This is Surveying

Nina Young - Surveyors UK

🎧 This Is Surveying Because surveying matters, and so do the people behind it. This Is Surveying lifts the lid on the real world of surveying, the highs, the hurdles, the geeky details (yes, even AI and emerging tech), and the humans driving it all. We go beyond the stereotypes to explore how surveyors shape both the built and natural environment. You’ll hear honest, down-to-earth conversations about work, business, and life, from seasoned professionals to those just starting out, plus fresh perspectives from guests outside the profession who bring valuable insight into leadership, innovation, and change. Powered by Surveyors UK, the independent platform connecting and promoting the profession, and The Surveying Room, its free online community bringing surveyors together, breaking down silos, and making surveying visible. If you’re a surveyor, a future surveyor, or simply curious about this brilliant and often overlooked profession, you’re in the right place. Hosted by Nina Young, Founder of Surveyors UK. Visit www.surveyors-uk.com to join The Surveying Room and learn more. We are also on YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/@SurveyorsUK

  1. 5 days ago

    Can AI Replace a Chartered Surveyor? A Professor Answers Honestly

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Nina Young speaks with Adrian Tagg about the changing world of building surveying education, the growing impact of AI, and why surveying remains one of the most future-proof professions. The conversation explores how universities are adapting to AI, why practical learning still matters, and what makes building surveying such a resilient profession in an increasingly automated world. Nina and Adrian also discuss outreach, attracting younger people into surveying, and the importance of developing evidence-based judgement that technology simply cannot replace. What We Cover Moving from the military into surveyingWhy building surveying is so diverseSustainability and energy efficiency in practiceThe shortage of surveyors across the industryOutreach work with schools and young peopleCareer changes and mature students in surveyingAI and its impact on educationWhy surveying still relies on human judgementProfessional accountability and client responsibilityThe future of surveying educationGuest Links Adrian Tagg’s Email – a.tagg@reading.ac.uk Useful Links University of Reading Building Surveying page – https://www.reading.ac.uk/ready-to-study/study/2026/surveying-and-construction-management-ug/bsc-building-surveying Guest Bio Adrian Tagg is an Associate Professor in Building Surveying at the University of Reading and a practising chartered building surveyor. Alongside academia, Adrian continues to work within industry and has extensive experience across building pathology, professional practice and surveying education. He also served as lead author for the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors guidance note on Planned Preventative Maintenance. Adrian is passionate about professional standards, applied learning, and encouraging more people into the surveying profession. If you want to connect with surveyors across the UK and keep up with the profession, join The Surveying Room. It is free to join and open to all types of surveyors, students, and professionals who work with them. Surveyors UK & The Surveying Room   Connect with me - Nina Young on LinkedIn

    46 min

  2. 26 May

    From Bronze Sculptor to Building Surveyor with Victoria Collins

    Send us Fan Mail Summary Victoria Collins joins me to share her journey from working in a bronze foundry to becoming a chartered building surveyor at Ridge & Partners. We talk about changing careers, studying later in life, and what it really takes to qualify in surveying. Victoria also shares her passion for historic buildings and her current path into building conservation. This is a brilliant example of how varied the routes into surveying can be. What We Cover From fine art to surveying Working in a bronze foundry Health challenges and career decisions Studying a master’s alongside work Passing the APC and becoming chartered Day to day life in commercial building surveying Project work and site experience Moving into building conservation Apprenticeships and supporting new entrants The importance of problem solving in surveying Guest Links Victoria Collins - linkedin.com/in/victoria-collins-670719195 Useful Links  Ridge and Partners LLP - https://ridge.co.uk/ Guest Bio Victoria Collins is a chartered building surveyor at Ridge & Partners with a growing specialism in building conservation. She began her career in a fine art bronze foundry, working on large scale sculptures for internationally recognised artists. After eight years in the industry, she retrained in building surveying, completing a master’s degree while working and going on to achieve chartership through the RICS. Vicki is now undertaking a further master’s in historic conservation and is working towards professional accreditation in the field, combining her hands-on background with a passion for historic buildings. If you want to connect with surveyors across the UK and keep up with the profession, join The Surveying Room. It is free to join and open to all types of surveyors, students, and professionals who work with them. Surveyors UK & The Surveying Room   Connect with me - Nina Young on LinkedIn

    52 min

  3. 19 May

    David Coplin-Chard on building a modern surveying brand and why soft skills matter.

    Send us Fan Mail Summary David Coplin-Chard, a founder & director of Landview Surveyors, joins me to share his journey from estate agency into residential surveying. We talk about branding, communication, and why soft skills are just as important as technical knowledge.  A practical and honest conversation about building a business, standing out, and improving the home buying experience.  What We Cover  Moving into surveying from estate agency Soft skills and communication in surveying Managing difficult situations on site Survey timing and the buying process Building a brand in surveying The importance of reviews Social media for surveyors AI and the future of surveying Career advice for new surveyors Guest Links:  David Coplin-Chard -  linkedin.com/in/david-coplin-chard-827599203  Useful Links:  Landview Surveyors-  landviewsurveyors.co.uk  Guest Bio David Coplin-Chard is a founder & director of Landview Surveyors. He is a residential surveyor and business owner with a background in estate agency. He transitioned into surveying through the Sava route and has since built a growing brand in the residential surveying space. Known for his strong communication skills and presence on social media, David focuses on improving client experience, modernising how surveyors present themselves, and building a recognisable brand in a traditionally low-visibility profession.  If you want to connect with surveyors across the UK and keep up with the profession, join The Surveying Room. It is free to join and open to all types of surveyors, students, and professionals who work with them. Surveyors UK & The Surveying Room   Connect with me - Nina Young on LinkedIn

    46 min

  4. 12 May

    Dilapidations, Lease Risk and Protecting Value in Commercial Property by Tim Clarke

    Send us Fan Mail Summary I’m joined by Tim Clarke, Managing Director of Harrison Clark, to talk all things dilapidations. We break down what they are, why they matter, and how surveyors help both landlords and tenants navigate risk. This is a practical and honest conversation about commercial surveying, lease liability, and the real impact of good advice. What we cover Tim’s journey into surveying Public vs private sector experience What dilapidations mean in practice Why landlords protect asset value How claims are assessed and negotiated Lease wording and risk exposure Schedules of condition explained Tenant and landlord strategies Real examples from practice The human side of surveyingGuest Links Tim Clarke  –  linkedin.com/in/tim-clarke-bsc-hons-msc-mba-mrics-cmgr-fcmi-88064432 Useful Links Harrison Clarke - harrisonclarke.co.uk Guest Bio Tim Clarke is the Managing Director of Harrison Clark, a chartered surveying firm specialising in commercial property advice, including dilapidations, technical due diligence, and lease consultancy. With experience across both public and private sectors, Tim has built a reputation for practical, clear advice and a strong understanding of property risk. He is also passionate about making surveying knowledge more accessible through education, content, and industry engagement. If you want to connect with surveyors across the UK and keep up with the profession, join The Surveying Room. It is free to join and open to all types of surveyors, students, and professionals who work with them. Surveyors UK & The Surveying Room   Connect with me - Nina Young on LinkedIn

    53 min

  5. 5 May

    Ed Ellis on residential surveying, people, and the reality of walking into someone’s home.

    Send us Fan Mail Summary In this episode, Nina Young speaks with Ed Ellis about the human side of residential surveying.  From unpredictable site visits to emotional client situations, Ed shares what it is really like working in people’s homes and why communication skills are just as important as technical knowledge in the surveying profession.  This is an honest and insightful look at residential surveying in the UK.  What we cover   Career journey into surveying  Life on site as a residential surveyor  Managing emotions and difficult situations  Survey vs valuation confusion  Importance of soft skills  Client perception of surveyors  Property documentation challenges  Professional standards and reputation  Industry misconceptions  Future of the surveying professionGuest Links Ed Ellis - https://www.linkedin.com/in/edward-ellis-15627636 Useful Links RICS (Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors): https://www.rics.org SAVA (Surveying Training): https://sava.co.uk Guest Bio Ed Ellis is a registered valuer and experienced residential surveyor with over 14 years in the industry. With a career spanning agencies, corporate firms, and private practice, this breadth of experience offers a well-rounded perspective on surveying and valuation. A strong emphasis is placed on the human side of residential surveying, highlighting the importance of clear communication, professionalism, and delivering a positive client experience.  If you want to connect with surveyors across the UK and keep up with the profession, join The Surveying Room. It is free to join and open to all types of surveyors, students, and professionals who work with them. Surveyors UK & The Surveying Room   Connect with me - Nina Young on LinkedIn

    55 min

  6. 28 Apr

    Drone Surveying and Life as a Chief UAS Pilot with Zara McGregor

    Send us Fan Mail Summary Drones are transforming surveying, but what does the job actually look like in practice? In this episode, Nina Young speaks with Zara McGregor, Chief UAS Pilot at Plowman Craven. Zara shares how she built a career in drone surveying, the realities of flying drones on construction sites, and the challenges of regulation, safety, and public perception. What We Cover How Zara became a Chief UAS PilotApprenticeships and alternative routes into surveyingDrone surveying on construction sitesNavigating airspace restrictions and flight permissionsWorking with the Civil Aviation Authority and drone regulationsSafety checks and operational planningThe accuracy of drone survey dataPublic perception of drones and privacy concernsCareer opportunities in drone surveyingEncouraging the next generation into geospatial careersGuest Links Zara McGregor on LinkedIn -  https://www.linkedin.com/in/zara-mcgregor-drone-whiz Plowman Craven - https://plowmancraven.com Useful Links Coptrz – https://www.coptrz.com Drone Pilot Academy – https://dronepilotacademy.co.uk Guest Bio Zara McGregor is Chief UAS Pilot at Plowman Craven, where she leads drone operations for surveying and construction projects. She began her career through a geospatial technician apprenticeship and developed her skills in land surveying, CAD, and aerial data capture. Zara now specialises in commercial drone operations, managing drone surveys, inspections, and mapping projects while ensuring compliance with Civil Aviation Authority regulations. She is also passionate about sharing her experiences and encouraging more people to explore careers in geospatial technology and drone surveying. If you want to connect with surveyors across the UK and keep up with the profession, join The Surveying Room. It is free to join and open to all types of surveyors, students, and professionals who work with them. Surveyors UK & The Surveying Room   Connect with me - Nina Young on LinkedIn

    46 min

  7. 21 Apr

    Charlie Crocker on valuation, building a surveying firm, and the future of property valuation

    Send us Fan Mail Summary Charlie Crocker, Managing Director of Terracosta Property and an RICS Registered Valuer, joins Nina Young to talk about valuation, starting a surveying firm, and the realities of running a small practice. From his early days at JLL to an unexpected entrepreneurial chapter in Brazil during the Olympics, Charlie shares lessons on pricing, resilience, graduates, and how AI is beginning to support valuation work. What We Cover Moving from town planning into surveyingTraining as a graduate surveyor at JLLEntrepreneurial lessons from working in BrazilLaunching Terracosta PropertyValuation and the complexity of commercial propertyThe challenge of pricing professional servicesAI and its role in surveying todayAutomated valuation models and where they fitSupporting graduates through the APC processCollaboration across the surveying professionGuest Links Charlie Crocker – https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlie-crocker-b498bb12 Useful Links  Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) - https://www.rics.org  Guest Bio Charlie Crocker is the Managing Director of Terracosta Property and an RICS Registered Valuer and Chartered Surveyor. His career began at JLL after completing a RICS accredited masters, where he trained in valuation and gained experience across commercial property. After several years in London, Charlie moved to Brazil, where he built and ran property businesses during the Olympic years. Returning to the UK, he founded Terracosta Property, a chartered surveying practice providing valuation and building surveying services across residential and commercial property. Charlie is passionate about professional standards, developing graduates through the APC process, and embracing technology responsibly within surveying practice. If you want to connect with surveyors across the UK and keep up with the profession, join The Surveying Room. It is free to join and open to all types of surveyors, students, and professionals who work with them. Surveyors UK & The Surveying Room   Connect with me - Nina Young on LinkedIn

    39 min

  8. 14 Apr

    Energy House, EPC Reform, and the Future of Retrofit with Professor Richard Fitton

    Send us Fan Mail Summary Professor Richard Fitton joins me on the podcast to talk about building performance, EPC reform, and the growing role surveyors will play in the retrofit of UK housing. Richard is a Chartered Building Surveyor and Professor of Building Physics at the University of Salford. He leads Energy House 2.0, a world-leading research facility where full houses are tested inside climate-controlled chambers to understand exactly how buildings perform. We talk about EPC accuracy, the performance gap between modelling and real buildings, and the research behind Richard’s white paper calling for better building data. We also explore the Warm Homes Plan, the debate around fabric-first retrofit, and why surveyors have a major opportunity to expand their role in energy performance, ventilation, and healthy homes. What We Cover Richard’s route into surveying and academiaInside Energy House and Energy House 2.0Why real building performance testing mattersEPC reform and measured building dataThe UK Warm Homes Plan and retrofit fundingFabric first versus technology first retrofitOpportunities for surveyors in retrofit workThe RICS retrofit surveyor pathwayAssessing renewable technologies in homesWhy healthy homes and ventilation matterGuest Links Richard Fitton on LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-fitton-a668a822b Useful Links RICS Guidance on Retrofit - https://www.rics.org/consumer-guides/retrofitting-improving-energy-efficiency-home Energy House - https://energyhouselabs.salford.ac.uk/ Warm Homes Plan - https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/warm-homes-plan Guest Bio Professor Richard Fitton is a Chartered Building Surveyor, Fellow of the RICS, and Professor of Building Physics at the University of Salford. He is the Technical Director of Energy House 2.0. This unique global research facility enables the construction of full homes within climate-controlled chambers to test real building performance under simulated weather conditions. Richard’s research focuses on building performance, retrofit, energy efficiency, and housing sustainability. His work is influencing major UK housing policy and helping shape the design of new homes and retrofit strategies nationwide. Alongside his research, Richard continues to engage with industry and surveying practice. He is also a member of the UK Fuel Poverty Committee, advising the government on policies to reduce fuel poverty and improve housing conditions. If you want to connect with surveyors across the UK and keep up with the profession, join The Surveying Room. It is free to join and open to all types of surveyors, students, and professionals who work with them. Surveyors UK & The Surveying Room   Connect with me - Nina Young on LinkedIn

    49 min
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About

🎧 This Is Surveying Because surveying matters, and so do the people behind it. This Is Surveying lifts the lid on the real world of surveying, the highs, the hurdles, the geeky details (yes, even AI and emerging tech), and the humans driving it all. We go beyond the stereotypes to explore how surveyors shape both the built and natural environment. You’ll hear honest, down-to-earth conversations about work, business, and life, from seasoned professionals to those just starting out, plus fresh perspectives from guests outside the profession who bring valuable insight into leadership, innovation, and change. Powered by Surveyors UK, the independent platform connecting and promoting the profession, and The Surveying Room, its free online community bringing surveyors together, breaking down silos, and making surveying visible. If you’re a surveyor, a future surveyor, or simply curious about this brilliant and often overlooked profession, you’re in the right place. Hosted by Nina Young, Founder of Surveyors UK. Visit www.surveyors-uk.com to join The Surveying Room and learn more. We are also on YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/@SurveyorsUK

Information

  • Creator
    Nina Young - Surveyors UK
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    29
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 This is Surveying
  • Show Website
    This is Surveying

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