Published: 29 Oct 2025
Established over 20 years ago, Landscope Engineering Ltd is a multi-disciplinary survey company, specialising in integrated survey solutions above ground, below ground, and underwater. The company earned PUMA accreditation earlier this year.
Mark White, the company’s commercial director, provides some insights into Landscope’s experience of becoming PUMA accredited.
PUMA has really been a question of formalising and documenting our standard practices; providing customers with the highest level of confidence that our utility surveys are being delivered to industry standards
What is your involvement with utility surveys?
LandScope regularly undertakes utility mapping surveys in line with PAS128:2022 guidance. We undertake a variety of utility surveys, ranging from large scale military bases, road improvement schemes and utility network providers to smaller projects of varying complexity. Our capability extends into the marine environment, leveraging our specialised sensors to locate underwater cables and pipes.
Why do you think PUMA is important?
As a leader in the geospatial sector, Landscope prides itself on being an early adopter of new standards and technology; we were an early adopter of GPR technology for utility mapping back in 2004 (prior to PAS128 guidelines being introduced). This mind-set was a primary reason that becoming PUMA accredited appealed to us.
Prior to PUMA, it would have been challenging for industry customers to have confidence that a requested utility survey would meet PAS128 compliance (unless familiar with PAS128 specifications). We believe that adoption of PUMA across the sector will help drive an increase in quality and compliance, across the industry.
How did you find the process of applying for accreditation?
It was very encouraging to discover that during the on-site audit, the competent assessor would ask probing questions, challenging our established procedures. It was certainly not a simple tick box exercise!
We found the entire process rather enjoyable. It was affirming to learn that we have been exceeding the PAS128 requirements as standard. Working towards PUMA accreditation has meant that we can now further evidence our professional standards.
What impact do you think being PUMA accredited has had/ will have on your business?
From a commercial perspective, we operate in a highly competitive market. We hope that PUMA will help ensure fairness when competing with other PUMA accredited suppliers, giving clients the confidence that quoted surveys will be competed to an equivalent standard. PUMA goes a long way in supporting rates that are commensurate with our profession – something all competent survey companies will benefit from.
What advice would you give anyone thinking about starting an application for PUMA accreditation?
As PUMA becomes more widely adopted, leading to an increase in client awareness, PUMA will very quickly become a commercial prerequisite. Ensuring survey businesses conform to the standard will help to reverse the current race to the bottom practices, compromising quality and safety.
As well as the commercial advantage, going through the PUMA accreditation process is an excellent way of auditing your internal procedures, giving the organisation confidence in both their employees and general working practices.
To find out more about PUMA, please go to https://www.tsa-uk.org.uk/puma/.
