Meet Katie.. the Director edit!

Katie is the Director of our Cotswolds Office

She loves the outdoors and has a passion for old buildings, but not the superstitions so much, as we found out during the interview…

Q Katie, what made you decide to become a Building Surveyor?

I was really keen not to have a 9-5 desk job and being quite an active, outdoor type of person I wanted a career that would enable me to be out and about with my job on a day to day basis. Having loved old buildings from a young age and with an interest in architecture too, it seemed to tick all the boxes. After completing my degree at Napier University in Edinburgh and then working in London for a few years, I attended the Conservation Summer School at the Royal Agricultural College in Cirencester, which further increased my passion for old buildings. I am now lucky enough to live and work in the Cotswolds and be surrounded by and work on historic buildings as part of my everyday job.

Q. What is the most unexpected discovery you’ve made on a site visit?

A mummified cat up a chimney! Apparently there was a superstition that lead to a dead cat being placed up a chimney to ward off evil spirits and use their sixth sense to provide good luck! Didn’t seem like good luck for the cat..

Q. What has been your proudest surveying job or project to date?

Completing the renovation and extension of my own house and being able to reap the reward of living in the property and benefitting from all the hard work and effort that went into the project. It felt like a culmination of everything I had learnt and I feel like I am now in a position to be able to better advise and help others undertaking similar projects.

Q. What is your favourite building in the world?

The Taj Mahal. In order to add a holy aura to the place, the walls of the monument are covered with beautiful ‘pietra dura’ which is a method of inlaying marble with precious stones like amber, coral, jade, and lapis lazuli. It is truly beautiful!

Q. Describe EK in 5 words!

Young, enterprising, ambitious, dynamic and fun!

To get in touch with Katie, send her an email or call the Cotswolds office on 01666 331614.