When Zoe Witts heads out on site, she feels that rush of nerves: the stack of plans under her arm, questions in her head, and the quiet determination to get it right.
“Every project is a challenge,” she says. “Even the smaller domestic jobs test me. But I love that — it means I’m consistently developing and committed to my ongoing learning and continually building my skills and knowledge to ensure I work to the highest standards”
For Zoe, being a Project Surveyor at Salus isn’t just a job title. It’s the product of resilience, retraining, and an organisation that backed her to take on a whole new career.
From Redundancy to Renewal
Zoe’s career path has been anything but straightforward. She began as a buyer after leaving school at 16 and completing a YTS, moving through roles in manufacturing and customer service. Redundancy struck more than once. By the time she became a single parent, stability was the priority.
“I needed something that fitted around school hours, local to home. I applied for an administrator role with Salus, and thankfully got it. That was fifteen years ago.”
What started as a part-time role grew into a long-term commitment. After twelve years in admin, Zoe was approached by Salus founder Paul Meadows with a new opportunity: a degree and training to become a surveyor.
“I never imagined doing something like this,” she admits.
Learning Late, Leading by Example
Retraining in her late 40s, while juggling work, study, and family life, hasn’t been easy. But Zoe sees it as an example worth setting.
“I want my children, my nieces, anyone really, to see that what you do straight after school doesn’t define you. If you put your mind to something, you don’t know unless you try.”
Her respect for her colleagues has only grown through the process.
“The knowledge the experienced surveyors have is incredible — they can pull Approved Documents and British Standards out of their heads. It’s daunting at times, but also inspiring.”
She’s quick to add that gender has never been a barrier.
“On site, everyone’s been really respectful. Contractors actually say, ‘Good for you.’ They want good building control coming through, so helping me helps them too.”
Support That Makes the Difference
The journey has been challenging, but never overwhelming — thanks to the support of the Salus team.
“It’s been baby steps. At first, Paul and others just gave me tasks like reading Approved Documents to get familiar with the language, and setting scenarios for me to research and respond. Then gradually, the workload increased. I’ve never felt thrown in at the deep end.”
When the pressure of university deadlines weighs heavy, her supervisors step in.
“If I say I’m drowning, he’ll tell me: ‘Take what you need, just focus on your uni work.’ That flexibility is huge.”
It’s not the only time Zoe has felt the culture in action. She recalls one winter when heavy snow hit Gloucestershire.
“Paul phoned me and said, ‘Don’t bother coming in, I’ve closed the office. It’s not safe.’ I said I could walk there — but he told me, ‘I’d rather know you’re safe at home.’ At other companies, the attitude that was perceived was, ‘We’d rather you smashed your car up trying to get to us.’ That moment really summed up Salus for me.”
What a Project Surveyor Really Does
So what does her role involve? Zoe breaks it down simply:
“We check plans to make sure they comply with building regulations. We do site inspections to see ensure that what’s on paper is actually being built, and to maintain construction quality and identify and correct any issues early. And we liaise with clients throughout, our role is to support Builders and Developers”
While the technical knowledge is vast, Zoe sees communication as just as vital.
“I know how confusing it can be if someone just says, ‘It doesn’t comply.’ I try to point clients to the right section of the Approved Document, so they understand the why, not just the what.”
That collaborative mindset pays off both ways.
“When I question things, even experienced surveyors sometimes have to double-check. It keeps us all sharp. Learning goes both ways.”
Motivation and Meaning
For Zoe, the role is about more than compliance. It’s about rebuilding her own future.
“Becoming a surveyor gave me purpose and a path. It means I can provide for my children, give them holidays, give them a future. But it’s also about proving to myself that I can do this. That’s what motivates me.”
She lights up when talking about the Salus culture, too.
“They’re supportive of community and national charity events, plus other ideas — like when I suggested a sponsored walk for charity, they were all in. They demonstrate, strong community involvement by supporting charitable activities and local sports organisations. It’s not just about the work, it’s about giving back and being part of a community.”
Three Words
Asked to sum up Salus in three words, Zoe doesn’t hesitate:
Supportive. Encouraging. Team.
And perhaps her own story adds a fourth: Inspiring.
Because every project may be a challenge, but for Zoe Witts, every challenge is a step forward — and proof that it’s never too late to build the career you want.