From growing up in South Africa surrounded by Quantity Surveyors to co-founding Quantem, Blake Turner has always been drawn to the people, variety and problem-solving that make construction such a rewarding industry. In this Q&A, Blake, Senior Partner, shares what inspired his career, the advice he’d give to newcomers and why he believes being present in the workplace still matters.
What first attracted you to quantity surveying?
Quantity surveying has always been close to home for Blake.
“My father, uncle and father in law are all Quantity Surveyors, so I come from a bit of a line of QSs.”
But family connections weren’t the only reason he chose the profession.
“I liked the versatility of the work and being in different environments, speaking to people from different disciplines and walks of life. That’s what originally got me interested.”
For Blake, variety and collaboration remain some of the most enjoyable aspects of the role today.
Why did you decide to set up Quantem rather than join another large firm?
Having grown up and been educated in SA, Blake says entrepreneurship was embedded from an early age.
“A lot of your education in an emerging market is about owning and running businesses. There was always an entrepreneurial thread through it.”
After moving to the UK in his early twenties, he recognised opportunities but knew success would depend on finding the right people.
“It was something I’d always had in mind. When John, Bruce, Mick and I (founding partners) first started talking, we quickly realised there was real synergy and an opportunity to move things forward.”
As larger organisations became increasingly complex, the chance to build something different felt like the right move.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Blake keeps it simple:
“Stick to what you’re good at. Do something you enjoy, are passionate about and do it well.”
It’s advice that has guided his own career and approach to business.
Quantity surveyors often get labelled as “brick counters”. How do you challenge that perception?
While the stereotype still exists, Blake believes the profession has evolved significantly.
“We’ve got to keep evolving and being dynamic in how we deal with problem solving and get projects moving forward.”
He explains that many clients come to Quantem because they want advisers who think beyond just measurements and costs.
“People come to us because they need more than “brick counting”, they need strategic advice on how to get projects delivered whilst ensuring that their risk is well managed and that they are getting value for money in a complex market”
Although some traditional perceptions remain, he believes the majority of Quantity Surveyors provide much broader strategic advice than the old stereotype suggests.
What advice would you give to someone starting out in the industry today?
Blake’s answer centres around curiosity and learning.
“Be switched on. Listen to what’s going on around you, absorb information and make yourself accessible.”
He is also a strong advocate for spending time in the workplace, especially during the early years of a career.
“I see those years as part of your education. Actively put yourself in an environment where you can absorb the knowledge and experience around you and it will help to ensure that you develop into a well-rounded professional.”
According to Blake, some of the most valuable lessons come from simply being in the office where
“You feed off people’s energy. The workplace is where you concentrate the energy and that’s what drives the business.”
If you could have dinner with any historical figure, who would it be?
Without hesitation, Blake chooses Winston Churchill.
“He steered the UK through the war, showing tremendous leadership and courage in the face of adversity and I’d love to understand how he dealt with those huge decisions that he needed to make that affected generations to come.”
What’s something colleagues might be surprised to know about you?
Many people know Blake as a business leader, but fewer know about his love of the ocean and surfing.
Growing up in Durban on SA’s east coast, he developed a passion for the ocean that remains today.
“I’m a keen surfer.”
For him, time by the sea offers a chance to switch off and reset.
“You just forget about everything, especially when you get into the freezing cold water around North Devon or Cornwall and it freezes your brain!”
What was the first album you ever bought?
Like many of us, Blake’s answer reveals a little nostalgia.
His first album?
Bon Jovi’s Slippery When Wet.
And yes, it was on cassette.
“I remember playing Bon Jovi on one of those old top-loading tape recorders. That’s a long time ago.”
Throughout his career, Blake has remained passionate about building the business, developing people and creating an environment where collaboration thrives.
His philosophy is straightforward:
“Concentrate the energy and things will happen.”
And judging by Quantem’s continued growth, it’s an approach that’s working.
About Blake Turner
Blake Turner is the Senior Partner and Co-Founder at Quantem. Originally from Durban, South Africa, he moved to the UK in his twenties and helped establish Quantem with a vision of creating a more dynamic and collaborative consultancy. Passionate about people, projects and problem-solving, he continues to champion a collaborative, trusted and strategic approach to the delivery of assets in the built environment.
