide Surveying Services reports strong start to 2026 for training academy

13 March 2026

Countrywide Surveying Services (CSS), one of the UK’s leading providers of valuation panel management and property risk services, has reported a strong start to 2026 for its training academy, with new qualifications and further trainee recruitment strengthening the future pipeline of residential surveyors.

Seven trainee surveyors successfully achieved their AssocRICS qualification on Friday 27 February along with four trainees from Harvey, Donaldson & Gibson. The newly qualified surveyors joined the programme from a range of property related roles, including estate agency and surveying audit positions, bringing existing housing market experience into their training.

The AssocRICS pathway combines classroom learning with practical field experience, allowing trainees to build technical knowledge across valuation, building pathology and property risk assessment while gaining hands-on inspection experience.

CSS has also continued to expand the programme in 2026. Fourteen trainees who joined the academy in November 2025 are progressing through the scheme and are expected to qualify at the end of May 2026. A further eight trainee surveyors joined the business in February and have begun their training, with a planned qualification date at the end of June. Recruitment for the next planned trainee intake in May has already commenced.

The programme forms part of CSS’s long-term commitment to developing new talent within residential surveying and supporting consistent professional standards across the sector.

Sarah Chalmers-Stevens, Associate Director of Learning and Development at Countrywide Surveying Services, commented:

“It has been a very positive start to the year for our training academy. Seeing eleven trainees achieve their AssocRICS qualification is a great result and reflects the effort they have put into the programme.

“We are also pleased to see the next cohorts progressing well and new trainees joining the business. Many individuals entering the academy already have valuable property sector experience, which we build on through structured training, mentoring and practical exposure to the role.”

Matthew Cumber, Managing Director at Countrywide Surveying Services, added:

“Developing new surveyors is essential for the long-term health of the profession. As the market becomes more complex, it is increasingly important that lenders and buyers can rely on well trained professionals providing accurate and consistent property assessments.

“Our training academy plays an important role in strengthening that pipeline of talent and ensuring the industry continues to benefit from skilled and confident surveyors.”