Philip Antino
Having left school at 16, Philip began his career in the construction industry by working for a local medium-sized Essex building firm. He established his own construction company in 1984 specialising in executive extensions, refurbishment, and building new homes. Throughout that time Philip gained an interest, and some expertise in the more technical aspects of construction technology and started to take a more academic interest in the complexities of construction technology and building principles.
Philip read for his building surveying degree at Edinburgh’s Herriot-Watt University graduating with Honours in 1996. Philip then read for his Master’s degree in Construction and Project Management the following year. Whilst reading for his Masters, he became increasingly aware of the impending new legislation ‘The Party Wall etc. Act 1996’ and realised this would have a sunstantial influence on the way party wall procedures would be interpreted and applied.
Philip began his two year professional (APC) training to become a chartered surveyor at Charles Living & Son, where he was guided by senior partner and Fellow of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors Mr. Bernard Living. Philip’s potential was rewarded with promotion to Associate Partner within nine months and after successfully passing his assessment of professional competency with the RICS, Philip became an equity partner within two years of leaving University. It was during this period that Philip noted conflicting interpretations within the party wall community. and began to specialise in party wall matters, professional negligence, expert witness and forensic reports. In 2002 Philip launched APA Property Services Ltd and is now celebrating 10 years of service to the profession and his clients.
Philip’s reputation and experience continues to be recognised througthout the profession. In 2009 Philip was invited to become a memeber of the Faculty of Party Wall surveyors and now holds the position of Director, Regional Chairman, and is a Fellow of the Faculty of Party Wall Surveyors. In 2010 philip obtained his Commercial Mediation Practitioners Certificate.
Philip’s interest in party wall matters raised concern over certain ambiguities and problems within the Act. He was concerned that the approach by some surveyors was having a detrimental effect on the application of the Act. Indeed, one member of the public posted a comment on an online forum claiming “The Party Wall, etc, Act does not work: ignore it!” In view of this negative opinion Philip decided to undertake a professional Doctorate at Salford University and is currently completing his Doctoral Thesis. This is the first academic structured and analytical assessment of the 1996 Act since it became law.
Philip retains a highly pragmatic approach to the building industry and Chartered Surveying profession. He has put this to good use as an expert witness in a number of defining legal cases relating to party wall, professional negligence, defective building works, housing disrepair and breach of contract.
While Philip’s professionalism and success constantly delights the clients of APA Property Services Ltd, he is also shaking the foundations of the Chartered Surveyor establishment, the strength of which he will continue to test whenever he finds poor surveying or building practice particularly when it comes to party walls and professional negligence. His expertise is an unusual combination within the Construction and Chartered Surveying profession: having both practical experience, and professional and academic rigor.
