A COUNTY Durham farmer’s daughter is on the path to new career success after passing tough exams to become a member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS).

Charlotte Newton (formerly Burnett), 26, who married her husband Andrew Newton recently to mark a double celebration, achieved her Assessment of Professional Competence (APC) to gain RICS membership.

Working for Crook-based land agents and chartered surveyors Vickers & Barrass, Charlotte achieved her success after two years of tough professional study.

Candidates must submit a thesis and are subject to a panel interview for their final APC assessment – Charlotte’s area of interest is valuation and agriculture tenancies, which she covered in her presentation.

She is now looking forward to settling down to married life while developing her career further specialising in valuations, landlord and tenant matters, town and country planning and agricultural subsidies and grants among other matters.

Charlotte, whose parents farm at Greenfields near Bishop Auckland, works alongside Vickers & Barrass’ professional team.

She said: “I’m lucky to have a job I thoroughly enjoy, and I am delighted to have attained professional accreditation so quickly in my career.

“Farmers and landowners across the region face a number of difficult rural and business issues on a daily basis, so I’m looking forward to continuing to provide them with the best possible professional advice and expertise that I can.”

Adam Barrass, rural chartered surveyor and practice manager at Vickers & Barrass, said: “APC, which paves the way to RICS membership, is a demanding programme of on the job training covering all the skills required to be a chartered surveyor.

“So, many congratulations to Charlotte on both her APC success and marriage; we wish her every success and happiness for the future.”

Charlotte attended Teesdale School Sixth Form before gaining a degree in Rural Enterprise and Land Management (REALM) from Harper Adams University in Shropshire.

Vickers & Barrass currently operate from offices at Tow Law and Crook with an office at Darlington Farmers’ Auction Mart on sale days.

The firm will occupy a new office in the Humbleton Park Auction Centre building, which is on track to open in spring 2020 and is seen as an exciting opportunity grow and develop the company’s profile further.