John Lane

John Lane has been with Terrain Surveys since the very beginning — in fact, he is one of the reasons Terrain exists at all. Back in 2004, John and two colleagues took the leap, leaving secure jobs to build a surveying company that would do things better, with honesty, teamwork and integrity at its core. Over two decades later, he’s proud to see those values still shaping every project, every day. John’s own journey into surveying didn’t start behind a desk. After an early stint in electrical engineering — which mostly involved long days shut away in a clean room with no windows — he knew he was better suited to being outdoors. A trainee role at a local surveying firm set him on a path that’s taken him across the country — and even to the Royal Palace in Amman, Jordan (in unexpected snow, no less). Today, John’s role has evolved from boots-on-the-ground surveyor to a steady hand guiding Terrain’s future. These days he’s focused on winning work, keeping standards high, and supporting the next generation of surveyors as they build their careers — just like he did. He’s especially proud that so many of Terrain’s senior team came through as apprentices, trained from the ground up. For John, that’s the legacy that matters most. Ask John what makes a good surveyor and he’ll tell you: an appetite for the outdoors (in all weathers), a sharp eye for detail, a head for practical maths — and the kind of team spirit you only get from mucking in together on rainy days in muddy fields. He’s seen the industry transform, from the days of drawing film and tape measures to today’s laser scanners, BIM models and (soon enough) AI-powered point clouds. But some things don’t change: the total station remains an essential bit of kit — and so does having the deep surveying knowledge to know when the clever tech might miss the mark. When he’s not helping steer Terrain’s growth, John’s usually dreaming up his next coastal getaway or unwinding with a Coen Brothers classic (The Big Lebowski always makes the cut). If he could host any dinner party, you’d find him sharing fish and chips with David Bowie and Stanley Kubrick — two creative legends whose work he’s always admired. Favourite survey? Measured building surveys — especially when there’s a 3D model to get stuck into. Favourite guiding principle? Keep it professional, keep it honest, keep it responsive. Favourite legacy? The people he’s helped shape Terrain into the company it is today. ________________________________________ John’s door is always open — whether you want to talk about surveys, apprenticeships, or whether Withnail and I really is the best British comedy ever made. siness.