This is Surveying

Conservation and sustainability aren't opposites. They're two sides of the same coin. 

Dr Samantha Organ, associate professor at the University of the West of England and a building surveyor working across heritage, sustainability and consultancy, joins Nina Young to explain why. 

This conversation explores climate resilience and the future of historic buildings. It also touches on the graduate shortage reshaping surveying ...

Recruitment isn't just about finding the next job.

Roger Dunning has spent 24 years placing surveyors, and he's noticed the same pattern every time. The ones who get furthest aren't chasing the next job, they're building what he calls "career capital."

In this episode, Nina Young talks to Roger, founder of HD Surveyors, about why broad experience beats early specialism, why chartership is a non-negotiable badge to employers, and why ...

This episode is sponsored by Rebuild Cost UK, specialists in reinstatement cost assessments for RICS-compliant reporting. Find out more at https://rebuildcost.uk/

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 Service...

This episode is sponsored by Rebuild Cost UK, specialists in reinstatement cost assessments for RICS-compliant reporting. Find out more at https://rebuildcost.uk/

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, wh...

This episode is sponsored by Rebuild Cost UK, specialists in reinstatement cost assessments for RICS-compliant reporting. Find out more at https://rebuildcost.uk/

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 pra...

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 brilliant example of how varied the routes into surveying ...

This episode is sponsored by Rebuild Cost UK, specialists in reinstatement cost assessments for RICS-compliant reporting. Find out more at https://rebuildcost.uk/

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 prac...

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 surveying 
• Public vs private sector expe...

This episode is sponsored by Rebuild Cost UK, specialists in reinstatement cost assessments for RICS-compliant reporting. Find out more at https://rebuildcost.uk/

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...

This episode is sponsored by Rebuild Cost UK, specialists in reinstatement cost assessments for RICS-compliant reporting. Find out more at https://rebuildcost.uk/

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...

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

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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 ...

Summary

Marinesurveying 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 o...

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 sur...

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 p...

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 y...

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 of jumping into tools without direction
• Data owne...

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 apprenticeships and accessibility
• Lessons from the trades
• Communi...

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
• Consent, dissent, and what they really mean
• Party wall fe...