George Simpson joined Fisher German as a recently qualified surveyor in our Stafford office, and over the past 25 years has built a career shaped by opportunity, long-term client relationships and team growth. We caught up with George to look back on his journey and how it led him to his current role as Divisional Managing Partner of our infrastructure services team.
A return to roots
He joined us in April 2001, coming home to Staffordshire after working in Bedfordshire. Freshly qualified and ambitious, he says Fisher German, newly known by that name at the time, already had a “progressive feel” and felt like the right fit as he looked to build a long-term career.
Before Fisher German, George completed his placement year and started out as a graduate at Robinson & Hall in Bedford. He credits the firm with teaching him a great deal about professionalism and commerciality. Even earlier than that, his working life began in the way many rural careers do - holidays, nights and weekends spent working on farms and in a local pub from his mid-teens.
Finding a passion for infrastructure
When George joined the Stafford office, it operated as a department in its own right, focused on rural estate management, general professional work and a small amount of utilities work for South Staffs Water. As assistant to three equity partners, and an associate covering a wide range of work, George found himself particularly drawn to the utilities projects. “It was the South Staffs work that I enjoyed the most,” he says, “and it sparked my passion for infrastructure services.”
That early spark helped shape a much bigger story. Over time, the team secured a contract with Severn Trent, and from there built the Stafford utilities team. As the business continued to develop, that work later combined with teams in Banbury, Worcester, Market Harborough, Newark and Ashby to form Infrastructure Consultancy, an area George went on to lead for three years before handing over to Matthew Hodgetts.
Ask George what a typical day looks like and he’s quick to say there isn’t really one. Like many roles across the business, his work is both client- and people-focused, and much of his time is spent helping others to achieve their goals, whether that’s responding to an opportunity, navigating a challenge, or supporting plans that help the weeks and months ahead run more smoothly.
Reflecting on growth and what makes FG different
Over the last 25 years, Fisher German has grown significantly, and George believes that growth has a clear benefit: it enables growth in people and strengthens what the firm can offer clients. Looking back, he’s proud to have played a part in the transformation, particularly in the depth of knowledge and range of services now available, and in the increased variety and scale of clients the business supports.
For him, our unique strength is balancing national capability with a supportive, close-knit feel. He describes us as one of a very small number of property consultancies that combines a strong, technically focused national offer with a culture where people genuinely look out for one another, and where entrepreneurial spirit is encouraged and rewarded. From the outside, he believes people see us as progressive and people-focused, with deep technical knowledge and describes us as safe and reliable and perhaps less flashy than some of our competitors.
Secrets to success: focus, gratitude and strengths
When asked what has helped him succeed, George points to a simple mindset: focusing on what he can do for the business rather than what the business can do for him. He also acknowledges the role of others along the way, saying he’s been lucky to have had inspiring supporters and is grateful for the encouragement he’s received.
That people-first perspective comes through in how he talks about development, too. George has long believed in playing to strengths. While weaknesses matter and need attention, he says focusing on strengths leads to happier people and better results, and sometimes that means changing roles or even teams to find the best fit.
He took on his current Divisional Managing Partner role within Infrastructure Services 12 months ago. While still ‘bedding in’, he’s clear about the ambition ahead: delivering a business plan that broadens clients and markets, grows services, and improves systems and the overall people experience.
George advises new colleagues to focus on building relationships, noting the supportive team at Fisher German. He suggests regularly considering how your work benefits clients and the business, and concentrating on improvement, as this approach leads to greater fulfilment.
Quick-fire: a bit more about George
When you were a child, what did you want to be? A policeman, before a love of the countryside set the direction for his future.
Hobbies: Helping on the family farm, renovating a listed farmhouse with his wife, spending time outdoors with two teenage daughters and two dogs, and when time allows, cycling in and around the Peak District.
Favourite destination: Anywhere with mountains, ideally with historic buildings or structures and a good pub.
Right now, outside of work: George and his wife are in the early stages of renovating a listed farmhouse, an exciting project that brings plenty of interesting challenges.