AI, Leases and Small Business Power in Commercial Surveying Artwork

This is Surveying

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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.

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This is Surveying

AI, Leases and Small Business Power in Commercial Surveying

February 03, 2026 • Nina Young - Surveyors UK • Season 1 • Episode 9

0:00 | 34:01

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 surveying
Discovering property via CoStar and NHS Property Services
Working at The Arch Company and negotiating directly with small business tenants
Why Ola founded Olawill and chose to sit on the tenant side
How commercial leases and rent reviews really affect SMEs
Where AI tools actually help surveyors and small businesses today
Data, hallucinations and negligence risks in AI-assisted professional practice
Why the word “surveyor” confuses people and how that affects recruitment
Diversity, progression and the reality of representation in senior roles
Making the APC interview process fairer as a counsellor, assessor and chair

Guest Links

Olawill – Lease advisory for SMEs
Connect with Ola on LinkedIn

Guest 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.

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Connect with me - Nina Young on LinkedIn