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. 3D AGO

    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

  2. APR 28

    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

  3. APR 21

    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

  4. APR 14

    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

  5. APR 7

    Marine Surveying Explained with David Pestridge

    Send us Fan Mail Summary Marine surveying is a fascinating part of the surveying profession that many people never hear about. In this episode, Nina Young speaks with David Pestridge, marine surveyor and owner of White Hat Marine Surveying. David shares what life is really like inspecting yachts, narrowboats, and barges across the UK. From pre-purchase inspections to identifying serious structural defects, David explains the realities of marine surveying and how the role shares many similarities with property surveying. They also discuss the importance of inspection routines, report writing, communication skills, and professional judgement. Along the way, David shares some memorable stories from the field and explains why he is passionate about helping people understand boats and the marine surveying profession. What We Cover David’s journey from army engineer to marine surveyorWhat marine surveyors inspect on boats and yachtsThe process of a pre-purchase boat surveyWhy routine and consistency matter in inspectionsCommon defects include corrosion and fatigueWriting clear and defensible survey reportsManaging difficult conversations with clients and sellersThe realities of working outdoors and travelling for surveysAdvice for people interested in marine surveying careersEducating boat buyers through guides and YouTube Guest Links David Pestridge LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidpestridge Useful Links International Institute of Marine Surveying (IIMS) - https://www.iims.org.ukFree ebook: How to Buy Your First Boat https://boatchat.beehiiv.com/products/how-to-buy-your-first-boat Guest Bio David Pestridge is a marine surveyor and the owner of White Hat Marine Surveying. He specialises in surveys of yachts, motorboats, narrowboats, and barges across the UK. Before becoming a surveyor, David served for 17 years in the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers as an engineering officer. After leaving the army in 2008, he retrained as a marine surveyor and has since built a successful practice inspecting boats for buyers, owners, and insurers. David is also Deputy Vice President of the International Institute of Marine Surveyors and is passionate about improving standards across the profession. Through his writing, YouTube channel, and educational resources, he helps boat owners and aspiring surveyors better understand marine surveying and boat inspection. 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

    34 min

  6. MAR 31

    AI, Surveying, and the New RICS Standard with Christopher De Gruben

    Send us Fan Mail Summary Artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming the property industry. In this episode of This Is Surveying, Nina Young speaks with Christopher De Gruben, chartered surveyor and Head of AI and Property at Artefact. Chris works at the forefront of AI adoption in real estate, helping major property owners and investors implement data and AI strategies across Europe and the Middle East. They explore what AI actually means for surveyors, where the real opportunities are, and why parts of the surveying profession may face major disruption. Chris also shares insights from co-chairing the working group behind the new RICS Responsible Use of AI standard. The discussion covers disclosure, materiality, and how surveyors can safely integrate AI into their workflows. The episode also tackles the debate around AI and the APC process, and why discouraging candidates from using AI may risk pushing the next generation away from the profession. If you want to understand how AI is reshaping surveying, property valuation, and the built environment, this is a conversation you do not want to miss. What We Cover Chris’s international career and how he moved into AI and propertyReal-world examples of AI being used in property companies todayThe difference between AI assistants and AI analystsOver 300 potential AI use cases in property businessesThe RICS Responsible Use of AI standardUnderstanding materiality when using AI in surveying workWhy AI should not replace the surveyor’s professional judgementConcerns about AI restrictions for APC candidatesThe impact of AI on junior roles and surveying careersHow the UK property industry compares to Saudi ArabiaGuest Links Christopher De Gruben on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/degruben Useful Links Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) – https://www.rics.org Surveyors UK – https://www.surveyors-uk.com Guest Bio Christopher De Gruben is a chartered surveyor and Senior Director and Head of AI and Property at Artefact. He advises major property investors and developers across Europe and the Middle East on large-scale data and artificial intelligence programmes. His work focuses on modernising property operating models and embedding AI into real estate businesses in practical ways. Chris also plays an active role in shaping the surveying profession. He serves as Vice Chair of the RICS Professional Group Panel Board and co-chaired the working group responsible for the new RICS Responsible Use of AI standard. He is also co-authoring new guidance on AI in valuation. 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

    57 min
  7. Jordan Turner on EPC Reform, Sustainability and Educating the Next Generation of Surveyors

    MAR 24

    Jordan Turner on EPC Reform, Sustainability and Educating the Next Generation of Surveyors

    Send us Fan Mail Summary In this episode of This Is Surveying, Nina Young speaks with Jordan Turner, senior lecturer at the University of the Built Environment. Jordan shares his career journey from residential property to commercial surveying and academia, and explains why sustainability and EPC reform are central to the profession's future. They also explore skills shortages, education pathways, and the need to make surveying more visible to young people.    What We Cover Career journey from residential agency into commercial estate managementWhy industry experience strengthens surveying educationEPC reform challenges and inconsistenciesRetrofit pressures and Minimum Energy Efficiency StandardsBehavioural impacts and policy gapsHome buying reform and upfront informationSkills shortages and attracting new surveyorsResidential surveying education pathwaysKnowledge transfer from experienced professionalsCollaboration across the surveying professionGuest Links Jordan Turner LinkedIn – linkedin.com/in/jordan-turner-50748a17b Useful Links University of the Built Environment – https://www.ube.ac.uk Guest Bio Jordan Turner is a senior lecturer at the University of the Built Environment with a professional background spanning residential property, estate agency, property management, and commercial estate management. He is currently undertaking a PhD focused on sustainability and energy performance in the built environment. Jordan is passionate about improving EPC frameworks, strengthening educational pathways, and bridging the gap between academic theory and real-world 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

    55 min

  8. MAR 17

    Elliot Goulding on QS Recruitment, AI in Construction and the Future of Hiring

    Send us Fan Mail Summary In this episode of This Is Surveying, I’m joined by Elliot Goulding, QS recruiter and Director of ProBuild Recruitment. We talk about the current state of quantity surveying recruitment in the UK, why flexibility matters more than ever, and how AI is already reshaping construction businesses. If you’re a quantity surveyor, a hiring manager, or a student looking to enter the profession, this conversation will give you practical insight into what is happening right now and what could be coming next. What We Cover Why QSs are one of the hardest roles to recruit in constructionThe shift towards freelance and flexible workingHow employers can retain commercial teamsThe risk of a mid-level skills gapAI in surveying and constructionUsing automation to improve efficiencyHard Hat AI and digital transformation in constructionThe impact of regulation and Gateway delaysMarket outlook for 2026Guest Links Elliot Goulding – LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elliotgoulding/ ProBuild Recruitment: https://probuildrec.com/ Useful Links Hard Hat AI: https://hardhatai159.com/ Guest Bio Elliot Goulding is a specialist QS recruiter and Director of ProBuild Recruitment. With over 16 years in construction recruitment, Elliot works closely with main contractors and subcontractors across the UK, focusing on quantity surveying and commercial management roles from graduate to director level. He launched ProBuild Recruitment just before COVID and has since built a reputation for strategic hiring advice, market insight, and long term partnerships with construction businesses. He is also the founder of Hard Hat AI, a service helping construction firms use AI and automation to improve efficiency and stay competitive. 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

    36 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
    25
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 This is Surveying
  • Show Website
    This is Surveying

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