This is Surveying

Send us Fan Mail 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...

Send us Fan Mail Adam Bailey was there when drones first entered the built environment, and he's watched the entire industry evolve around him. As Head of Specialist Surveys at Earl Kendrick, Adam joins Nina Young to talk about how drone technology has transformed the way surveyors work, why regulation and professional standards are being outpaced by poor practice, and what AI actually means...

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 increasing...

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 brillia...

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...

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 surveyi...

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...

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 Za...

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...

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 clim...

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 structur...

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...

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 pat...

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...

Send us Fan Mail 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 AI Why AI is 80 percent strategy and people The risks...

Send us Fan Mail 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 surveying Degree apprentic...

Send us Fan Mail 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 surveyor What triggers the Party Wall Act C...

Send us Fan Mail 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...

Send us Fan Mail 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...

Send us Fan Mail 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...

Send us Fan Mail 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...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, I’m joined by registered building inspector and building control surveyor, Jack Calveley. Jack talks through his journey from SAVA residential surveying into LABC’s trainee programme, gaining his Level 4 and 5 qualifications, and moving from local authority into private sector building control. We unpack what building control actually is, what a registered buildin...

Send us Fan Mail Summary In this solo episode, I talk about why AI is already reshaping surveying, from residential surveys to professional practice, whether you consider yourself “techy” or not. I look at the new RICS professional standard on the responsible use of artificial intelligence in surveying practice, and what it means for judgement, accountability and how we use AI day to day.  I also...

Send us Fan Mail Summary In this episode I’m joined by Layla Davey , a Chartered Commercial Surveyor working in rail freight at Network Rail. Layla looks after a huge patch across the South of England, dealing with sidings, open storage, landlord and tenant issues and day to day commercial surveying on the railway. We talk about what rail freight actually involves, the reality of site inspections,...

Send us Fan Mail A song written just for you - all the incredible surveyors and supporters of Surveyors UK. I want to say a personal thank you for all your support, both on this podcast and across The Surveying Room and Surveyors UK.  Wishing you all a well-deserved break, and here's to 2026! Nina Young Founder - Surveyors UK, The Surveying Room and This is Surveying If you want to connect wi...