Published: 11 Nov 2026
A record-breaking day for the Geospatial Survey Association! Friday’s GSA Conference & Awards Day in Coventry attracted more registered delegates than any event in the Association’s history, bringing the geospatial surveying community together for a day packed with inspiration, celebration and connection.
Hosted by Glenn Lickman, GSA Vice President, the event marked a major milestone as the Association’s first Conference & Awards Day under its new name. Delegates came together to celebrate outstanding talent, hear an inspirational keynote, share ideas and get the latest on The Geospatial Accord – the national campaign to put geospatial surveying firmly in the spotlight.
Celebrating the talent shaping our future
Developing the next generation of geospatial surveyors is vital to the future of our profession, and there was plenty to celebrate as we recognised the achievements of exceptional apprentices from across our training providers.
Best Apprentice Award – Level 3 Geospatial Survey Technician
- Dudley College of Technology: Jordan Leslie
- Suffolk New College: Aston Allsop
- Riverside College, Widnes: Nicholas Gamov
Best Apprentice Award – Level 6 Geospatial Mapping and Science Specialist Degree Apprenticeship
- University of East London: Jonathan Fadoju
We also celebrated the latest graduates from GSA Surveying Courses 65, 66 and 67 at The Survey School. Every student who successfully completed their course received a certificate – a fantastic achievement and an important step forward in their surveying careers.
Three graduates received special recognition:
- Vice President’s Award 2026: Loretta Lewis
- Best Assignment CICES Award 2026: Zara Dale
- Course Champion Award 2026: Charlie Finch
A huge congratulations to all our award winners and graduates. Your hard work, commitment and talent are exactly what our profession needs. We can’t wait to see what you achieve next!
Nicolas Hamilton: a powerful story of resilience and determination
Our keynote speaker, racing driver Nic Hamilton, delivered a truly memorable address that had delegates captivated.
He shared his extraordinary journey from wheelchair user to racing driver, culminating in winning the Jack Sears Trophy in the British Touring Car Championship earlier this year. His honest and moving account brought home the power of resilience, determination and refusing to accept limitations.
It was an inspiring reminder of what can be achieved when you keep pushing forward – and a talk that continued to generate conversation long after he left the stage.
The Geospatial Accord: building momentum, creating impact
The Geospatial Accord is the profession-wide national marketing campaign to raise the profile, recognition and value of geospatial surveying. With the campaign gathering momentum, delegates heard about the progress so far and, crucially, how the whole profession can help drive it forward.
An informative panel discussion brought together:
- Rachel Tyrrell, CEO of the Geospatial Survey Association
- Andy Beardsley, GSA Council Member and Taskforce Lead, and MD of Terra Measurement
- Kirsty Ostell, Managing Director of O Agency
A major highlight was the launch of the new Geospatial Accord toolkit, giving GSA Members ready-to-use marketing resources to champion the campaign through their own businesses and communications.
The message was clear: the more we speak with one voice, the louder our message will be. This is an opportunity for every Member to get involved, spread the word and help put geospatial surveying where it belongs.
The whole GSA Membership have been sent links to the toolkit with many already using the content on social media.
Rachel Tyrrell, CEO of GSA, said:
“The Geospatial Accord is at its strongest when the whole profession speaks with one voice. The toolkit makes that easy, and we’d encourage every Member to download it and start using it in their own marketing.”
United against survey equipment theft
Survey equipment theft continues to have a significant impact on businesses across the sector. Mark Wakeling of Plowman Craven brought delegates up to date on the latest progress in tackling this persistent problem and the ongoing work to protect the industry’s valuable equipment.
Stronger together: making connections that count
Great events are about more than what’s on the programme. They create opportunities to reconnect, exchange ideas, build relationships and make new connections.
The networking throughout the day was a powerful reminder of what makes our professional community so valuable. Bringing members, partners, training providers and the next generation of surveyors together reinforces the strength of our sector and the importance of working collectively.
A record-breaking event, outstanding achievements and a profession with plenty to celebrate.
A huge thank you to everyone who made the day such a success – our speakers, panellists, award winners, graduates, training providers, Glenn Lickman as our host and, of course, every delegate who joined us in Coventry.
This was a fantastic way to celebrate our first year as the Geospatial Survey Association. The energy, enthusiasm and commitment in the room showed just what we can achieve when we come together.
