Created: 24th June, 2026
Based in our Braintree Head Office, Charlie delivers building surveying, design, specification, contract administration and project management services to commercial clients and the public sector including schools, constabulary and fire services. More recently, he has been involved with workplace planning to reduce congestion as part of post-Covid requirements.
Charlie’s skills also include Condition Improvement Funding (CIF) bids and strategic School Condition Allocation (SCA) expenditure for education clients.
Email: cholmes@barker-associates.co.uk
Tel: 01279 648085
At Barker, supporting colleagues through the Assessment of Professional Competence (APC) process is far more than a training exercise – it’s a carefully planned and fully collaborative pathway designed to help building surveyors and quantity surveyors achieve Chartered Surveyor status with confidence.
Led by Associate Partner Charlie Holmes, Barker has developed a comprehensive internal support programme that guides candidates from their first days in the business right through to their final RICS interview.
When Charlie first became involved in overseeing the APC programme, support sessions were informal and usually took place every couple of months. Since then, the process has evolved into a much more structured monthly programme that encourages ongoing discussions and continuous learning.
Each month, APC candidates from across the business are invited to join a dedicated session on Microsoft Teams. During these meetings, one candidate presents on a topic relevant to both the building surveying and quantity surveying pathways, before the group takes part in guided discussion and Q&A sessions.
Charlie also organises breakout activities, where smaller groups work through scenario-based questions before feeding their responses back to the wider group.
“The aim is to make the process interactive and supportive,” Charlie explains. “The APC can feel daunting, so creating an environment where people can openly discuss challenges and learn from each other is hugely important.”
A significant proportion of Barker’s APC candidates join through degree apprenticeship routes, often straight from sixth form or college.
These apprentices complete a four-year university programme alongside their role at Barker, combining academic learning with day-to-day industry experience. Importantly, the apprenticeship competencies align closely with the APC competencies outlined by RICS and occupational standards set by Skills England, creating a joined-up pathway towards chartership.
One university that Barker actively works with in shaping future learning is Anglia Ruskin University (ARU). The business attends Employee Advisory Groups, helping to inform the development of apprenticeship programmes and ensure they remain closely aligned with industry requirements. Barker also works with Coventry University which assists our apprentices within our Birmingham office.
Internally, apprentices are supported by both their team leader and APC mentors, who assist with university assignments, workplace development and professional progression.
Candidates are also introduced to Barker’s APC support group immediately, helping them build knowledge and confidence from the very beginning of their careers.
As Barker Building Surveyor Stanley Harmer says:
“Barker has been incredibly supportive throughout the process, providing structured training, access to senior mentors, and opportunities to gain the experience I need for my submission. Over the next 18 months, I’m aiming to complete my APC, continue developing my expertise, and step into a more senior role within the team.”
For candidates joining Barker through more traditional university routes or from previous employers, the support structure begins as soon as they complete probation.
Each candidate is assigned a counsellor – an experienced Chartered Surveyor within the business – who helps guide them through the APC process and the wider Barker environment.
Charlie oversees the full APC programme and works alongside senior colleagues across the business to prepare candidates for success. This includes detailed support with the two major APC submissions:
Barker’s team provides practical guidance on structuring submissions, refining content and preparing candidates for likely interview questions.
“We’ve built up a strong bank of knowledge,” says Charlie. “That experience helps candidates understand how to present their work clearly and confidently.”
Scott Crozier, a Chartered Building Surveyor who has first-hand experience of Barker’s APC support pathway, says:
“My experience of the APC process has been greatly supported by Barker’s structured and proactive approach, allowing me to develop at my own pace with clear guidance to promote learning.
“They have been particularly strong at adapting learning styles and tailoring support to suit individual needs, which has really helped me build my confidence and achieve Chartered status.”
Getting ready for the final APC interview is another major area of focus.
Barker regularly organises internal mock interviews involving Chartered colleagues and senior Partners, while also drawing on relationships with external assessors and industry contacts to give candidates wider exposure to the interview environment.
One of Barker’s key strengths is its in-house experience with professionals who actively assess for RICS, giving candidates valuable insight into how the assessment process works and what assessors are looking for.
This practical guidance helps ensure candidates are not only technically competent, but also fully prepared for the professional discussion element of the APC.
Barker fully funds APC-related fees and invests considerable time and resources into supporting colleagues through the chartership process.
The business sees Chartered status as an important professional benchmark, not only for individual career progression but also as something that directly influences the quality of the service Barker delivers to its clients.
As an RICS-regulated firm, Barker maintains high professional standards across its services and values the credibility and global recognition that Chartered Surveyor status brings.
“RICS chartership is recognised across the world,” Charlie explains. “It’s a genuine mark of professional excellence within the industry.”
With a strong cohort of candidates currently progressing through the APC pathway – and many more lined up to start the process in the next one to two years and beyond – Barker is continuing to invest in the development of its future Chartered Surveyors.
The company’s collaborative culture, hands-on mentoring and structured support network are helping candidates gain the experience, confidence and professional standards needed to succeed, building the next generation of Chartered talent across the company.
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