This is Surveying

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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 can be.
What We Cover
From fine art to surveying 
Working in a bronze foundry 
Health challenges and career decisions 
Studying a master’s alongside work 
Passing the APC and becoming chartered 
Day to day life in commercial building surveying 
Project work and site experience 
Moving into building conservation 
Apprenticeships and supporting new entrants 
The importance of problem solving in surveying 
Guest Links
Victoria Collins - linkedin.com/in/victoria-collins-670719195
Useful Links 
Ridge and Partners LLP - https://ridge.co.uk/
Guest Bio
Victoria Collins is a chartered building surveyor at Ridge & Partners with a growing specialism in building conservation. She began her career in a fine art bronze foundry, working on large scale sculptures for internationally recognised artists. After eight years in the industry, she retrained in building surveying, completing a master’s degree while working and going on to achieve chartership through the RICS. Vicki is now undertaking a further master’s in historic conservation and is working towards professional accreditation in the field, combining her hands-on background with a passion for historic buildings.
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
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 practical and honest conversation about building a business, standing out, and improving the home buying experience. 
What We Cover 
Moving into surveying from estate agency 
Soft skills and communication in surveying 
Managing difficult situations on site 
Survey timing and the buying process 
Building a brand in surveying 
The importance of reviews 
Social media for surveyors 
AI and the future of surveying 
Career advice for new surveyors 
Guest Links: 
David Coplin-Chard -  linkedin.com/in/david-coplin-chard-827599203 
Useful Links: 
Landview Surveyors-  landviewsurveyors.co.uk 
Guest Bio
David Coplin-Chard is a founder & director of Landview Surveyors. He is a residential surveyor and business owner with a background in estate agency. He transitioned into surveying through the Sava route and has since built a growing brand in the residential surveying space. Known for his strong communication skills and presence on social media, David focuses on improving client experience, modernising how surveyors present themselves, and building a recognisable brand in a traditionally low-visibility profession. 
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  
Connect with me - Nina Young on LinkedIn

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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 experience 
What dilapidations mean in practice 
Why landlords protect asset value 
How claims are assessed and negotiated 
Lease wording and risk exposure 
Schedules of condition explained 
Tenant and landlord strategies 
Real examples from practice 
The human side of surveying
Guest Links
Tim Clarke  –  linkedin.com/in/tim-clarke-bsc-hons-msc-mba-mrics-cmgr-fcmi-88064432
Useful Links
Harrison Clarke - harrisonclarke.co.uk
Guest Bio
Tim Clarke is the Managing Director of Harrison Clark, a chartered surveying firm specialising in commercial property advice, including dilapidations, technical due diligence, and lease consultancy. With experience across both public and private sectors, Tim has built a reputation for practical, clear advice and a strong understanding of property risk. He is also passionate about making surveying knowledge more accessible through education, content, and industry engagement.
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  
Connect with me - Nina Young on LinkedIn

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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  
Connect with me - Nina Young on LinkedIn

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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  
Connect with me - Nina Young on LinkedIn