In this episode I am joined by Ola Alade, a chartered commercial surveyor and RICS Matrics Commercial Property Surveyor of the Year 2025. Ola shares how he went from biomedical science to commercial property, and why he has chosen to focus his work on helping small businesses understand and negotiate their commercial leases.

We talk about AI in surveying, from the reality on the ground in property firms to the tools that are already saving time for small practices. We also get into access, diversity and retention in the surveying profession, and Ola’s work as an APC counsellor, assessor and chair.

What We Cover

• From biomedical science to commercial surveying
• Discovering property via CoStar and NHS Property Services
• Working at The Arch Company and negotiating directly with small business tenants
• Why Ola founded Olawill and chose to sit on the tenant side
• How commercial leases and rent reviews really affect SMEs
• Where AI tools actually help surveyors and small businesses today
• Data, hallucinations and negligence risks in AI-assisted professional practice
• Why the word “surveyor” confuses people and how that affects recruitment
• Diversity, progression and the reality of representation in senior roles
• Making the APC interview process fairer as a counsellor, assessor and chair

Guest Links

• Olawill – Lease advisory for SMEs
• Connect with Ola on LinkedIn

Guest Bio

Ola Olade is a chartered commercial surveyor and founder of Olawill, a lease advisory practice focused on supporting small and medium-sized businesses. After an early academic path in biomedical science, he retrained in real estate development at the University of Westminster and built his career across roles at CoStar, NHS Property Services, The Arch Company and LCP. Ola has worked extensively in asset management and lease events, particularly with SME tenants in railway arches and neighbourhood parades, which inspired him to focus on redressing the knowledge imbalance between landlords and tenants. In 2025 he was named RICS Matrics Chartered Commercial Property Surveyor of the Year. He also serves as an APC counsellor, assessor and chair, helping the next generation of surveyors navigate the chartership process.

If you want to connect with surveyors across the UK and keep up with the profession, join The Surveying Room. It is free to join and open to all types of surveyors, students, and professionals who work with them. Surveyors UK & The Surveying Room

Connect with me - Nina Young on LinkedIn