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. 4d ago

    Surveying Careers: Why We Need to Talk to Parents

    Annabel Huffer, Associate Chartered Building Surveyor at Knight Frank and RICS Matrics UK Chair, says there are not enough surveying apprenticeships to meet demand from young people. In her experience, apprentices need real time and commitment from an employer, and many small firms do not know about the government grants that could help them take one on. Taking on a surveying apprentice is a big commitment for any firm, and in this episode I spoke to Annabel Huffer, Associate Chartered Building Surveyor at Knight Frank and RICS Matrics UK Chair, about why there are not enough places to meet demand. Annabel qualified through the apprenticeship route herself. When her team advertised its first apprenticeship this year, she says the number of applications for one role was "absolutely outstanding". Annabel is open about the cost to employers. Apprentices take time, commitment and knowledge sharing, so many firms can only take one on. She says government grants are available depending on the type of apprentice, but small firms often do not know about them or find them hard to work out. We also talk about RICS Matrics and why early-career staff who volunteer need their employer's support, the gender balance Annabel has seen in building surveying, and why the profession needs to reach parents and careers advisers as well as young people. What we cover: How a day of work experience at 16 led Annabel into building surveyingContract administration, dilapidations and the legal side of the roleWhy the apprenticeship route suited her better than universityThe response to her team's first apprenticeship advertWhy apprentices take time and commitment from an employerGovernment grants and why small firms often miss themWhat RICS Matrics is and who it is forWhy early-career volunteers need their employer's supportNetworking in small firms and relationships that last 15 yearsWomen in building surveying and reaching parents and careers advisersChapters: 00:00 Introduction 01:26 From work experience to building surveying 03:56 Contract administration, dilapidations and liability 07:08 Why the apprenticeship route worked for Annabel 12:27 Demand for apprenticeships and the shortage of places 14:29 Government grants and small firms 15:27 Becoming RICS Matrics UK Chair 18:04 What Matrics is and who it is for 24:04 Networking and long-term relationships 28:43 Women in building surveying 31:07 Reaching young people, parents and careers advisers 37:47 Giving back and final thoughts Full show notes, links and transcript: https://www.surveyors-uk.com/articles/podcasts/taking-on-a-surveying-apprentice/ Guest links: Annabel Huffer on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annabel-huffer-bsc-hons-mrics-hon-afube-548795158 RICS Matrics: https://www.rics.org/get-involved/matrics RICS announcement, Meet the new Matrics UK Chair: https://www.rics.org/news-insights/meet-the-new-matrics-uk-chair-annabel-huffer-mrics Knight Frank: https://www.knightfrank.co.uk 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

  2. Oct 20

    The RICS President on How to Get More People into Surveying

    What is the biggest problem facing surveying right now? It might not be AI. It might be the fact that there simply won’t be enough surveyors to do the work. Nick Maclean, the 144th President of RICS, joins Nina Young for a candid conversation about the future of the profession, from an ageing workforce and falling graduate numbers to AI, professional judgement and how we train the next generation. If AI takes over the routine work, how do young surveyors build the judgement that only comes with experience? From education and career pathways to international mobility and the changing role of RICS, Nick shares what needs to change if surveying is going to remain relevant, trusted and ready for what comes next. What We Cover Nick's Royal Navy background and his interest in hydrographyThe role of hydrographic surveying in the future of the professionEducation, influence and confidence as priorities for RICSThe ageing workforce and the surveying skills gapWhy attracting graduates is becoming more challengingNew RICS pathways and the importance of lifelong learningBringing career changers and people with practical experience into surveyingAI and anxiety about the future of surveying jobsWhy professional judgement remains so importantHow young surveyors can develop judgement in an AI-enabled professionThe RICS AI standard and professional ethicsWho carries responsibility when professionals use AIInternational mobility and recognition of RICS qualificationsMaking chartership more tangible for membersDiversity and removing barriers to entering surveyingThe future direction of RICS Guest Links Nick Maclean - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicholas-maclean-obe-rd-frics-irrv-hons-17825a19/RICS - https://www.rics.org/ Guest Bio  Nick Maclean is the 144th President of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors. Before taking on the presidency, he spent 37 years at CBRE, where he founded the firm's Middle East business in 2004 from a single Dubai office and helped grow it into a regional operation across six markets. He left CBRE at the end of 2024 to concentrate on his RICS presidency. Nick is Scottish, a Fellow of RICS and the Scottish Government's Trade Envoy to the UAE. He also served in the Royal Navy and spent around 18 years as a Royal Navy reservist, which developed his long-standing interest in hydrography. He was awarded an OBE in 2024 for services to trade and bilateral relations. 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

  3. Oct 13

    The Complaint That Writes Itself

    Sign up to AI in Surveying newsletter I share an honest solo update on what I'm seeing across UK surveying as AI adoption accelerates and the RICS AI standard lands in practice. I dig into the real world impact on enquiries, complaints, risk, and how Surveyors UK is building tools and community support to help surveyors respond with confidence.  • why AI attention spikes this year across surveying and the built environment  • what the RICS AI standard means for everyday practice and evidence  • the rise in long pre instruction queries and the admin burden on SMEs  • clients uploading survey reports into chatbots and the knock on effect on complaints  • a practical approach to de escalating complaints by speaking to clients  • what AI agents are, how they differ from chatbots, and why permissions matter  • shadow AI risks when staff use free tools or vendor software includes AI features  • why claims may follow complaints and why you cannot fix records retrospectively  • how Surveyors UK firm memberships work, including the referral network and directory  • podcast growth, sponsorship options, and how reviews help the show reach more people  • why we care about the profession and how surveyors can be ambassadors  If you enjoy the podcast, could you please provide me some form of review? The easiest thing is just to send me a message on LinkedIn, let me know what you'd like to say about the podcast, if you're happy for me to share it, or send me an email - nina@surveyors-uk.com 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

  4. Oct 6

    Can AI Take the Repetitive Work Out of Quantity Surveying?

    Ever thought, “Can’t AI just do this bit for me?” In this episode of This Is Surveying, Nina Young talks to Will Doyle, former quantity surveyor and founder of Gather, about AI, automation and the changing role of the QS. Will shares how a site manager used AI to make sense of months of project information in just a few clicks, while they explore poor site records, AI “slop”, professional judgement and why surveyors still need to understand the fundamentals. If AI takes away more of the repetitive work, what happens to the experience surveyors need to build? What We Cover Will's route into quantity surveyingHis accidental career in rail with Balfour BeattyHow the QS role has changedAI and automation in quantity surveyingThe risks of relying on AI without experienceProfessional judgement and the "judgement paradox"Why human skills still matterThe story behind GatherWhy good records matter when projects go wrongKnowledge, culture and disciplineAI, data and construction project managementThe future of work in surveying and construction Guest Links  Will Doyle - https://www.linkedin.com/in/william-doyle-gather/  Gather -  https://www.gatherinsights.com/ Useful Links  The AI QS Newsletter - https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/the-ai-qs-7354050754480906242/ Guest Bio  Will Doyle is a former quantity surveyor and the founder of Gather, a platform focused on helping construction and infrastructure teams capture better project records. Will began his career in rail after studying quantity surveying at Loughborough, working across the UK and internationally before moving into technology and founding Gather. Today, Gather works with organisations across infrastructure, including nuclear, rail, highways, energy and utilities, with thousands of projects using the platform. Will also writes and speaks regularly about AI, quantity surveying, construction technology and how the profession is changing. 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

  5. Sep 29

    Aphantasia, Adversity, and AI: The Surveyor Who Thinks Differently

    This episode includes discussion of suicide and difficult experiences from Dan's childhood. Please take care while listening, particularly if these subjects may be difficult for you. What happens when a difficult past becomes part of what makes you better at surveying? Dan Knowles, founder and managing director of Websters Surveyors, shares the very unconventional path that brought him into surveying, from growing up in difficult circumstances and experiencing homelessness to building a growing residential surveying firm. He also opens up about aphantasia, the way it shapes how he thinks and works, and why he sees it as a “secret power”. We then get into AI, automation and the future of surveying, including how Websters is using technology to cut repetitive admin while keeping professional judgement firmly in the hands of surveyors. A very honest conversation about resilience, surveying, AI and building a firm without losing sight of quality. What We Cover Dan's route from a law degree into surveyingHis move from commercial to residential surveyingThe human side of residential property workChildhood, homelessness and resilienceAphantasia and how it affects memory and visualisationDesigning information around the client journeyAI and automation within a surveying firmAPIs, desktop research and property dataThe limits of AI when assessing property defectsAI-generated questions from clientsHow people are increasingly using AI to find surveyorsRecruitment, training and building a strong surveying culture Guest Links Dan Knowles - https://www.linkedin.com/in/dan-knowles-frics-821bbb22/Websters Surveyors - https://websterssurveyors.co.uk/ Useful Links Samaritans - https://www.samaritans.org/ Guest Bio Dan Knowles is the founder and managing director of Websters Surveyors. He is a chartered surveyor, RICS registered valuer and RICS expert panel member, with a career spanning commercial and residential surveying. After initially qualifying as a commercial surveyor, Dan moved into residential surveying and has since built Websters Surveyors into a growing firm working across residential surveys, valuations, leasehold reform and compulsory purchase work. He is particularly interested in technology and innovation, and has developed a range of AI and automation tools within the business to reduce repetitive administration and improve the client journey. Dan is also passionate about training, company culture and maintaining quality as the firm grows. 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

  6. Sep 22

    Why Residential Surveying Carries the Highest Duty of Care

    Get it wrong on someone's home, and there's no cheque big enough to fix it. That's the highest duty of care in the profession, says Richard Ballam, a chartered surveyor and owner of Rickards Oliver in Manchester. He talks Nina Young through his own unlikely route into surveying, a failed career in chemistry, a life-changing fall from a ladder, and a mortgage report that worked out at £400 a word. The conversation also covers the realities of running an independent firm, the corporate versus independent debate, and where AI fits into report writing today. Richard opens up on the human side of the job too, from difficult repossessions to sitting with clients over a cup of tea, and why he believes the next generation of surveyors are just as sharp as ever. What We Cover From chemistry and a PhD to becoming a chartered surveyorDiscovering surveying through mortgage valuation reportsStarting and running an independent surveying firmThe difference between corporate and independent surveyingTraining, mentoring and learning from other surveyorsAI and the changing way clients read and analyse survey reportsUsing AI to support site note collectionThe importance of professional judgement and accountabilityRemote working and the loss of informal knowledge sharingThe future of residential surveying and diversity in the professionManchester, regional development and the RICS North West BoardTechnology and what’s exciting in surveying Guest Links Richard Ballam - ttps://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-ballam-frics/Rickards Oliver -https://rosurveyors.co.uk/ Useful Links RICS North West Board: https://www.rics.org/about-rics/where-we-are/uk-and-ireland/rics-in-north-westRICS and Alliance Manchester Business School Launch - https://www.rics.org/training-events/networking-events/rics-north-west-and-alliance-manchester-business-school-partnership-launch Guest Bio Richard Ballam is a chartered surveyor and valuer and the owner and director of Rickards Oliver, an independent surveying firm based in Manchester covering primarily the North West. Richard has worked across both corporate and independent surveying and brings more than 25 years of experience to his work. His background is unusual, having originally studied chemistry and started a PhD before moving into surveying. He is also involved with the RICS North West Board, where he is focused on reconnecting with local membership, CPD and links with the wider business and academic community. His interests include residential surveying, professional practice, technology and the practical use of AI and drones within 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

  7. Sep 15

    The Residential Surveyor Is Dead. Long Live the Residential Surveyor. Part 2

    This episode is sponsored by Rebuild Cost UK, specialists in reinstatement cost assessments for RICS-compliant reporting. Find out more at https://rebuildcost.uk/ When a profession starts turning on itself, what does it take to rebuild trust, strengthen standards and shape a better future? This is the second part of Nina Young’s conversation with chartered surveyor and Westmarq technical manager Jony Milner. They tackle some uncomfortable questions about social media, criticism, competency and professional credentials, as well as whether greater collaboration could help move the industry forward. Nina and Jony also explore independent versus corporate surveying, templates and AI, the Home Survey Standard V2, seller surveys, chartered status, professional identity and diversity. What We Cover Toxic culture, social media and the Alan Pattner EffectWhy surveyors are so quick to criticise each otherDisciplinary cases, outrage and the importance of due processIndependent vs corporate surveyorsWhy local authority surveying deserves more attentionDoes more property exposure mean more experience?Templates, AI and territorial turf warsWhy surveying needs more collaborationHome Survey Standard V2: what is the holdup?Will seller surveys actually happen?FRICS, chartered status and protecting professional valueCompetence, experience and the value of professional credentialsDiversity, visibility and the future of surveying This is the continuation of the conversation from Part 1. If you haven't watched Part 1 yet, go back and start there for the discussion on AI, the future of residential surveying, changing survey reports and whether technology could eventually transform the role of the surveyor. Guest Links Jony Milner: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jony-m-b225b146/Legal & General Surveying Services: https://www.legalandgeneral.com/surveying-services/ Useful Links RICS: https://www.rics.org/CABE: https://cbuilde.com/RPSA: https://www.rpsa.org.uk/CIOB: https://www.ciob.org/Alan Pattner: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alan-pattner-856564423/ Guest Bio  Jony Milner is a chartered surveyor, residential surveyor and valuer, and technical manager at Legal & General Surveying Services. He has worked in and around surveying for nearly 30 years, with experience across corporate surveying, private practice, local authorities and panel management. His career spans residential surveying and valuation, building surveying, retrofit work, risk management and professional standards. Jony is particularly interested in how the profession can adapt to technological change, improve collaboration, and think differently about the future of 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

  8. Sep 8

    The Residential Surveyor Is Dead. Long Live the Residential Surveyor. Part 1

    This episode is sponsored by Rebuild Cost UK, specialists in reinstatement cost assessments for RICS-compliant reporting. Find out more at https://rebuildcost.uk/ What happens when we stop asking how AI can make surveying quicker and start asking whether residential surveying needs to be reinvented altogether? Nina Young talks to chartered surveyor and Westmarq technical manager Jony Milner about AI, the future of residential surveying, professional bodies, and industry culture. In Part 1, the conversation focuses on the future of residential surveying and what AI could mean for the profession. Is the residential surveyor really dying? Could AI eventually become better than the human surveyor? And could a typical three-bedroom semi eventually survey itself? Nina and Jony also explore whether the traditional survey report needs to be rethought, whether property surveys could become living digital records, whether surveyors could become the human interface for AI, and what surveying can learn from other industries. What We Cover Meet Jony Milner and his route into surveyingWhy surveying needs more voicesFrom aspiring film director to residential surveyorIs the residential surveyor really dying?AI, productivity and the future of surveyingCould seller surveys help tackle the skills shortage?Why the survey report may need to changeCould property surveys become living digital records?Will surveyors become the human interface for AI?Who takes responsibility when AI does the work?Could AI become better than the human surveyor?Could a house eventually survey itself?What surveying can learn from other industries This is Part 1 of a two-part conversation. Stay tuned for Part 2, where Nina and Jony explore toxic culture, social media, professional bodies, collaboration, competency, chartered status and the future of the profession. Guest Links Jony Milner: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jony-m-b225b146/Legal & General Surveying Services: https://www.legalandgeneral.com/surveying-services/ Useful Links RICS: https://www.rics.org/CABE: https://cbuilde.com/RPSA: https://www.rpsa.org.uk/CIOB: https://www.ciob.org/ Guest Bio Jony Milner is a chartered surveyor, residential surveyor and valuer, and technical manager at Legal & General Surveying Services. He has worked in and around surveying for nearly 30 years, with experience across corporate surveying, private practice, local authorities and panel management. His career spans residential surveying and valuation, building surveying, retrofit work, risk management and professional standards. Jony is particularly interested in how the profession can adapt to technological change, improve collaboration, and think differently about the future of 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

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🎧 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
    42
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 This is Surveying
  • Show Website
    This is Surveying

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