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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 Services. But the most important parts of that journey aren't on the CV.

In this episode, Nina talks to Rebecca about what residential surveying is really like to do. You're going into people's homes, often alone, navigating situations that no training manual fully prepares you for. She speaks openly about lone working, personal safety, and why the profession needs to take both more seriously. She also talks about emotional intelligence as a practical skill, not a soft one, and what it actually takes to do this job well over a long career.

This is the kind of conversation the profession needs more of.

What We Cover

• How a clearing phone call led Rebecca into surveying instead of law
• Why residential surveying suited her from the start
• Starting out at Countrywide and learning the job in Bath
• Mentorship, MRICS and building a long-term career in the profession
• How the 2008 crash reshaped day-to-day working life
• The shift from paper to digital and early surveying technology
• What residential surveying reveals about people and how they live
• Lone working, personal safety and the support surveyors actually need
• Emotional intelligence and handling difficult situations on site
• What AI and technology might change, and what will always need a human

Guest Links

Rebecca Freeman: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-freeman-frics-98312019/

Legal & General Surveying Services: https://www.legalandgeneral.com/surveying-services/

Women in Residential Surveying: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/13733915/

Useful Links

LionHeart: https://www.lionheart.org.uk/

Guest Bio

Rebecca Freeman is a residential surveying leader with more than 20 years’ experience in the profession. She is Risk Director at Legal & General Surveying Services and previously spent 22 years with Countrywide Surveying Services, building her career from graduate surveyor through to senior leadership. Rebecca is also the founder of Women in Residential Surveying, where she has been championing better support, visibility and practical conversations around the realities of working in the profession. Her background spans residential valuation, surveying operations, risk, training and professional development, with a particular interest in lone working, resilience and the future of residential 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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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, why regulation and professional standards are being outpaced by poor practice, and what AI actually means for the future of the profession.

From photogrammetry and thermal imaging to the very real risks of cutting corners with technology, this is a conversation about where surveying is headed and what it takes to do it properly.

What We Cover

• How Adam Bailey became one of the first drone surveyors in the UK
• The evolution of drone surveying technology since 2013
• Drone regulations and CAA requirements
• Insurance, compliance and operational risk
• Why professional surveying knowledge matters in drone inspections
• AI in surveying and the future of automated inspections
• Drone photogrammetry and measured surveys
• Common mistakes surveyors make with drones
• Thermal imaging, building performance and retrofit surveys
• The importance of education and professional standards in surveying tech
  
  

Guest Links

Adam Bailey: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/adambaileydronesurveyor

Earl Kendrick: https://earlkendrick.com/

Useful Links

Air Safety Map: https://airsafetymap.com/

CAA Drone Guidance: https://www.caa.co.uk/drones/

Atoll Done Management System: https://atollds.com/

Moonrock Drone Insurance: https://www.moonrockinsurance.com/

Global Drone Training: https://globaldronetraining.com/

Geo Business: https://www.geobusinessshow.com/

Digital Construction Week: https://www.digitalconstructionweek.com/


Guest Bio

Adam Bailey is Head of Specialist Surveys at Earl Kendrick and has been working in the drone surveying sector since the early days of commercial drone use within the UK built environment industry. Originally coming from a background in block management and surveying, Adam founded one of the first specialist drone surveying businesses focused on property inspections and building surveys. He has also been involved in shaping standards and industry discussions around drone operations, safety, and regulation. Adam specialises in drone inspections, photogrammetry, thermal imaging, and surveying technology, with a strong focus on professionalism, compliance, and education within the sector.

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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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 practical learning still matters, and what makes building surveying such a resilient profession in an increasingly automated world. Nina and Adrian also discuss outreach, attracting younger people into surveying, and the importance of developing evidence-based judgement that technology simply cannot replace.

What We Cover

• Moving from the military into surveying
• Why building surveying is so diverse
• Sustainability and energy efficiency in practice
• The shortage of surveyors across the industry
• Outreach work with schools and young people
• Career changes and mature students in surveying
• AI and its impact on education
• Why surveying still relies on human judgement
• Professional accountability and client responsibility
• The future of surveying education

Guest Links

Adrian Tagg’s Email – a.tagg@reading.ac.uk

Useful Links

University of Reading Building Surveying page – https://www.reading.ac.uk/ready-to-study/study/2026/surveying-and-construction-management-ug/bsc-building-surveying

Guest Bio

Adrian Tagg is an Associate Professor in Building Surveying at the University of Reading and a practising chartered building surveyor. Alongside academia, Adrian continues to work within industry and has extensive experience across building pathology, professional practice and surveying education. He also served as lead author for the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors guidance note on Planned Preventative Maintenance. Adrian is passionate about professional standards, applied learning, and encouraging more people into the surveying 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

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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

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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

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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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