Meet Sam Rickard, S2e Senior Building Surveyor

Sam has long nurtured a passionate interest in the built environment, undertaking a geography and planning degree at Coventry and being awarded a distinguished prize for his sustainable drainage dissertation. “Sustainable environment and planning have always been close to my heart” he says. This led him into the urban environment, spending time with a local authority and an architectural practice.

After recognising both an aptitude and a keen interest in building and land infrastructure, after an initial two years in environmental and waste land management, he then commenced his surveying career at a boutique local consultancy, completing a distance-learning degree in surveying, gaining experience in residential and education property surveying and commercial practice. Sam was able to experience a broad portfolio of clients and buildings – from new to refurbishment and refit, from initial ideation and design to full completion of works and client gaining benefit from the change in the buildings. He particularly enjoyed projects with several London and East Anglian schools. Joining the estates team of a prestigious school in Cambridge gave him real insight into working behind the scenes in education. “Having experienced both sides of the build and client/surveyor/contractor relationship, it has been incredibly helpful to my work with S2e,” he says.

Sam returned to education focused surveying and projects consultancy in 2020 and hasn’t looked back. Sam joined S2e in April 2024. “I was impressed by the friendly, approachable nature of the business, coupled with the element of ‘doing the right thing’ in helping schools achieve what they need to to secure the projects and the funding that can sustain learning environments and transform their pupils’ learning experience,” he explains.

Role at S2e

As a Senior Building Surveyor, Sam spends most of his time running projects for schools, managing important client relationships and administering building contracts. “Schools may come to us with a specific problem, or we identify an issue as part of a condition survey. I’m tasked with helping to solve their problems so that the building(s) can continue to provide a safe and appropriate environment for children. I feel like I'm making a difference,” he says.

He is currently working on what was intended to be a straightforward refurbishment of a toilet block, which turned into a bigger challenge with the discovery of a long-forgotten basement full of water. Sam says: “It's a brilliant feeling when you get to the end point of an issue such as this and have resolved it. Working with the school to advise and devise a solution, agreeing with regulators what can be done, negotiating well with contractors, and trying to manage within budget and time constraints… it can sometimes be challenging but equally rewarding.”

Creating better schools

Ask Sam what he enjoys most about his job at S2e, and he does not hesitate. “First, I'm definitely a people person so working with our great clients and contractors is what keeps the smile on my face —they’re really good people. Second, it’s so important to me to be contributing to making a difference. It’s been the case right from the start of my career, and I love driving past a building that I’ve helped shape—not just the structure itself, but the experience for those within that building. Some schools struggle for resources, and it is so good that we can step in and help them, find the funding or identify innovative ways to address their building need, then complete a fantastic project that creates a much better place for staff and pupils to work and learn.”

Looking ahead

Sam is excited by the idea of fusing architecture with the landscape and physical environment in a sustainable way. “I’d like to think it’s something I could continue to develop professionally in the future,” he says.

About Surveyors to Education

Surveyors to Education (S2e) work solely in the education sector to provide estate strategy, funding, and surveying expertise to MATs and academies, giving trustees the information they need to make effective decisions. For more information on sustainability and how we can help you develop the optimum learning environment for your pupils, contact us today to find out more at  0116 5070130 or email enquire@s2e.org.uk.