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. 3D AGO

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

    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

  2. MAR 10

    AI, Strategy and the Future of Construction and Surveying with Suzanne Hill

    Summary Suzanne Hill, business strategist for AI and founder of AI for SMEs, joins me to talk about AI at a strategic level. We look beyond shiny tools and explore how AI will change business models, client expectations, and the future of surveying and construction firms. What we cover Suzanne’s journey from construction into AIWhy AI is 80 percent strategy and peopleThe risks of jumping into tools without directionData ownership and client behaviourHow AI could disrupt traditional surveying and construction rolesWhat firms need to be thinking about nowGuest links Suzanne Hill on LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/suzannehill1/Useful links UCD (University College Dublin) – https://www.ucd.ie/Guest Bio Suzanne Hill is a business strategist specialising in AI and the construction sector. She is the founder of AI for SMEs and has over two decades of experience working with construction companies across the UK, Ireland, and internationally. With a background in construction and strategy consultancy, Suzanne helps businesses understand how AI will impact their business models, revenue streams, and long-term competitiveness. She is also a keynote speaker and advisor to senior leadership teams navigating digital transformation. 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. MAR 3

    From the Trades to Chartered Building Surveyor with Lewis Denbow

    Summary Lewis Denbow, chartered building surveyor at Harris Associates, joins me to share his journey from an electrical apprenticeship into building surveying. We talk about apprenticeships, the APC, communication skills, and why the trades could play a huge role in solving the surveying skills shortage. What we cover An unorthodox route into building surveyingDegree apprenticeships and accessibilityLessons from the tradesCommunication and client relationshipsProject management and stakeholder managementAdvice for those starting out in surveyingGuest links Lewis Denbow on LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/lewisdenbow/Harris Associates – https://www.harrisassociatesuk.com/Useful links Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) – https://www.rics.org/Guest Bio Lewis Denbow is a chartered building surveyor at Harris Associates, a national award-winning built environment consultancy. He entered the profession through an unconventional route, starting in the electrical trade before completing a degree apprenticeship and achieving chartership. Lewis now works across building surveying and project management, with a strong focus on communication, stakeholder management, and practical problem-solving. 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

    26 min

  4. FEB 24

    Inside Party Wall Surveying with Sarah Tanner

    Summary Sarah Tanner, associate director at Stanley and Strong, joins me to talk all things party wall surveying. From her unconventional career journey to the realities of fees, disputes, and neighbour relations, this episode lifts the lid on one of the most misunderstood areas of surveying. What we cover How Sarah became a party wall surveyorWhat triggers the Party Wall ActConsent, dissent, and what they really meanParty wall fees and what “reasonable” looks likeCommunication, conflict, and emotional intelligenceWomen in party wall surveyingAdvice for homeowners and surveyorsGuest links Sarah Tanner on LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-tanner-40a57976/Stanley and Strong – https://stanleystrong.co.uk/Useful links SurvPal software https://survpal.co.uk/Party Wall Surveying – https://fpws.org.uk/Guest Bio Sarah Tanner is an associate director at Stanley and Strong, a specialist firm of party wall surveyors. With over a decade of experience in party wall matters, Sarah entered the profession through an unconventional route, progressing from PA to surveyor with the support of strong mentorship. She is known for her practical approach, firm views on fair fees, and her emphasis on communication and collaboration in resolving disputes. 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

    51 min

  5. FEB 17

    Rosie Wills on Residential Surveying and Rethinking Estate Agent Relationships

    Summary In this episode of This Is Surveying, Nina Young speaks with Rosie Wills, a chartered construction manager and ASSOC RICS surveyor based in North Devon. Rosie shares her journey from over ten years in social housing into private residential surveying. We discuss damp and mould, peer review, Level 2 surveys, estate agent relationships, vendor surveys, pricing transparency, and why collaboration matters across the UK surveying profession. This is a practical conversation about raising standards, reducing complaints, and building trust in residential surveying. What We Cover Rosie’s route into surveying and chartered construction managementDamp and mould expertise and building pathologyThe transition from housing to private practicePeer review between surveyorsUnderstanding the RICS Home Survey StandardWorking constructively with estate agentsVendor surveys and pre-sale strategiesTransparent pricing and website improvementsComplaints handling and professional riskCollaboration across UK surveyorsGuest Links Rosie Wills LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/rosie-e-wills/ Nova Surveyors – https://novasurveyors.co.uk Useful Links Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) – https://www.rics.org/ Guest Bio Rosie Wills is a chartered construction manager and Assoc RICS surveyor based in North Devon. She spent over ten years working in social housing, developing specialist expertise in damp and mould and building pathology. Rosie now works in private practice delivering residential property surveys, including Level 2 and Level 3 home surveys, alongside specialist defect investigations. She is passionate about collaboration, peer review, professional standards, and improving trust in 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

    47 min

  6. FEB 10

    Rachel Saint on APC Pathways, Senior Professional Route and Support for Surveyors

    Summary In this episode I’m joined by commercial property surveyor and Property Elite co-founder Rachel Saint. We talk about APC pathways, the Senior Professional route, and why structured support matters so much for UK surveyors at every stage. Rachel shares how she went from secretary to chartered surveyor, built a career in landlord and tenant and retail consultancy, and then pivoted into training surveyors across a huge range of pathways. We dig into the reality of the RICS APC, how to choose the right route for you, and what good mentoring and counselling actually looks like in practice. What we cover Rachel’s unconventional route into surveying and early years in residential block managementMoving into commercial property, retail consultancy and mixed use developmentSetting up Property Elite and the surge in demand for support during COVIDHow diverse the surveying profession really is, and why that makes APC complexChoosing the right APC pathway and competencies for your actual workThe role and challenges of APC counsellors and supervisorsWhy structured support is harder in smaller or non-surveying organisationsThe three alternative RICS routes, including Senior Professional, and who they suitSenior Professional interviews, leadership and management-focused competenciesWhy valuation is both science and art, and why you still need to get out and see propertyMarket myths about people “giving up” on APC, and why the picture is more nuancedFree resources and newsletters from Property Elite for APC candidatesGuest links Property Elite website: https://www.property-elite.co.uk/Rachel Saint on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-saint-1103b09/Useful links LionHeart charity for surveyors: https://www.lionheart.org.uk/Guest bio Rachel Saint is a chartered commercial property surveyor with over 30 years of experience across landlord and tenant, retail agency, and retail and mixed use development. She started her career in residential block management before moving into commercial work, advising on shops, supermarkets and wider retail strategy. Rachel is the co-founder and owner of Property Elite, a specialist training and mentoring business that supports surveyors through RICS routes to qualification, including APC, Associate and Senior Professional routes. She now spends most of her time helping UK and international surveyors navigate pathways, competencies and assessments, and is particularly passionate about making the process accessible for candidates who do not have structured in-house support. 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

  7. FEB 3

    AI, Leases and Small Business Power in Commercial Surveying

    In this episode I am joined by Ola Alade, a chartered commercial surveyor and RICS Matrics Commercial Property Surveyor of the Year 2025. Ola shares how he went from biomedical science to commercial property, and why he has chosen to focus his work on helping small businesses understand and negotiate their commercial leases. We talk about AI in surveying, from the reality on the ground in property firms to the tools that are already saving time for small practices. We also get into access, diversity and retention in the surveying profession, and Ola’s work as an APC counsellor, assessor and chair. What We Cover From biomedical science to commercial surveyingDiscovering property via CoStar and NHS Property ServicesWorking at The Arch Company and negotiating directly with small business tenantsWhy Ola founded Olawill and chose to sit on the tenant sideHow commercial leases and rent reviews really affect SMEsWhere AI tools actually help surveyors and small businesses todayData, hallucinations and negligence risks in AI-assisted professional practiceWhy the word “surveyor” confuses people and how that affects recruitmentDiversity, progression and the reality of representation in senior rolesMaking the APC interview process fairer as a counsellor, assessor and chairGuest Links Olawill – Lease advisory for SMEsConnect with Ola on LinkedInGuest Bio Ola Olade is a chartered commercial surveyor and founder of Olawill, a lease advisory practice focused on supporting small and medium-sized businesses. After an early academic path in biomedical science, he retrained in real estate development at the University of Westminster and built his career across roles at CoStar, NHS Property Services, The Arch Company and LCP. Ola has worked extensively in asset management and lease events, particularly with SME tenants in railway arches and neighbourhood parades, which inspired him to focus on redressing the knowledge imbalance between landlords and tenants. In 2025 he was named RICS Matrics Chartered Commercial Property Surveyor of the Year. He also serves as an APC counsellor, assessor and chair, helping the next generation of surveyors navigate the chartership process. 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

  8. JAN 27

    Inside A Building Surveying Apprenticeship - Sonya Swaley - RICS Apprentice of the Year

    Summary Building surveying apprentice and RICS Matrics Apprentice of the Year, Sonya Swaley, joins me to share her journey into surveying and life on a five year apprenticeship. After Covid disrupted her A levels and a year studying economics, Sonya made the leap into professional construction and has not looked back. We talk about the realities of balancing work, university and APC preparation, why she chose building surveying over quantity surveying, and how apprenticeships can unlock a chartered career without student debt. Sonya also opens up about being a young woman in a male dominated sector, developing confidence on site, and why she now prefers heritage and listed buildings to shiny new builds. What We Cover How Covid, cancelled exams and a year of economics led Sonya to surveyingMoving from full time university into an apprenticeship routeWhy building surveying is less promoted than quantity surveying but more variedWhat it is like to be four years into a five year building surveying apprenticeshipStarting the APC early and building a diary from day oneSonya’s experience of the RICS Matrics Awards and winning Apprentice of the YearWhy she believes apprenticeships are a win for both apprentices and employersGovernment funding support for smaller firms who take on apprenticesLearning to handle difficult conversations with contractors using facts and kindnessBeing a woman in surveying and the role of women in property networksThe joy and challenge of working on heritage and listed buildingsUsing LinkedIn as a portfolio and a way to help others into the professionGuest Bio Sonya Swaley is a building surveying apprentice currently working with Murray Birrell in London. After Covid disrupted her A levels, Sonya began a full time economics degree before realising that a traditional university route was not for her. She returned home, completed an A level in professional construction and secured a building surveying apprenticeship. Now over four years into a five year programme with London South Bank University, Sonya is already on her APC pathway and building a strong mix of site and office experience, particularly on heritage and listed buildings. In 2024 she was named RICS Matrics Apprentice of the Year, recognising her commitment, technical development and contributions to the profession. Alongside her role, Sonya is active on LinkedIn, mentors prospective apprentices informally, and is passionate about widening access to surveying careers through apprenticeships and better outreach in schools and colleges. Guest Links Sonya Swaley on LinkedIn Murray Birrell Chartered Surveyors Useful Links Association of Apprentices Outer Circle networking group Women in Property London South Bank University built environment apprenticeshipsIf 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

    37 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
    18
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 This is Surveying
  • Show Website
    This is Surveying

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