Joel Bentley
Cambridge,Cambridgeshire
Summary
A young professional with expertise in Development Appraisal & Financial Modelling, Site Acquisition & Due Diligence, and Planning Strategy & Policy (NPPF, Local Plans). Demonstrates exceptional skills in Risk Identification & Mitigation, Stakeholder & Client Management, and Project Coordination & Programme Management. Known for Commercial Negotiation & Reporting and Valuation report writing, complemented by Decision-Making prowess and Effective networking. Committed to Ethical responsibility and Estate management while ensuring Communication proficiency and Time efficiency. Aspires to leverage these competencies towards impactful contributions in the field of real estate development.
Overview
6
6
years of professional experience
Work history
Graduate Land & Development Surveyor
Bidwells
Cambridge
01.2024 - 04.2026
- Manage and support a portfolio of strategic land development projects across the UK, advising landowners on promotion, option and disposal strategies.
- Take ownership of key workstreams including site appraisal, planning strategy input, and coordination of multidisciplinary consultant teams.
- Lead client communications, ensuring clear reporting and alignment on commercial objectives, risk profile and programme.
- Provide detailed commercial analysis, including development appraisals, land value sensitivity testing and viability considerations.
- Review and negotiate key legal and commercial documents (option agreements, promotion agreements, heads of terms), ensuring alignment with client objectives.
- Work closely with planning, legal and technical consultants to drive projects forward efficiently and mitigate delivery risk.
- Key competencies developed:
- Client management and relationship building
- Project ownership and accountability
- Commercial awareness and negotiation
- Strategic thinking across planning and development
Development (Pre-Construction) – Cambridge Investment Partnership
The Hill Group
Cambridge
09.2020 - 11.2023
- Worked within a joint venture delivering high-quality residential and mixed-use schemes, including private sale and affordable housing.
- Undertook detailed site appraisals, assessing planning constraints, technical considerations and development viability across potential acquisitions.
- Prepared and managed financial appraisals, incorporating land values, build costs, planning obligations (CIL, S106), programme assumptions and profit margins.
- Coordinated the pre-construction process, working alongside architects, engineers, planning consultants and local authorities to progress schemes through planning.
- Led due diligence processes, identifying key risks including contamination, ecology, arboriculture and access constraints, and implementing mitigation strategies.
- Supported planning strategy development, including engagement with local authorities and stakeholders to facilitate positive outcomes.
- Contributed to project programming, ensuring schemes progressed in line with acquisition assumptions and delivery targets.
- Produced reporting for senior management, presenting recommendations on site acquisitions and project progression.
- Key experience gained:
- End-to-end understanding of the development lifecycle
- Strong grounding in viability and financial modelling
- Exposure to complex planning and technical constraints
- Collaborative working across multidisciplinary teams
Education
A-Levels -
Long Road Sixth Form College
GCSEs - undefined
Impington Village College
Skills
- Development Appraisal & Financial Modelling
- Site Acquisition & Due Diligence
- Planning Strategy & Policy (NPPF, Local Plans)
- Risk Identification & Mitigation
- Stakeholder & Client Management
- Project Coordination & Programme Management
- Commercial Negotiation & Reporting
- Valuation report writing
- Decision-Making prowess
- Effective networking
- Ethical responsibility
- Estate management
- Communication proficiency
- Time efficiency
References
Available upon request
Additional Information
Strong interest in sport, particularly rugby and gym training, Black belt in Tae-Kwon-Do (6 years training), Active interest in financial markets and investment
Timeline
Graduate Land & Development Surveyor
Bidwells
01.2024 - 04.2026
Development (Pre-Construction) – Cambridge Investment Partnership
The Hill Group
09.2020 - 11.2023
GCSEs - undefined
Impington Village College
A-Levels -
Long Road Sixth Form College