Director, MK Surveys

Started with: Survey School 2 year course

Working as: Director, MK Surveys

How did your interest in surveying as a career develop?

By pure chance! After the engineering company I was doing an apprenticeship with went into liquidation, I saw an advert in the local newspaper about a Trainee Land Surveyor position. The idea of working outdoors was what appealed to me initially and then, when I started, I enjoyed the variation of the work and being able to travel and see so many different places.

How did your career progress?

I started with MK Surveys as a Trainee Surveyor and completed a year in the field gaining experience before starting on the two year block course at the Survey School. After completing the TSA course, I then went on the do a BSc (Hons) degree in Civil Engineering Surveying at UEL part-time whilst working as a surveyor, undertaking land and building surveys mostly. I then gained CICES membership before moving into a managerial role and a few years later gained RICS membership too before becoming a Director.

What is a key memory from your time spent studying at The Survey School?

Learning the principles of Tachometry and plotting points of detail by hand. Also enjoying social events with like-minded people that I am still in contact with today.

What was the most valuable lesson you learned from your time at The Survey School?

The mathematics that makes sense of the observations.

What is it about your role that you enjoy and value most?

Directing innovation at MK Surveys, travelling to different places and meeting different people, as well as overseeing training and the development of our amazing staff.

How would you describe your career in 3 words?

Interesting, technical, rewarding.

How do you encourage others to get involved in the surveying profession?

Visiting young people in education settings, having a presence at job and career fairs and overseeing work experience placements.

If you could give your younger self career advice now, what would it be?

Network as much as possible, visit trade shows, maintain an awareness of various application areas and relevant technology trends.

What has been your most memorable project to work on?

Completing a high accuracy survey of a race circuit in India. It was extremely challenging for many reasons and quite an adventure!

What has been your proudest career moment to date?

Achieving a first class honours degree in Civil Engineering Surveying whilst studying parttime at UEL