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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 surveying in the UK.

What we cover

• Career journey into surveying
• Life on site as a residential surveyor
• Managing emotions and difficult situations
• Survey vs valuation confusion
• Importance of soft skills
• Client perception of surveyors
• Property documentation challenges
• Professional standards and reputation
• Industry misconceptions
• Future of the surveying profession

Guest Links

Ed Ellis - https://www.linkedin.com/in/edward-ellis-15627636

Useful Links

RICS (Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors): https://www.rics.org
SAVA (Surveying Training): https://sava.co.uk

Guest Bio
Ed Ellis is a registered valuer and experienced residential surveyor with over 14 years in the industry. With a career spanning agencies, corporate firms, and private practice, this breadth of experience offers a well-rounded perspective on surveying and valuation. A strong emphasis is placed on the human side of residential surveying, highlighting the importance of clear communication, professionalism, and delivering a positive client experience.

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

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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 Zara became a Chief UAS Pilot
• Apprenticeships and alternative routes into surveying
• Drone surveying on construction sites
• Navigating airspace restrictions and flight permissions
• Working with the Civil Aviation Authority and drone regulations
• Safety checks and operational planning
• The accuracy of drone survey data
• Public perception of drones and privacy concerns
• Career opportunities in drone surveying
• Encouraging the next generation into geospatial careers

Guest Links

Zara McGregor on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/zara-mcgregor-drone-whiz

Plowman Craven - https://plowmancraven.com

Useful Links

Coptrz – https://www.coptrz.com

Drone Pilot Academy – https://dronepilotacademy.co.uk

Guest Bio

Zara McGregor is Chief UAS Pilot at Plowman Craven, where she leads drone operations for surveying and construction projects. She began her career through a geospatial technician apprenticeship and developed her skills in land surveying, CAD, and aerial data capture. Zara now specialises in commercial drone operations, managing drone surveys, inspections, and mapping projects while ensuring compliance with Civil Aviation Authority regulations. She is also passionate about sharing her experiences and encouraging more people to explore careers in geospatial technology and drone surveying.

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

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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

• Moving from town planning into surveying
• Training as a graduate surveyor at JLL
• Entrepreneurial lessons from working in Brazil
• Launching Terracosta Property
• Valuation and the complexity of commercial property
• The challenge of pricing professional services
• AI and its role in surveying today
• Automated valuation models and where they fit
• Supporting graduates through the APC process
• Collaboration across the surveying profession

Guest Links

Charlie Crocker – https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlie-crocker-b498bb12

Useful Links

Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) - https://www.rics.org

Guest Bio

Charlie Crocker is the Managing Director of Terracosta Property and an RICS Registered Valuer and Chartered Surveyor. His career began at JLL after completing a RICS accredited masters, where he trained in valuation and gained experience across commercial property.

After several years in London, Charlie moved to Brazil, where he built and ran property businesses during the Olympic years. Returning to the UK, he founded Terracosta Property, a chartered surveying practice providing valuation and building surveying services across residential and commercial property.

Charlie is passionate about professional standards, developing graduates through the APC process, and embracing technology responsibly within surveying practice.

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

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