Part 1 explored why that moment is necessary. Part 2 addresses the more uncomfortable reality: what happens when we do nothing?

The Cost of Getting It Wrong

By the time most people realise there is a problem with a survey, the consequences have already taken hold.

The data has been trusted. The design has been developed. Models have been coordinated. Procurement decisions have been made. Construction is either underway or complete.

At that point, the question is no longer whether the survey was correct.

It is how much the error is going to cost.

TSA Council member Andy Beardsley, has written part two of this special edition of The Geospatial Edge.

The post Reclaiming geospatial – why the sector must unite (part 2) appeared first on The Survey Association.

This year’s invitation list expanded beyond the traditional membership, bringing together Tier 1 contractors, clients of survey companies, and other key industry stakeholders. The result was a lively, engaged gathering of serious-minded geospatial professionals, decision makers, and influencers, all committed to the future of the profession.

Key decisions and the President’s Award

The formal AGM business was chaired by TSA President Claire Fenwick, who oversaw several important updates, including a significant change to TSA’s Articles and Rules. For the first time, Affiliate Members will now be eligible to stand for Council — an important step toward broader representation and sector-wide collaboration.

Claire also presented the President’s Award, sponsored by Lockton, to Melvin Penwill of KOREC, recognising his enthusiastic and tireless work in supporting training at The Survey School. His contribution continues to make a meaningful impact across the sector.

Shaping a national awareness campaign

One of the day’s central themes emerged as Oliver Viney, TSA Vice President, introduced the Stakeholder Session. He was joined by Kirsty Ostell, Managing Director of O Agency, who highlighted the vital role of professional marketing expertise and experience in raising the profile of geospatial professionals on a national scale.

The vision is clear: the profession needs greater visibility, clearer messaging, and better public understanding. As both speakers emphasised, this change will take time. It is not going to happen overnight, but will involve structured input and a clear plan to be carried out over years rather than months.

TSA has committed to this long-term approach. However, the campaign’s success will depend on sustained support and funding from across the profession. Members should contact TSA CEO Rachel Tyrrell or any Council member for more information on how to contribute.

Connection, conversation and planning ahead

After the morning’s discussions, attendees enjoyed a tour of Twickenham, followed by lunch, a welcome opportunity to continue conversations informally and build on the energy of the sessions. Smaller group meetings took place in the afternoon, with considerable enthusiasm around shaping the next phases of the awareness campaign.

The shared sense of purpose was summarised powerfully by Oliver Viney, who stated:

“Our profession shapes the nation’s infrastructure, fuels innovation, and underpins every major decision about our built and natural environments – yet its value is still widely underestimated. We’re here to change that. By uniting behind a bold, UK wide campaign, we can elevate the profile of our skills, attract the next generation of talent, strengthen standards, and secure our rightful place at the top tables. Together, we can make geospatial surveying recognised as the critical national infrastructure it truly is – not someday, but starting right now.”

What attendees said

When asked about the best part of the day, the feedback spoke volumes:

• “The feeling I got with a unified call to action was so inspiring and filled me with confidence for the future of our profession.”
• “Gathering and harnessing the passion and unity desire in the room!”
• “The open and frank discussion around important issues that need to be actioned.”
• “Good to see a major campaign of this scale launched so effectively. A significant amount of work has clearly gone in behind the scenes, and it was presented in a way that genuinely engaged the room. Credit to the TSA team and the speakers on the day, a well delivered and professionally run session.”

The 46th AGM marked not only an important moment for the Association, but also a turning point for the wider geospatial community – one defined by unity, ambition, and the shared commitment to tell the story of a profession that underpins the nation’s future.

The post TSA’s 46th AGM: A landmark gathering and the launch of a national campaign appeared first on The Survey Association.

It is an ambitious move, built around visibility, advocacy, recruitment, and a unified voice for a profession that underpins everything from infrastructure and construction to heritage and environmental management.

But the need for this Charter raises a more uncomfortable question. How has a discipline so fundamental — the starting point of design, the reference for engineering, and the record that supports long-term asset management – reached a position where it must explain its value, clarify its identity, and actively reintroduce itself to the industries it supports?

TSA Council member Andy Beardsley, has written this special edition of The Geospatial Edge

The post Reclaiming geospatial: Why the sector must unite appeared first on The Survey Association.

In the first of a series of snapshots discussing various aspects of surveying, we ask: “Where would we be without underground utility surveys?”   

Essential groundwork

Underground utility surveys, also known as PAS128 surveys are an integral part of the construction process. Without them, it would be much more difficult to ascertain the suitability of a site for building projects, or to understand the location of services and potential obstacles underground.

The layout of any development depends heavily on the resources and services already present. Ideally, you don’t design a housing development on a site criss-crossed by underground electric cables and sewer pipes. That isn’t to say such obstacles are insurmountable, but an underground utility survey could identify them well in advance, allowing designers to proceed accordingly.

Under investigation

Underground surveys are carried out by qualified professionals using geospatial technology. Surveyors use electromagnetic detection, GPR (Ground Penetrating Radar), GNSS and total stations to create a detailed, multilayered digital map of what lies beneath. The construction process can be fraught with unforeseen challenges, but having the assurance of a PAS128 utility survey goes a long way towards minimising these risks.

Construction projects need underground utility surveys (or PAS128 surveys) to be carried out before building work can start. A surveyor will locate, identify and map most utility services beneath the surface. Most underground utilities, such as electric cabling, telecoms, drainage, gas, water, and fibre optic services, can typically be found, along with other buried hazards, voids and other subterranean features.

In a world where surveys are not carried out, expensive design changes or costly diversion of services might be needed mid-project – if existing services are found to  obstruct foundation layouts or conflict with planned utility routes servicing the development.    

Build on solid foundations

A world without underground surveys would mean far more exploratory, preparatory work before any design or construction could begin.

Our ‘depth of knowledge’ and expertise in underground utility surveying is reinforced by our commitment to ensuring our member companies carry out their work to the highest standard. TSA has created a PAS128 accreditation scheme called PUMA (PAS128 Utility Mapping Accreditation) for all its utility surveying members. PUMA provides a defined benchmark and creates a national standard for best practice. It demonstrates continuous professional improvement, gives clients confidence in survey quality, and can save time and costly delays.

To find out more about our PUMA accreditation, get in touch with us today.

The post Where would we be without…underground surveys? appeared first on The Survey Association.

On Wednesday 25th March 2026, TSA will host what is set to be one of its most significant AGMs in its long history. Held at the iconic Allianz Stadium Twickenham, this landmark event will bring together TSA members, industry leaders and policy makers for a pivotal day that will help shape the future of the geospatial survey profession.

With over 120 geospatial professionals already registered, momentum is building rapidly – and for good reason. This is more than an AGM. This is a turning point.

At a glance

Venue: Allianz Stadium Twickenham
Date: Wednesday 25th March 2026

Schedule

• 09:30 – Registration & Coffee
• 10:00 – TSA AGM Start
• 10:45 – Stakeholder Event: national marketing campaign for the geospatial survey profession
• 12:30 onwards – Lunch, stadium tours & networking
• 15:30 – Close

Why this event is different

Following years of work elevating standards, strengthening qualification routes, and raising the status of professional membership, the profession is now poised for its next big leap forward.

The Stakeholder Event, beginning at 10:45, will bring together invited leaders and decision‑makers to help develop the UK’s first National Marketing Campaign for the Geospatial Survey Profession – a project born out of key insights and actions from many different conversations including last year’s Geo:Influence initiative.

This campaign aims to:

• Explore how surveying is perceived across industries
• Identify gaps in understanding and why they matter
• Define the outcomes that a strong national campaign must deliver
• Set priorities around skills, visibility, talent, and long‑term impact

Delegates’ contributions will shape discussions that influence the future of the profession – from workforce attractiveness to sector reputation, and from national awareness to policy-level engagement.

Networking, lunch & exclusive Twickenham Stadium tour

Following a high‑impact morning, the aim is for attendees to continue conversations over lunch before touring the iconic Twickenham Stadium – a venue chosen for its scale, history, symbolism, and ability to inspire.

The venue’s fantastic networking spaces will remain open until 15:30, offering ample time for deep discussion and new connections.

Chief Executive Officer Rachel Tyrrell says,

“This is a collective milestone – an opportunity to influence a national narrative, strengthen the profession’s voice, and build a future-ready identity for the next generation of geospatial surveyors. With momentum accelerating and sector visibility growing, this collaborative event on 25th March will help shape the direction the profession takes next.”

Registration closes on Friday 13th March. Please contact the team at office@tsa-uk.org.uk for more details.

The post TSA’s AGM: Driving the future of geospatial surveying appeared first on The Survey Association.

From mapping out the next city skyscraper to ensuring your local school is built in the right spot – surveyors play a key role in land development, construction, mining, transport, and environmental projects. Yet despite being essential to construction, planning, engineering, and property, surveying too often remains a career that people come across, rather than actively seek out.

Read on if you’re curious about what a career in land surveying actually looks like, and how to get started.

What does a surveyor actually do?

At its heart, land surveying is about measurement and spatial understanding. Surveyors determine the precise positions of points on the earth’s surface, establish boundaries, and produce data that underpins everything, from planning applications to multi-million-pound construction projects. Surveyors work in lots of different places, using a mix of technical know-how, problem solving, and people skills. Depending on your area of specialism, you might find yourself:

• Conducting topographic surveys to map the features of a site before development begins
• Carrying out measured building surveys to capture the geometry of existing structures
• Performing utility surveys to locate and map underground services
• Undertaking lease plan surveys or boundary surveys for legal and property purposes
• Using laser scanning and drone technology to capture highly detailed 3D datasets
• Working in monitoring roles, tracking the movement of structures, slopes, or ground over time

Geospatial surveying is a career on the rise, with demand growing across many industries. No two projects are quite the same, and no two days in the field are identical.

Who is surveying suitable for?

Surveying suits people who enjoy enjoy technology, being outdoors, and solving problems, who have a methodical mind, and who take pride in the accuracy of their work. You don’t necessarily need to have come from a technical or engineering background to find your footing in the profession. Many successful surveyors have entered the industry from construction, the military, a geography background, or even completely unrelated fields.

When it comes to building a career in surveying, what matters most is an aptitude for precision, a willingness to keep learning, and having practical curiosity about how things fit together in the physical world.

The importance of recognised training

Becoming a surveyor means learning the right technical skills and getting hands-on experience. While enthusiasm and aptitude will take you far, land surveying is a profession that demands formal, recognised skills. Equipment such as total stations, GNSS receivers, and terrestrial laser scanners requires proper training to use effectively – and the data you produce will be relied upon by engineers, architects, planners, and solicitors. Getting it wrong has real consequences but getting it right, consistently, is what defines a professional surveyor. This is where practical training becomes invaluable.

The Survey School: training for the real world

The Survey School, based in Worcester and part of The Survey Association, exists precisely to meet this need. It’s a leading provider of land surveying training, offering a wide range of courses that cater to everyone from complete beginners taking their first steps in the profession to experienced practitioners looking to extend their competencies or gain qualifications in new areas.

What sets The Survey School apart is its emphasis on hands-on, practical learning. Courses are led by instructors with genuine real-world experience, and the training is designed to equip attendees with skills they can apply from day one.

A breadth of training to support every stage of your career

Whether you’re just starting out or looking to diversify your existing skill set, there is almost certainly a course that is perfect for you.

The Survey School’s programmes are designed to flex around working lives. Many courses run over just a day or two, making them accessible to those already in employment who need to build specific skills without taking extended time away from work. Others are more intensive for those who want to immerse themselves in a new discipline.

For experienced professionals, the school’s courses provide a structured route to continuing professional development (CPD) – something that is increasingly important for maintaining memberships with professional bodies such as the Chartered Institution of Civil Engineering Surveyors (CICES) and the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), both of which are closely linked to The Survey Association’s professional standards framework.

A career with real prospects

Land surveying offers strong long-term career prospects. Skilled surveyors are in consistent demand, and the profession has proved resilient through economic cycles because the need to measure, map, and monitor the physical world doesn’t diminish. The growing adoption of technologies such as laser scanning, drones, and BIM (Building Information Modelling) is creating new opportunities rather than replacing human expertise – surveyors who combine field skills with technological literacy are particularly well placed.

Learning in-demand skills, like working with GIS tools or flying drones, can give you a real edge in the job market. Progression is merit-based, and there is genuine scope to move into project management, consultancy, or specialist technical roles. Many surveyors also work independently, running their own businesses once they have built up experience and reputation.

Ready to take the next step?

Whether you’re considering a career change, looking to formalise skills you’ve developed on the job, or wanting to add new capabilities to an existing practice, The Survey School offers a clear and practical pathway forward.

As the training arm of The Survey Association – the trade body representing the land surveying profession in the UK – The Survey School brings together industry knowledge, professional standards, and practical expertise in a way that few other training providers can match.

To find out more about upcoming courses, qualifications, and how The Survey School can support your career development, visit The Survey School’s website.

For an overview of the geospatial profession, complete with short films of real surveyors and what they do – please visit our revamped Become A Surveyor website.

The post Building a career in geospatial appeared first on The Survey Association.

A stadium with humble beginnings

Before it became a world-renowned rugby venue, the site at Twickenham looked very different. In 1907, the Rugby Football Union purchased just over ten acres of local market gardens for £5,572 – a decision that split opinion at the time. William Williams, the committee member who fought hardest for the purchase, jokingly referred to the land as “Billy Williams’ Cabbage Patch” and the nickname stuck!

From these modest beginnings, over the decades, it has taken on a whole range of roles: cattle grazed it during the First World War, it was a civil defence depot in the Second, and then a construction project which was fraught with planning challenges. By 2005, with the opening of a major new South Stand, the stadium reached an 82,000 capacity – becoming the second-largest stadium in the UK and the biggest in world rugby.

A venue built for big moments

Today, Twickenham’s legacy stretches far beyond sports. It has hosted concerts by global icons, including the Rolling Stones and Lady Gaga. In 2024, the stadium underwent its first-ever rebrand, becoming the Allianz Stadium Twickenham. Yet despite the new name, its identity remains unchanged: a venue built for momentous occasions, making it the perfect home for our TSA AGM. 

Why does the setting matter?  It lifts the ambition.

Why this TSA AGM stands out

On 25 March, TSA members will gather not only to conduct the formal business of the association, but to take part in something much bigger.

This year’s AGM will include:

• Key discussions on the issues shaping the future of our profession
• Updates on TSA projects designed to support and benefit members
• Opportunities to connect with fellow geospatial professionals from across the country

Importantly, members will join invited geospatial leaders, influencers, and policy makers to help shape a major new national marketing campaign. This will be the first discovery phase of the project – and your ideas, experience, and perspective will play an essential role in what comes next.

An inspirational setting

Beyond the AGM itself, the stadium offers an experience that few other venues can match. With 34 flexible meeting spaces and more than 150 pitch-view executive boxes, it is one of the most versatile corporate venues in the country.

Attendees will also have the chance to take a stadium tour, giving you the opportunity to explore behind the scenes of this extraordinary place – from the rich history of the old “cabbage patch” to the modern home of English rugby. The World Rugby Museum, housed onsite, features jerseys from rugby’s earliest international fixtures, artefacts dating back to 1871, and the iconic Webb Ellis Cup.

Join us on 25 March

Allianz Stadium Twickenham has hosted more than a century of moments that mattered. On 25 March, we’re excited to add another.

We look forward to welcoming our members for a day of insight, collaboration, and forward-thinking conversation – all in one of the most inspiring venues in the UK. If you are keen to join this conversation and join a geospatial collective, please get in touch with us via email at office@tsa-uk.org.uk.

The post Driving over the line: don’t miss this year’s TSA AGM at Twickenham appeared first on The Survey Association.

Making a great team

Since TSA’s formation in 1979, including the current Council, a total of 94 individuals have served as Council members and Directors of the association.  They have all brought a huge variety of skill, experience and particular passions that have prompted them to stand and get further involved.  Council drives everything that TSA does, so having a variety of characters around the table once a quarter guarantees lively debate.

Collectively the Council has a wealth of experience and knowledge of the geospatial profession, which they can share in their roles as TSA representatives and ambassadors. They also have specialist knowledge in other sectors too, such as finance, business or marketing, which also contributes to their work steering the association in the right direction.

Stronger together

As well as keeping up-to-date with current developments and new thinking on surveying methods, there are many other aspects to their roles. In addition to steering TSA’s direction, aims and ethos, TSA is also involved in lobbying government departments when appropriate, as per our work regarding equipment theft and other agencies – such as the Environment Agency – regarding policies that are likely to affect or involve the surveying profession.

Representatives from TSA also regularly meet with RICS and CICES on a range of issues and have collectively established Survey Liaison Group (SLG). This group convenes at regular intervals to examine matters of mutual interest. Council makes sure that TSA is doing the best for its members and for its profession. TSA is at the forefront of this effort by investing in the acquisition of The Survey School in 2014 and the creation of Geospatial Apprenticeships and providing comprehensive education and training opportunities. By emphasising the critical importance of geospatial surveying, TSA is paving the way for young individuals to explore and pursue fulfilling careers in this dynamic industry. Council shapes this development, so that members can truly benefit from being part of something that provides solutions to surveying challenges, with a clear vision of the sector’s future.

To find out more about TSA’s Council, visit our website.

The post The power behind TSA: our Council in action appeared first on The Survey Association.

Working towards excellence

As part of our ongoing education initiative and the launch of the new Become a Surveyor website, we’ve looked at how to map out a career in surveying in a simple, informative way. Our route map sets out the various paths available to budding surveyors. There are three distinct routes to a successful career as a geospatial surveyor. You can choose to work, to study or to ‘earn and learn’.

If you choose to work, you’ll become a trainee surveyor. This will lead to hands-on instruction from your employer, and you can attend the TSA Surveying Course at The Survey School. You can then progress to becoming an assistant surveyor, which brings with it a new raft of responsibilities and the ProQual Diploma, an experience-based Level 3 qualification. This can then lead to becoming a fully-fledged Surveyor. The Survey School’s range of specialist courses can extend existing knowledge with an injection of short, subject-specific courses too. With increased experience comes seniority, and this can eventually lead to roles such as Principal Surveyor, Survey Project Manager or even becoming a business owner.

Studying towards success

Choosing to study is a more defined pathway and one many students in many sectors will be familiar with. This will involve taking A Levels in subjects relevant to surveying, such as maths, geography and design, or T Levels in technical areas such as design, surveying and planning, or Design Engineer Construct (DEC). This can then lead on to study for a Bachelor’s Degree in Geography, Civil Engineering or another related subject. It could also lead to studying for a Master’s Degree in Geospatial. By this point on the pathway, students will be fully-qualified surveyors, where they can then follow the same routes as the ‘choose to work’ path.

Learning while you’re earning

Another option is to become an apprentice. The Level 3 Geospatial Survey Technician was created specifically for this purpose. You can also combine work with study via a Degree Apprenticeship and later you can even undertake a Master’s Apprenticeship.

Our route map illustrates the flexible career routes available to candidates, which provides the freedom to build a career that fits your goals. Starting on one pathway doesn’t limit you. As you can see from the diagram, you can switch to another route at any time, to continue your career growth in a way that suits you.

To find out more about becoming a surveyor, visit our new website or get in touch for more information about careers in surveying. 

The post Ready to shape the world? Become a surveyor! appeared first on The Survey Association.

Promotion, guidance and insight

There are numerous advantages to joining TSA via the range of memberships available – from Full and Associate to Affiliate, Supplier and Academic. These categories provide a handy description of the different elements of the wider surveying profession – which TSA brings together.

Joining TSA includes benefits for members, old and new. TSA promotes the importance and value of proven geospatial surveying skills and standards directly to clients and client-facing organisations. It’s also important that the profession is promoted to young people and that the rewards of a career in surveying are obvious to anyone considering it.

We also offer free-to-attend technical and business seminars, and huge discounts on surveying courses at The Survey School in Worcester. Our Continuous Company Development (CCD) initiative has been running since 2009 for our Full Members and is a way of encouraging members to be well-run businesses and great places to work.

Events and opportunities

TSA members are kept up-to-date with fresh professional insights, guidance and the latest developments in cutting-edge technology. They are also informed of opportunities for collaboration with other members of TSA’s community and the many benefits that pooling their skillsets can bring. This is enhanced by networking opportunities at our events throughout the year.

From our regular Health and Safety seminars to our annual Conference and AGM, there are so many opportunities to get together with fellow professionals, to share knowledge, make great contacts and forge rewarding new relationships. Recent events have taken us to Wembley, Silverstone, Anfield and the British Motor Museum, and have offered opportunities to learn from inspirational leaders and speakers, such as Sir Clive Woodward, Major Tim Peake and RAF ace Tornado pilot Mandy Hickson. 

Building towards success

We also offer a range of geospatial resources packed with useful information, via a wealth of free-to-use materials. This includes everything from advice on marketing your business to financial tips. This all contributes to our aim, which is to help our members build and run successful businesses. We also offer free-to-attend technical and business seminars, and huge discounts on surveying courses at The Survey School. Another useful facet of membership are the recruitment opportunities. Whether you’re looking for a new apprentice or a seasoned professional, TSA’s jobs board and apprenticeship page are totally free for members to post recruitment opportunities. This provides geospatial surveyors with great openings to new career paths and chances to thrive in this rewarding, exciting profession.

Our dedicated emphasis on professional standards and continued improvement ensures TSA members always maintain the highest standards. If you’d like to find out more about becoming a member of The Survey Association, then visit https://www.tsa-uk.org.uk/membership/to find out more or click on our Join Us page.

The post Why join The Survey Association? appeared first on The Survey Association.