Our Journey
Why APSAS was formed and its mission to improve asset surveying.
The mission & purpose of APSAS
Competence
Establishing and promoting clear, recognised levels of professional competence across the industry. APSAS would help define standards for asset surveyors at the basic, intermediate, and advanced levels, ensuring that all professionals had a clear and measurable path for career growth.
Progression
Providing a well-defined career pathway, with structured training, assessments, and practical experience to guide individuals through the various stages of their professional development.
Attraction
Attracting new talent to the profession, ensuring that future asset surveyors possess the skills and knowledge necessary to excel, while retaining existing professionals by offering continuous development opportunities.
2019
The vision that started APSAS
In 2019, a conversation between Mark Spilling (Assets55) and Matthew Steptoe (TSA Surveying), sparked a vision: to professionalise the asset surveying industry and address the ongoing challenges that plagued the sector.
These discussions were born out of a growing concern about the industry perception of the standard of asset surveying and the opportunities that were available for new surveyors to enter the industry.
These challenges were not just technical — they also reflected a deeper issue of professionalism in the sector. Mark and Matthew recognised the urgent need for change. The industry needed a way to establish clearly defined professional standards, enhance surveyor competency, and improve quality across the board.
The challenges asset surveyors face
The asset surveying industry faces widespread challenges:
Inconsistent asset data and errors in survey reports
Missing or incorrectly classified assets, leading to data fragmentation
Inaccurate and incomplete asset registers that were costly to produce
Inconsistent terminology and data formatting, with no standard language across the industry
Poorly maintained asset inventories and unclear policies around asset management
A lack of long-term financial planning to support strategic decisions
Clear skill gaps, especially when it came to understanding key standards like SFG20 PPMs
2020 - 2023
Laying the Groundwork
Over the next few years, Mark and Matthew began to bring together a broader group of industry professionals to address these challenges, including Mark Whittaker and Vanessa Mason (Thomson FM), and Karl Horner (Mobiess).
Roundtable discussions were held with asset surveying professionals, organisations, and stakeholders to identify common problems and develop a shared vision for the future.
The idea of an industry-wide collaboration started to take shape — a platform where professionals could come together to create new standards, share best practices, and ensure continuous improvement. The collaboration was guided by key industry bodies such as the Institute of Workplace and Facilities Management (IWFM) and the Institute of Asset Management (IAM).
2025
The birth of APSAS
In February 2025, after years of collaboration and development, the Association of Professional Standards for Asset Surveying (APSAS) was officially launched.
2025 and beyond
Empowering the Future of Asset Surveying
In early 2025, APSAS continues to move forward, with the association finalising a comprehensive training manual for its members, available later in the year. The association is also developing a series of online training courses to make professional development more accessible and flexible.
With corporate membership and individual membership options now available, APSAS is building a community of professionals committed to raising the standards of asset surveying across the built environment. As more companies and individuals join the association, APSAS is becoming the leading force in professionalising the asset surveying sector.
APSAS’ ambitious aim is to professionalise the asset surveying industry, offer a defined competency-based career pathway, and attract a diverse range of new talent into the profession.
A big thank you to everyone who attended our roundtable events over the last two years and helped shape the association. We’re also incredibly grateful to all the companies who have already become Founding Members of APSAS.
The Journey Ahead
The creation of APSAS marks a turning point in the asset surveying industry. However this is just the start!
Through professionalism, clearly defined competency standards, and ongoing professional development, the association aims to solve the industry's long-standing issues, setting the stage for a more consistent, efficient, and skilled workforce.
By joining APSAS, individuals and organisations are contributing to the future of the profession, ensuring that asset surveying becomes a more reliable, respected, and high-quality discipline within the built environment.
