Meet the Making the Difference Award Winners: Matt Smith

As we reflect on the 2024 Making the Difference Awards, Vertas Group is delighted to highlight the outstanding achievements of last year’s winners.

Before the company honour a new group of exceptional individuals at the next annual Making the Difference Awards, we’re delighted to revisit the incredible talent that took centre stage last year.

We are pleased to recognise the contributions of individuals across the business and celebrate our colleagues’ hard work and dedication. The awards provide an opportunity to spotlight colleagues who reinforce the values central to the company.

We recently caught up with Matt Smith, Associate Building Surveying, Concertus, to find out about his experience receiving the Colleague of the Year Award. Matt inspires those around him and, having been described as “treating everyone with immeasurable amounts of kindness and compassion”, is a credit to the business working with integrity, passion and professionalism.

You received the Colleague of the Year Award – that’s a massive achievement, congratulations! How did it feel to be recognised?

It was a proud moment to have been recognised by my peers and colleagues.

Please tell us briefly about your role. What do you particularly enjoy about working in your specific service area?

I am the Associate Building Surveyor at Concertus. We deliver projects for clients from the inception, such as undertaking surveys, through to delivering and managing projects for our clients up to circa £2 million.

I most enjoy the varied aspect of my job, with every day bringing something different. I also enjoy working as part of a fantastic team that delivers great service to our clients and has a very close team relationship that provides support to each other.

In your role, do you feel the company values (Sustainable, Consistent, Integrity, Partner, Agility) align with your approach to work? How has this influenced your mindset at work?

Yes, we see these key aspects as part of our working roles. As consultancy professionals, we need to be able to holistically consider all of these factors in any project we undertake, with sustainability forming a key part of design considerations.

Vertas Group strive to create a positive and productive work environment. How do the MTD awards contribute to shaping and maintaining a positive company culture?

The awards night was a wonderful celebration and a positive way to recognise colleagues and their combined achievements.

How does Concertus Design and Property Consultants/Vertas Group invest in your learning and development?

As part of my development within Concertus, I have had an opportunity to progress in my career since starting as a CAD technician within the business, with support and professional guidance provided throughout my career. In addition, support has been provided through professional learning and undertaking several training courses. I have also had support my progression to the Chartered Institute of Chartered Architectural Technologists.

My colleagues within my team have undertaken apprenticeship degrees, and several of them have been supported through obtaining professional qualifications as well. The opportunities are there for those who wish to grow and learn.

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