Business Rates: Challenges, Changes & Opportunities

Ruqayya Joji

Rating Surveyor, Dunlop Heywood

Ruqayya is a graduate business rates surveyor working to specialise in rating appeals across Scotland and England. She currently focuses on rating appeals for retail, office and industrial properties across the region.

Adam Brooke

Director, Dunlop Heywood

Adam, with over a decade of experience in business rates, has secured savings of over £30m for a diverse range of clients, including both private and public-sector bodies. After working at Christie & Co, he joined Dunlop Heywood in 2017, focusing on the public houses and hotels sector. Adam combines industry knowledge with valuation expertise to provide reliable, specialist rating services.

Richard Scott

Director, Dunlop Heywood

Richard is a leading rating advisor in the UK, specializing in sports stadia, gyms, and other specialist property types. A member of RICS since 2012, he advises on rateable values, rates liability, and conducts rating appeals across England, Wales, and Scotland. Richard has achieved notable successes, including significant reductions for football stadiums.

Aaron Mcleod

Director, Dunlop Heywood

Aaron is the Operations Director for Dunlop Heywood. He has worked in Rating for the last 15 years, having previously worked within Manchester City Council’s business rates department before moving into private practice in 2012. Joining Dunlop Heywood in 2015, he formed a successful Rating Audit team whilst also heading up the Empty Rates Management team. Aaron is a holder of the IRRV (Institute of Revenues, Rating & Valuation) Diploma having qualified in 2019 and became Operations Director within Dunlop Heywood in January 2022.