Meet Our People: Michael Askwith Lead Surveyor

It all started in 2015 when I joined as a Junior Surveyor, completely new to the field. Initially, I worked with a disto and tablet conducting area-measurement surveys and, in 2018, I was promoted to Surveyor. It was around the same time mobile scanning technology was introduced which revolutionised our workflows and dramatically increased efficiencies on-site.

I was promoted to Lead Surveyor in 2022, and it was at that time I decided to pursue a degree and enrolled in the BSc (Hons) Surveying and Mapping Sciences programme at the University of East London. Seeing a colleague take the plunge inspired me and I figured I wasn’t getting any younger, so why not earn a degree while working? Since then, I’ve formed a great network of peers and even recommended two of them for jobs at Plowman Craven!

As a Lead Surveyor I oversee large survey portfolios, ensuring high-quality outputs. While I occasionally go on-site, whether to meet clients or lead complex projects, I'm now primarily office-based, managing projects and ensuring we maintain consistency across all deliverables.

Additionally, I supervise a number of surveyors including those in our graduate rotation scheme. Another key part of my role is onboarding new subcontractors, from meeting them on-site, evaluating their work, and providing feedback.

However, back in 2019, to broaden my knowledge, I began working as a Railway Surveyor on weekends with Plowman Craven’s rail team, and it's a role I continue to do.

On a typical office day my morning will start with a team meeting to assign projects and address any potential challenges. I might also have additional project meetings in the morning.

The rest of the day is usually spent on project QA and processing incoming surveys. I frequently liaise with our Project Managers and advise on technical issues or queries which may arise.

Keen attention to detail is absolutely essential. Even the smallest errors can have significant consequences in our industry. Everyone makes mistakes, we're all human, but being able to catch and correct them is expected.

Surprisingly, my favorite project wasn’t from my usual work hours. It was a railway project for the electrification of Cardiff and the surrounding valleys. For six months, I travelled to Cardiff every weekend with a dedicated team. I became very familiar with the M4!

Seeing the progress unfold and knowing we were contributing to a significant infrastructure upgrade was incredibly rewarding. It was a real, tangible change to the country, and I was proud to be a part of it.

Being a Lead Surveyor alongside my colleague, Rhys Whitbread, for the massive ArchCo project. Managing a 5,000-property portfolio during COVID-19 was incredibly challenging, but we adapted our working methods to meet the deadline and budget. I’m proud of how we developed our team during that time.

Looking ahead, I hope my proudest achievement in a year’s time will be completing my degree with first-class honors!

The flexible working arrangements are a huge plus, especially being able to work remotely. It provides a great work-life balance. Also, I’ve been fortunate to take part in the Apprenticeship Scheme, which has helped me grow professionally and build valuable industry connections.

Yes, I’m an avid biker! Rain or shine, I’ll be turning up on my bike - it also saves a lot of commuting time. Last year, my sister and I signed up for the London 10K. I went from being a complete novice to comfortably running 10K without feeling exhausted. During training, I also managed to lose 15 kilos!

"Some days you’re the bug, some days you’re the windscreen." It’s a great reminder that some days will be tough, but perspective is key to handling challenges with grace.

I’m studying for a BSc (Hons) in Surveying and Mapping Sciences via the Geospatial and Mapping Science Degree at the University of East London. The program lasts four and a half years, followed by a six-month accreditation period with either CiCES or RICS.

There’s a structured framework in place to ensure apprentices gain relevant experience, with quarterly advisor check-ins to keep us on track. The time investment is significant - my dissertation alone requires at least 400 hours over six months.

The degree isn’t just focused on land surveying. We’ve covered topics like sea surveying and ground engineering, which have broadened my understanding of large-scale infrastructure projects. Another great aspect is the connections I’ve made with apprentices from various surveying companies.

My dissertation is focused on building a business case for "Replacing the Geoslam Revo RT with the NavVis MLX mobile mapping system". I’m enjoying the process because it goes beyond day-to-day surveying - it’s about shaping the future of our workflows.

It also gives me a deeper understanding of how different processes interconnect and contribute to overall business efficiency. I'm really enjoying the journey so far.