Tribute paid to ‘respected’ and ‘accomplished’ surveyor and agricultural valuer

Rowland Beaney (Image: Archant)

Rowland John Baxter Beaney FRICS FAAV was senior partner of Lacy Scott & Knight, based at their Bury St Edmunds office.

Following education at Culford School Rowland attended the Royal Agricultural College at Cirencester. After graduating in 1977 he joined Bidwells in Cambridge as a trainee, working under the formidable Sir Francis Pemberton. He qualified as a Chartered Surveyor in 1979 and as an Agricultural Valuer in 1982.

In 1983 he joined his father, Peter Beaney, as a partner at R C Knight & Sons in Stowmarket. In 1997 R C Knight & Sons merged with Lacy Scott to form the current partnership of Lacy Scott & Knight of which Rowland was senior partner.

Rowland became Honorary Secretary of the Suffolk Association of Agricultural Valuers in 1991 and continued in that role for the next 23 years. He was elected to the presidential team of the Central Association of Agricultural Valuers in 2008, culminating in his year of Presidency in June 2010. He appreciated the honour of this appointment and greatly enjoyed meeting other agricultural valuers all around the UK and was especially proud to host the 101st AGM and dinner in Woodbridge.

In 1992 he was appointed to the Lord Chancellor’s Panel of Arbitrators and soon became one of the country’s most eminent arbitrators being involved in the training and supervising of younger members of the profession. Throughout his professional life he was a passionate supporter of younger colleagues in East Anglia, encouraging them to qualify as Chartered Surveyors and Agricultural Valuers.

Rowland was also a past Chairman and Secretary of the East Anglian Rural Practice Division of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.

Outside work Rowland was well known as a competitive hockey player for the Bury St Edmunds Hockey Club, most recently playing veterans hockey. For many years he was involved as a supporter of the club and also organised mini-hockey for aspiring players.

In his younger days he was involved with Stowmarket Young Farmers and later, the Stowmarket Round Table/41 Club. In recent years he spent considerable time and effort organising an annual skiing trip for his friends, most of whom he had known since school and his Young Farmers Club days.

Rowland served for many years as a Governor at Culford School (long after his own children had left). His wealth of experience and knowledge was a great asset to the Board.

Many people in the farming community will have seen Rowland in action as an auctioneer at farm machinery sales as well as charity auctions. He was an accomplished and experienced auctioneer, bringing his own brand of wit and humour to each occasion.

Rowland was married to Judy for over 35 years. He was very proud of his two children, Kate and Thomas, both of whom are Chartered Surveyors albeit not working in the agricultural field. In the last 18 months Rowland greatly enjoyed being a granddad to Henry.

There is no doubt that Rowland will be sorely missed both personally and professionally by all who knew him.

A Memorial Service to celebrate his life will be held at St Mary’s Church, Bury St Edmunds at 1pm on Tuesday, January 13, 2015.