This is Surveying
🎧 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
Episodes
26 episodes
Dilapidations, Lease Risk and Protecting Value in Commercial Property by Tim Clarke
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....
Ed Ellis on residential surveying, people, and the reality of walking into someone’s home.
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 peo...
Drone Surveying and Life as a Chief UAS Pilot with Zara McGregor
SummaryDrones 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 buil...
Charlie Crocker on valuation, building a surveying firm, and the future of property valuation
SummaryCharlie 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.<...
Energy House, EPC Reform, and the Future of Retrofit with Professor Richard Fitton
SummaryProfessor 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 Surve...
Marine Surveying Explained with David Pestridge
SummaryMarine 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 M...
AI, Surveying, and the New RICS Standard with Christopher De Gruben
SummaryArtificial 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 Ar...
Jordan Turner on EPC Reform, Sustainability and Educating the Next Generation of Surveyors
SummaryIn 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 comm...
Elliot Goulding on QS Recruitment, AI in Construction and the Future of Hiring
SummaryIn 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 fl...
AI, Strategy and the Future of Construction and Surveying with Suzanne Hill
SummarySuzanne 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 expectatio...
From the Trades to Chartered Building Surveyor with Lewis Denbow
SummaryLewis 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 sk...
Inside Party Wall Surveying with Sarah Tanner
SummarySarah 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, thi...
Rosie Wills on Residential Surveying and Rethinking Estate Agent Relationships
SummaryIn 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 year...
Rachel Saint on APC Pathways, Senior Professional Route and Support for Surveyors
SummaryIn 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 surv...
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 foc...
Inside A Building Surveying Apprenticeship - Sonya Swaley - RICS Apprentice of the Year
SummaryBuilding 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 ...
So… What Do Building Inspectors Actually Do?
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, a...
AI, RICS And The Future Of Surveying
SummaryIn 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 res...
Navigating Rail Freight, Neurodiversity and the APC Journey with Chartered Surveyor Layla Davey
SummaryIn 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, land...
Something a bit different - a song for all you surveyors out there!
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...
Peter Monk - what clients and surveyors get wrong about damp and the “blame culture.”
SummaryIn this episode of This Is Surveying, I’m joined by Peter Monk, an independent damp and timber surveyor based on the Isle of Wight.Peter’s route into surveying is not the typical one. He left school at 16, t...
Nina's Take: Surveying Can Feel Lonely
In this “My Take” solo episode, I talk about what it really feels like to be a surveyor at this time of year. Not just the technical side, but the human side.I dig into independence vs isolation, the quiet pressure of judgement and risk,...
Joe Nelson on Retrofit, Social Impact and Opportunities for UK Surveyors
In this episode I’m joined by Joe Nelson, a chartered architectural technologist and chartered building engineer working in retrofit. We talk about what is actually happening on the ground in UK housing, from failed external wall insulation sch...
My Take - Why Surveying Must Become Visible
Summary In this solo episode of This Is Surveying called "My Take", I talk about something I see across the whole profession. Surveying is still largely invisible to the public, to young people choosing careers, and even to some of t...
A Deep Dive into Surveying's Future: AI, PropTech, and Beyond with Richard Sexton
SummaryIn this first episode, I speak with Richard Sexton, Commercial Director at Houzecheck. Richard has worked across the property and valuation sector for more than three decades, including corporate roles at LSL and exposure t...