We are delighted to be partnering with RICS to bring “Coffee, Cakes and Candidates” to Manchester on Friday 13 November 2026, running from 12:00 – 14:00 at The Midland Hotel, 16 Peter Street, Manchester, M60 2DS.

This free, in-person event is designed to support APC candidates as they prepare for their submission and final assessment interview, offering a relaxed and welcoming environment in which to ask questions, gather insight and connect with others going through the same process.

Ask the Assessor

The first hour of the session will feature our “Ask the Assessor” panel, and we’re proud to be fielding three of our experienced assessors for the occasion:

John Baker  – A practising Chartered Surveyor specialising in commercial property lease advisory work and dispute resolution, John began APC assessing in 1999 and is a regular panel Chair and Assessor for both APC and Senior Professional assessments. He has delivered APC training and coaching since 2011 and finds it especially rewarding to see candidates’ confidence grow as their final assessment approaches.

Amy Bracey – A practising lease advisory surveyor acting for investors and occupiers of commercial property, Amy has over ten years of experience in APC training and preparation. She has designed and delivered training programmes across a variety of pathways and supports several of APC Success’s large corporate clients with their graduate cohorts.

Carrie Guy – A Chartered Building Surveyor with extensive experience across commercial and residential projects, traditional building surveys and Party Wall matters, Carrie has nearly a decade of experience supporting APC candidates. She has previously established APC structures for several employers and assessed for RICS for four years.

Candidates will have the opportunity to put their questions directly to John, Amy and Carrie on anything relating to their submission, the final interview, or the assessment process more generally. It’s an informal, interactive session intended to provide practical insight and reassurance ahead of final assessment.

The second half of the event opens up into a broader networking opportunity, with the chance to meet assessors, RICS staff and representatives from LionHeart over coffee, tea, cake and light refreshments.

Places Are Limited – Book Now

This event is capped at 50 attendees, so early booking is strongly recommended. If you’re preparing for your APC and would like to put your questions to our assessors, [book your free place via the RICS website]

An Evening with Our Corporate Clients

Later that evening, we’re also looking forward to hosting several of our key corporate clients at the Matrics Annual Surveyor Awards Dinner at the Midland Hotel — a fitting way to round off what promises to be a great day for the profession in Manchester.

We hope to see you in Manchester on 13 November!

Experienced surveyors Amy Bracey and John Baker have joined APC Success to support the continued growth of the firm’s client base and the expansion in its training programme range.

APC Success, an affiliated company of the specialist advisory and training firm, Hillbreak, is a leading provider of training, coaching and support solutions for candidates preparing for their APC (Assessment of Professional Competence) with the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS).

Amy and John both bring extensive experience in training, coaching, counselling and are experienced APC Chairs and Assessors. They have a passion for helping individuals succeed in their property career goals.

Amy has over 10 years of experience in APC training and preparation. She has designed and delivered training programs for a variety of pathways and has helped numerous individuals successfully prepare for their APC exams. She is also a practicing lease advisory surveyor, acting for investors and occupiers of commercial property across the south west of England. She has assumed responsibility for some of APC Success’s large, corporate clients and is supporting their graduate cohorts with all aspects of APC readiness.

John began APC assessing in 1999 and is a regular panel Chair and Assessor of APC and Senior Professional assessments. He has delivered APC training and coaching since 2011 and finds it rewarding to help the confidence of candidates increase as the final assessment interview approaches. He is a practising Chartered Surveyor specialising in commercial property lease advisory work and dispute resolution. John will have particular responsibility for delivering the APC Success public-facing courses, which are provided predominantly for individuals working independently or for employers with limited numbers of graduates.

“We are delighted to welcome Amy and John to our team,” said Director, Jon Lovell. “Their expertise in APC training and development will be invaluable to our growing number of clients and customers. They’re a first-class addition to our team, bringing not only extensive technical knowledge and experience, but also the personality and empathy that are so important when supporting candidates with what can be a daunting stage in their careers.”

Amy Bracey and John Baker are excited about joining APC Success and contributing to the company’s mission. “I fondly remember being ‘APC Successed’ when I was preparing for my APC all those years ago, and I am thrilled to now be delivering the training. I have thoroughly enjoyed helping APC Success over the last year and being able to formalize this appointment is very exciting,’ said Amy. ‘The firm plays such a vital role for the industry in preparing professionals and leaders for the future and I look forward to working with our clients to design and deliver training and coaching programs that meet their specific needs’.

John added, “APC Success has a first-class reputation in the market. I’m delighted to be joining the experienced and dedicated team to help candidates prepare for their APC assessments and to help set them on the path to longer-term professional success.”

We are pleased to announce that booking for the Spring 2022 APC Success APC Paperwork & Interview Preparation (combined) 3-Day intensive course is now open.

Our increasingly popular three-day intensive course is suitable for APC candidates working in real estate organisations and surveying firms on the Commercial, Residential, Property Finance & Investment and Planning & Development pathways who are looking to sit their APC in Spring 2022. This course, previously referred to as the 3-Day Intensive APC Revision Course, is a combination of the APC Success Paperwork Preparation course and the APC Success Interview Preparation course. By attending the courses in this combined format, attendees receive all the learning benefits of both courses, including continued virtual support between sessions from their cohort and coach, at a reduced cost.

At this time, two groups are available to join; they will run on different dates, but will cover the same content over three full days of highly-interactive sessions taking place. The syllabus will be delivered in two stages: APC Paperwork Preparation November 2021, followed by two further APC Interview Preparation days in February and March 2022. We are continuing to offer our market-leading APC support to candidates via distance learning in line with the Covid-19 precautionary restrictions, and we are delighted with the terrific feedback we have had about this method of delivery. It is our intention to resume the usual in-person format when we can be completely confident ensuring the health and safety of our staff and course participants.

Each group will consist of up to 15 delegates whom we encourage to work together to benefit from collaborative working and mutual support. Additional, ongoing, out-of-session support will also be provided via private social media groups and email. Places are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Our past courses have sold out, so candidates are urged to register sooner rather than later to avoid disappointment.

Training will be delivered by Jon Wright MRICS, who has over 25 years’ experience and has been involved with the RICS APC process since 1995. He has delivered APC training since 2007 and regularly fulfils the role of APC Chair, Auditor and Appeal Panel member.

To book your place on this course, please select your preferred group of training dates from the options below; it is important that you stay within the same Group throughout the course in order to benefit from cohort and ongoing social media support.

Group A: 15 November, 8 February, 22 March

Group B: 18 November, 9 February, 23 March

If you would like to register your interest for future courses (Autumn 2022 sittings and onwards), please email [email protected] including your name, contact details and when you’re hoping to sit your APC.

For more information, download our prospectus by clicking the image below, or email [email protected].

If you would like to register your interest for future courses (Spring 2022 sittings and onwards), please email [email protected] including your name, contact details and when you’re hoping to sit your APC.