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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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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 how buildings perform.

We talk about EPC accuracy, the performance gap between modelling and real buildings, and the research behind Richard’s white paper calling for better building data.

We also explore the Warm Homes Plan, the debate around fabric-first retrofit, and why surveyors have a major opportunity to expand their role in energy performance, ventilation, and healthy homes.

What We Cover

• Richard’s route into surveying and academia
• Inside Energy House and Energy House 2.0
• Why real building performance testing matters
• EPC reform and measured building data
• The UK Warm Homes Plan and retrofit funding
• Fabric first versus technology first retrofit
• Opportunities for surveyors in retrofit work
• The RICS retrofit surveyor pathway
• Assessing renewable technologies in homes
• Why healthy homes and ventilation matter

Guest Links

Richard Fitton on LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-fitton-a668a822b

Useful Links

RICS Guidance on Retrofit - https://www.rics.org/consumer-guides/retrofitting-improving-energy-efficiency-home

Energy House - https://energyhouselabs.salford.ac.uk/

Warm Homes Plan - https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/warm-homes-plan

Guest Bio

Professor Richard Fitton is a Chartered Building Surveyor, Fellow of the RICS, and Professor of Building Physics at the University of Salford.

He is the Technical Director of Energy House 2.0. This unique global research facility enables the construction of full homes within climate-controlled chambers to test real building performance under simulated weather conditions.

Richard’s research focuses on building performance, retrofit, energy efficiency, and housing sustainability. His work is influencing major UK housing policy and helping shape the design of new homes and retrofit strategies nationwide.

Alongside his research, Richard continues to engage with industry and surveying practice. He is also a member of the UK Fuel Poverty Committee, advising the government on policies to reduce fuel poverty and improve housing conditions.

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

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 structural defects, David explains the realities of marine surveying and how the role shares many similarities with property surveying.

They also discuss the importance of inspection routines, report writing, communication skills, and professional judgement.

Along the way, David shares some memorable stories from the field and explains why he is passionate about helping people understand boats and the marine surveying profession.

What We Cover

• David’s journey from army engineer to marine surveyor
• What marine surveyors inspect on boats and yachts
• The process of a pre-purchase boat survey
• Why routine and consistency matter in inspections
• Common defects include corrosion and fatigue
• Writing clear and defensible survey reports
• Managing difficult conversations with clients and sellers
• The realities of working outdoors and travelling for surveys
• Advice for people interested in marine surveying careers
• Educating boat buyers through guides and YouTube

Guest Links

David Pestridge LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidpestridge

Useful Links

• International Institute of Marine Surveying (IIMS) - https://www.iims.org.uk
• Free ebook: How to Buy Your First Boat https://boatchat.beehiiv.com/products/how-to-buy-your-first-boat

Guest Bio

David Pestridge is a marine surveyor and the owner of White Hat Marine Surveying. He specialises in surveys of yachts, motorboats, narrowboats, and barges across the UK.

Before becoming a surveyor, David served for 17 years in the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers as an engineering officer. After leaving the army in 2008, he retrained as a marine surveyor and has since built a successful practice inspecting boats for buyers, owners, and insurers.

David is also Deputy Vice President of the International Institute of Marine Surveyors and is passionate about improving standards across the profession. Through his writing, YouTube channel, and educational resources, he helps boat owners and aspiring surveyors better understand marine surveying and boat inspection.

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

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 surveyors, where the real opportunities are, and why parts of the surveying profession may face major disruption.

Chris also shares insights from co-chairing the working group behind the new RICS Responsible Use of AI standard. The discussion covers disclosure, materiality, and how surveyors can safely integrate AI into their workflows.

The episode also tackles the debate around AI and the APC process, and why discouraging candidates from using AI may risk pushing the next generation away from the profession.

If you want to understand how AI is reshaping surveying, property valuation, and the built environment, this is a conversation you do not want to miss.

What We Cover

• Chris’s international career and how he moved into AI and property
• Real-world examples of AI being used in property companies today
• The difference between AI assistants and AI analysts
• Over 300 potential AI use cases in property businesses
• The RICS Responsible Use of AI standard
• Understanding materiality when using AI in surveying work
• Why AI should not replace the surveyor’s professional judgement
• Concerns about AI restrictions for APC candidates
• The impact of AI on junior roles and surveying careers
• How the UK property industry compares to Saudi Arabia

Guest Links

Christopher De Gruben on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/degruben

Useful Links

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

Surveyors UK – https://www.surveyors-uk.com

Guest Bio

Christopher De Gruben is a chartered surveyor and Senior Director and Head of AI and Property at Artefact. He advises major property investors and developers across Europe and the Middle East on large-scale data and artificial intelligence programmes. His work focuses on modernising property operating models and embedding AI into real estate businesses in practical ways.

Chris also plays an active role in shaping the surveying profession. He serves as Vice Chair of the RICS Professional Group Panel Board and co-chaired the working group responsible for the new RICS Responsible Use of AI standard. He is also co-authoring new guidance on AI in valuation.

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

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 people.

What We Cover

• Career journey from residential agency into commercial estate management
• Why industry experience strengthens surveying education
• EPC reform challenges and inconsistencies
• Retrofit pressures and Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards
• Behavioural impacts and policy gaps
• Home buying reform and upfront information
• Skills shortages and attracting new surveyors
• Residential surveying education pathways
• Knowledge transfer from experienced professionals
• Collaboration across the surveying profession

Guest Links

Jordan Turner LinkedIn – linkedin.com/in/jordan-turner-50748a17b

Useful Links
University of the Built Environment – https://www.ube.ac.uk

Guest Bio

Jordan Turner is a senior lecturer at the University of the Built Environment with a professional background spanning residential property, estate agency, property management, and commercial estate management. He is currently undertaking a PhD focused on sustainability and energy performance in the built environment. Jordan is passionate about improving EPC frameworks, strengthening educational pathways, and bridging the gap between academic theory and real-world 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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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 you practical insight into what is happening right now and what could be coming next.

What We Cover

• Why QSs are one of the hardest roles to recruit in construction
• The shift towards freelance and flexible working
• How employers can retain commercial teams
• The risk of a mid-level skills gap
• AI in surveying and construction
• Using automation to improve efficiency
• Hard Hat AI and digital transformation in construction
• The impact of regulation and Gateway delays
• Market outlook for 2026

Guest Links

Elliot Goulding – LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elliotgoulding/
ProBuild Recruitment: https://probuildrec.com/

Useful Links

Hard Hat AI: https://hardhatai159.com/

Guest Bio

Elliot Goulding is a specialist QS recruiter and Director of ProBuild Recruitment. With over 16 years in construction recruitment, Elliot works closely with main contractors and subcontractors across the UK, focusing on quantity surveying and commercial management roles from graduate to director level. He launched ProBuild Recruitment just before COVID and has since built a reputation for strategic hiring advice, market insight, and long term partnerships with construction businesses. He is also the founder of Hard Hat AI, a service helping construction firms use AI and automation to improve efficiency and stay competitive.

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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