The Chancerygate Foundation, a newly-formed not-for-profit charity focussed on helping young people from black and minority ethnic backgrounds to forge a career in the property sector, has placed its first intern with an external organisation.
Andreas Odysseos will join Montagu Evans at the start of September spending time in its commercial, agency and advisory team as well as its property management team as part of a nine-month placement. He will then spend one month at leading industrial developer and asset manager, Chancerygate before completing his BSc in Property Finance & Investment at Nottingham Trent University.
The Chancerygate Foundation was set up in late 2020 as part of Chancerygate’s 25th anniversary celebrations. Part of its objectives is to provide university grants for RICS-accredited courses up to £10,000 to successful applicants; help secure work experience and internships; and offer support and advice about working within the property sector. In addition to this intern appointment, the Foundation has formed an alliance with London South Bank University and Kingston University where it will support students studying RICS-accredited courses.
Andreas heard about the Foundation through a press release announcing its formation and through his early initiative he approached the Trustees who felt they could help find him a position for him to gain valuable experience in industry during his sandwich course placement year. He said: “I am extremely grateful for the Trustees help and guidance in finding a placement for me. Having the opportunity to learn and gain a working experience with Montagu Evans is something I am really excited about and I look forward to joining the team in September.”
Victoria Thompson, HR Director at Montagu Evans, added: “Working with the Chancerygate Foundation is a practical way to make a difference at an individual level and something we are keen to be involved in.
“It’s not just that the real estate sector needs to better embrace and reflect the society we are here to support. The last year has been incredibly tough on young people studying and starting out on their careers. They will be having a very different experience to what most of us remember, and with working life beginning to return to normality we’re in a position to make their professional journeys easier. Andreas has already proved through the interview process that he will be an asset to our partnership and we’re looking forward to seeing him in September.”
Eddie Cook, a Trustee at the Chancerygate Foundation, commented: “Whilst the Foundation has helped provide work experience for other students through its association with Chancerygate as a business, Andreas is the first we have helped to secure a position with an external organisation. From his attitude and initiative shown to date, I have no doubt Andreas will have a great career in property. I am extremely grateful to Montagu Evans for providing such an excellent opportunity for this young man. We now need more employers across the sector who would be willing to offer placements to other students and would encourage people to get in touch to find out more.”