This is Surveying

Nina Young - Surveyors UK
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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

  1. 5d ago

    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

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. 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

  5. Aug 4

    How AI Is Making Claims Easier Against Surveyors

    This episode is sponsored by Rebuild Cost UK, specialists in reinstatement cost assessments for RICS-compliant reporting. Find out more at https://rebuildcost.uk/ Artificial intelligence is changing the surveying profession, but what does it mean for professional indemnity insurance and risk?  In this episode, Nina Young speaks with Nick Rains from Howden Insurance Brokers about how AI is reshaping the insurance landscape. They discuss how AI is making it easier for complaints and formal claims to be generated, along with the importance of AI governance, professional indemnity insurance, and clear policies as AI becomes part of everyday practice.  This conversation offers practical insights to help surveyors and firms understand the risks, opportunities, and responsibilities that come with adopting AI. What We Cover  Professional indemnity insurance explainedAI-generated complaints and claimsWhy surveyors are seeing more client queriesHow insurers assess AI riskAI governance and complianceShadow AI within surveying firmsGraduate skills and future recruitmentAI as a quality checking toolRisk management and record keepingThe future of AI within surveying Guest Links Howden Insurance Brokers – https://www.howdengroup.com/uk-en Guest Bio  Nick Rains is Senior Contract and Wordings Executive at Howden Insurance Brokers. He advises surveyors, architects, engineers and other construction professionals on professional indemnity insurance, contractual risk and policy wordings. Alongside his insurance expertise, Nick has developed a strong interest in artificial intelligence and its impact on professional practice, governance and risk management across the built environment. 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. Jul 28

    92% of Buildings Are Overheating: Here's What Surveyors Can Do

    Conservation and sustainability aren't opposites. They're two sides of the same coin.  Dr Samantha Organ, associate professor at the University of the West of England and a building surveyor working across heritage, sustainability and consultancy, joins Nina Young to explain why.  This conversation explores climate resilience and the future of historic buildings. It also touches on the graduate shortage reshaping surveying salaries, why she stays in both academia and practice, and where AI quietly undermines the critical thinking the job depends on.  What We Cover  Samantha's journey into surveying Women in the profession Academia and industry working together Heritage and conservation projects National Trust experiences Climate resilience and overheating Sustainable buildings and retrofit AI and critical thinking Graduate shortages Why building surveying offers incredible variety Guest Links  Dr Samantha Organ: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-samantha-organ-frics-amice-44246b16/ SO Associates: https://www.so-associates.co.uk/ Useful Links  University of the West of England: https://www.uwe.ac.uk/ How to Close the Authority Gap | Mary Ann Sieghart: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJcYAqNfgtA Guest Bio  Dr Samantha Organ is an Associate Professor at the University of the West of England and a chartered building surveyor with extensive experience across heritage conservation, sustainability, research and professional practice. Her career has included senior roles within the National Trust, private consultancy and academia, where she combines practical surveying with teaching and research. Samantha is passionate about climate resilience, historic buildings, developing future surveyors and helping the profession prepare for the challenges facing the built environment. 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. Jul 14

    Your Surveying Career Needs a Strategy, Not Just a CV

    Recruitment isn't just about finding the next job. Roger Dunning has spent 24 years placing surveyors, and he's noticed the same pattern every time. The ones who get furthest aren't chasing the next job, they're building what he calls "career capital." In this episode, Nina Young talks to Roger, founder of HD Surveyors, about why broad experience beats early specialism, why chartership is a non-negotiable badge to employers, and why Roger sees the best recruiters as career advisers, not CV distributors. A grounded, practical look at building a surveying career on purpose. What We Cover Roger's recruitment journeyCareer strategy versus job hoppingWhy breadth of experience creates opportunityCandidate-led recruitment in surveyingCommunication skills that employers valueGraduate recruitment and first impressionsAI and recruitmentChartership and APC supportCareer capital and long-term planningWhat good recruiters really do Guest Links  Roger Dunning: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/rogerdunning  HD Surveyors: https://hdsurveyors.com/ Useful Links  Salary & Career Satisfaction Survey: https://survey.hdsurveyors.com/2026-salary-survey Guest Bio  Roger Dunning is the founder of HD Surveyors and has worked in recruitment for more than 24 years. He specialises in recruiting building surveyors, quantity surveyors and project managers across the UK. Throughout his career he has helped hundreds of professionals build successful careers by focusing on long-term strategy rather than short-term job moves. Roger is passionate about career development, chartership, mentoring and helping surveyors make informed decisions that increase their long-term value in the 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

  8. Jun 30

    Why Residential Surveyors Need to Know What They’re Walking Into

    This episode is sponsored by Rebuild Cost UK, specialists in reinstatement cost assessments for RICS-compliant reporting. Find out more at https://rebuildcost.uk/ Rebecca Freeman nearly became a lawyer. A clearing phone call changed that, and she ended up in residential surveying instead. It turned out to be exactly the right fit. She built a career that now sits at senior leadership and risk at Legal & General Surveying Services. But the most important parts of that journey aren't on the CV. In this episode, Nina talks to Rebecca about what residential surveying is really like to do. You're going into people's homes, often alone, navigating situations that no training manual fully prepares you for. She speaks openly about lone working, personal safety, and why the profession needs to take both more seriously. She also talks about emotional intelligence as a practical skill, not a soft one, and what it actually takes to do this job well over a long career. This is the kind of conversation the profession needs more of. What We Cover How a clearing phone call led Rebecca into surveying instead of lawWhy residential surveying suited her from the startStarting out at Countrywide and learning the job in BathMentorship, MRICS and building a long-term career in the professionHow the 2008 crash reshaped day-to-day working lifeThe shift from paper to digital and early surveying technologyWhat residential surveying reveals about people and how they liveLone working, personal safety and the support surveyors actually needEmotional intelligence and handling difficult situations on siteWhat AI and technology might change, and what will always need a human Guest Links Rebecca Freeman: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-freeman-frics-98312019/ Legal & General Surveying Services: https://www.legalandgeneral.com/surveying-services/ Women in Residential Surveying: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/13733915/ Useful Links LionHeart: https://www.lionheart.org.uk/ Guest Bio Rebecca Freeman is a residential surveying leader with more than 20 years’ experience in the profession. She is Risk Director at Legal & General Surveying Services and previously spent 22 years with Countrywide Surveying Services, building her career from graduate surveyor through to senior leadership. Rebecca is also the founder of Women in Residential Surveying, where she has been championing better support, visibility and practical conversations around the realities of working in the profession. Her background spans residential valuation, surveying operations, risk, training and professional development, with a particular interest in lone working, resilience and the future of residential 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
    38
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 This is Surveying
  • Show Website
    This is Surveying

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