Alumus Suart Johnson funds a scholarship to provide opportunity to students
From a young age Stuart had a keen interest in buildings and construction, so when it came to deciding on a career path he began researching courses, stumbling across Building Surveying as a discipline. A friends' sister, who was a Quantity Surveyor, highly recommended LSBU for its course reputation. Stuart visited it and four other then-polytechnics that offered his course before selecting LSBU. "I preferred LSBU; it just felt the right fit. I never regretted picking it as I really enjoyed my time there".
Whilst on his four-year course, Stuart was required to complete a one-year placement which the university organised for him at Jones Lang LaSalle. After completing his degree, he was offered a full-time position as a Surveyor with the firm.
Career progression
Stuart went on to work at Savills, then Watts Group plc. where he became Equity Partner and a member of the Management Board, as well as running a team of 60 people before returning to Savills as Director of Professional Services.
In the late 1980s, still only a few years into his professional career, Stuart was approached by Macmillan and asked if he would be willing to write a book on sustainable buildings. The book, Greener Buildings, was published and featured contributions from a variety of professionals in the industry. It was amongst the first books to provide a guide for Surveyors and Architects on how to make buildings more sustainable.
Own boss
After completing some very successful projects at Savills, Stuart started thinking of setting up his own practice. "Even though I really enjoyed what I did, I wanted to take on projects where I could get fully involved. By setting up my own practice, clients are effectively buying a senior level personal service".
Since opening his practice in 2006, Stuart has completed several high profile projects. He has delivered several projects for The Gatsby Charitable Foundation, including the Sainsbury Laboratory and offices for The Institute for Government.
He has just completed the headquarters for The Academy of Medical Sciences and a Forum for The Royal Academy of Engineering amongst many other projects. Stuart has built up a strong reputation of completing projects on time, on budget and to a great standard. He takes pride in establishing project teams based on merit and reflecting diversity, and believes that this underpins his success.
Giving back
Stuart is now a fellow of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, fellow of the Association of Building Engineers and member of the Association for Project Management. Throughout his career he has had an incredible drive and passion for new challenges and developing himself.
Being the first member of his family to go on to higher education, Stuart funds a scholarship at LSBU to provide MSc Building Surveying, MSc Construction Project Management and MSc Quantity Surveying students with the same opportunity. "I wanted to help others that didn't have this opportunity and to show my gratitude to LSBU for the support I was given".
Having been mentored whilst at Watts Group plc., Stuart knows the benefits this can have and is keen to offer that same support to others. He does this by making time to act as a member of the Continuing Professional Development Foundation's advisory panel, lecturing at events throughout the year and has sat as an external examiner for two degree courses at the University of Plymouth.