Countrywide Surveying Services (CSS) has appointed John Baguley as director of risk and compliance.

Baguley joins Countrywide Surveying Services from RICS where he held the position of tangible assets valuation Director and had the responsibility for residential and commercial valuation standards in the UK and Europe.

He previously was Surveyors Ombudsman at Ombudsman Services: Property (OS:P) for eight years. Prior to the ombudsman role, he was professional services manager at Colleys, a post which followed 13 years’ operating in the field as a fully qualified chartered surveyor.

CSS panel manages and undertakes valuations for the majority of UK mortgage lenders and employs over 700 personnel, including over 450 in-house RICS qualified Registered Valuers covering most UK postcodes including Northern Ireland.

Matthew Cumber, CSS’s managing director, said: “This represents an integral appointment for Countrywide Surveying Services as we look to build on what was an incredibly tough but highly successful year. The areas of risk and compliance form the foundations of any successful surveying firm and John will add a wealth of experience and knowledge to the business having ‘walked the corridors of power’ within the government and at RICS.

“I am thrilled that he views Countrywide Surveying Services as the next step in his illustrious career and he will prove a vital asset as we look to further enhance our reputation as the leading residential surveying business in the UK.”

Baguley added: “I am delighted to be part of the Countrywide Surveying Services team and it’s a great time to join during conference week, as the professionalism and quality of the organisation has shone through. Very excited to be part of the future of Countrywide as it maintains and grows its position as the best and most trusted provider of surveys and valuations across the UK.”