From project coordination to rural property management, Bonnie’s career journey shows why staying open to change can lead to exactly where you are meant to be.
When Bonnie Seward first joined Fisher German in 2022 as a project coordinator, she could not have known exactly where her career would take her. Four years on, her journey has included achieving AssocRICS membership to become a surveyor, experiencing a different working environment outside the business and returning to Fisher German as a Senior Surveyor with a renewed appreciation for the firm’s people, culture and flexibility.
Bonnie is based in the Doncaster office, and her career path is a reminder that progression is not always linear. The route you imagine at the start may look very different from the one you ultimately follow, and that can be a positive thing.
She began her career in our infrastructure land rights & consultancy team, which she describes as an excellent start to her surveying career. Working in a growing industry gave her exposure to varied projects, clients and experiences, helping her build confidence, technical knowledge and professional skills.
After becoming a surveyor in 2024, Bonnie moved to Savills to experience something different and explore remote working, which she felt would suit her personal circumstances at the time. The move gave her valuable perspective, including the realisation that remote working was not quite the right fit for her.
When the opportunity came to return to Fisher German, Bonnie says she “leapt at the chance”. For her, the decision was driven by the people, the opportunities available across the firm and the strong culture that makes Fisher German such a great place to work.
Her move into rural property management brings Bonnie back to her agricultural roots. With an agricultural degree, strong local farming connections and a growing breadth of experience, she is now in a role where her background, interests and skills come together.
That sense of evolution has been present since childhood. Bonnie once imagined becoming a teacher, author or photographer before developing an interest in agriculture as a teenager. Today, she can see elements of those early ambitions in her working life, from supporting others through the AssocRICS Steering Group to writing, building relationships and applying her agricultural knowledge.
Her advice to others is not to be short-sighted early in their career. There are years ahead to grow, change and reach your goals, and Bonnie believes hard work and valuable contributions will be recognised. She also stresses the importance of treating people fairly and doing your best, because surveying is a small world and you never know what future opportunities may come from the relationships you build.
Bonnie often comes back to the same point when talking about Fisher German: the people. The Doncaster office was one of the big draws in her decision to return, with regular social events, office breakfasts, monthly activities and lunchtime walks around Doncaster Lakeside all contributing to a positive working environment.
She also values how the company has maintained its culture during a period of growth. Bonnie recognises that, as organisations expand, people can risk feeling like “just a number”. For her, Fisher German has worked hard to avoid that through head office initiatives, company-wide events and opportunities to build relationships across offices, teams and services. She also sees the firm’s wider range of expertise as a benefit, giving people more ways to develop business and personal skills.
For Bonnie, being the best version of yourself at work means having balance, support and encouragement. Flexible working, wellbeing initiatives such as the annual walking challenge, and opportunities beyond the day-to-day role all help people develop personally and professionally.
Bonnie believes getting involved is one of the keys to success. As Vice Chair of the internal AssocRICS Steering Group, she helps support associate candidates as they work towards RICS membership, while also meeting colleagues from across the business.
She is also part of the Doncaster SAGE team, working with colleagues to make the office a fun, sociable and welcoming place to be. For Bonnie, development is not only about technical progression, but also about building networks, supporting others and contributing to the culture around you.
Away from work, Bonnie is an avid reader, loves walking and hiking with her dogs, and has recently added a vegetable patch to her garden. Her idea of a perfect moment is simple and relatable: a good book, a glass of wine and time spent outdoors.
The outdoors is a thread that runs through both her personal and professional life. Although she has visited many beautiful places, Bonnie says it is hard to beat a day out in the Peak District, whether walking, visiting places such as Chatsworth and Haddon Hall, or enjoying one of the area’s many great pubs.
Her journey is a reminder that the right path is not always the most obvious one. By staying open to change, continuing to learn and making the most of the opportunities around her, Bonnie has found a role that brings together her skills, interests and values. Just as importantly, her story shows the person behind the career: someone who values people, fairness, fresh air, good books and the chance to keep growing.