FROM D GRADES TO DIRECTOR
CICES member Adam Baz charts his journey into the world of construction law
To say I took the scenic route into the world of surveying would be an understatement, but every detour helped shape the professional I am today.
When the October 2024 edition of the Civil Engineering Surveyor journal was published, I was immediately intrigued by Alison’s appointment and especially interested in the amazing work that Class of Your Own (COYO) does. I pondered reaching out for a while, then decided to go ahead and message Alison on LinkedIn. Instantly greeted with a warm response, we organised a face-to-face meeting with Alison and Vicki [Irving]. There, we began talking about COYO and my own journey as a professional surveyor, specifically the support, or lack thereof, throughout my educational journey.
Harking back to my school days, I was not a model student. I don’t believe I was unpleasant, but I certainly didn’t pay as much attention as I should have or achieve satisfactory results. Instead, I would mostly feel disengaged and out of place; not being naturally talented or possessing a strong academic foundation, I would often give up on trying. That combined with being told I wouldn’t amount to anything by unsupportive teachers (not all of them, but some) and being from a background that lacked opportunities.
There weren’t many people who made something of themselves, so to speak, and so the encouragement to excel was few and far between. That’s not to say I didn’t have a supporting network of family and friends. I did, and I was always a very ambitious person, I just didn’t know how, why or what I would do to unlock that ambition.
Adam pictured at his MSc graduation with partner Darcie and his mother.
In my final two years of secondary school, I decided I wouldn’t put any effort into my GCSEs as I had just landed a mechanics apprenticeship that had zero requirement for grades C and above – I thought I was on to a winner. I quickly realised that this wasn’t for me, and I knew I could achieve more. I decided to reach out to the college tutor who ran our level two built environment course while in the final two years of school.
This was a new offering at the time and one that excited me, as I originally chose a pathway to construction. Luckily, the tutor told me I could join the level three course, however, I had to attend night school for a year to obtain my GCSE maths and English to a grade C or above.
Without this, my journey would end with college, as I would not get admitted into university to study quantity surveying. admittedly, there was a lot of chopping and changing - I was very frantic with my decisions - but each step is a necessary part of this story. Once I began my level three built environment diploma at college, it seemed to be the first time I felt that fire in my belly to succeed.
Because of the changes to my career path and having a rude awakening changing oil filters and car tyres in a freezing cold garage every morning (it personally wasn’t for me), I was ready to unlock my true potential and ambitions.
This also didn’t come without its adversity as I joined the course some two months late, meaning I had to catch up to where the other students were (more workload!).
Nevertheless, I came out of college having excelled in the grades needed for my GCSEs and earned myself a distinction/distinction/merit on the built environment programme. So, off I went to Sheffield Hallam University, ready to study quantity surveying.
This would be the start of something new! Looking back on my university journey and becoming a qualified quantity surveyor with a Bachelor’s degree, I can honestly say that impostor syndrome followed me throughout. The first year was tough: I was still finding my feet. But my placement year was a turning point. I genuinely loved the work and, for the first time, I could see myself doing this long term. When I graduated, it felt surreal. That sense of doubt was still lingering, but now it was mixed with something new; belief.
Landing a QS role with Balfour B B Beatty was a big step. From there, I moved through different positions, gaining broad experience across the civil and construction industry. Every job brought its challenges, and with them new lessons. I started pushing myself more, realising that the only way to grow was to keep stepping out of my comfort zone. I stopped identifying it as impostor syndrome and started to see it as an opportunity to grow. Now, I welcome these situations and really immerse myself in them.
The next pinnacle stage in my journey was enrolling on a Master’s in construction law and dispute resolutions at Leeds B B Beckett University. Doing this alongside being promoted to commercial manager was going to be a tough workload to manage, but I thought “the time is never ripe” - so I went headfirst and took it on. It also helped that I now had an extremely supportive line manager and mentor.
After endless hours of study and perseverance to complete the Master’s, I ended the course with a merit and as a member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, something I am extremely proud of, and something, at one stage in my life, I didn’t think possible! Not only this, but I unlocked my newfound passion in construction law, really cementing my ambitions in this sphere.
I now have my sights set on becoming an accredited mediator in the near future, another personal example for me to continuously push boundaries.
Today, I am a proud member of the Chartered Institution of Civil Engineering Surveyors (recently admitted) and a transformation director at ABS Commercial Solutions. This is a role that brings together everything I have worked for: my QS experience, my legal studies and my drive to create something valuable for the industry.
I’ve carved out a niche that I genuinely love and it feels like I’m finally exactly where I’m meant to be. I will continue growing and pushing boundaries, both personally and professionally. I have been fortunate to quickly learn that you can reach for the stars, because even if you fall short, you may land on the moon.
Soon, I’ll be heading to a DEC school to speak with students. The thought of talking to young people who might be in the same shoes I once was, it gives me goosebumps. I didn’t have someone from the industry come into my school when I was their age, but I now realise how much that would have meant to me.
Maybe I can be that person for someone else, and I am excited to give back. I feel that this is crucial, not because of my journey and experience, but because of the growing skills gap our industry faces. It is vital for us to share what can be achieved and to inspire all generations, from all backgrounds and varying skill sets.
Because here’s the truth: it doesn’t matter where you start. What matters is that you keep showing up, keep growing and keep believing that something more is possible. I did - and I’m just getting started.