Tony Barrowclough

“If you can handle the winter, you’ll love the summer — that’s what I tell every trainee.”

For Tony Barrowclough, surveying was never the plan — but like so many great surveyors, he fell into it by accident and never looked back. An outdoor job with a bit of office time sounded perfect when he was restless at college. One winter in the field confirmed it: surveying was exactly the right mix of hands-on, outdoors and practical problem-solving he’d been looking for.

Tony started out at CSL Surveys, where he learned the ropes under three directors who would later set up Terrain Surveys. In 2007, keen for a fresh challenge — and to do things “the right way” — Tony followed them to Terrain. Nearly two decades later, he’s helped shape the business and countless surveyors’ careers along the way.

Today, Tony’s still on site leading major projects, but training is at the heart of what he does. He’s mentored everyone from brand new starters to experienced surveyors levelling up their skills. For Tony, watching people he’s trained grow into confident professionals — whether they stay at Terrain or spread their wings elsewhere — is one of his proudest achievements. “It shows we’ve done something right,” he says.

As Terrain expands into the Midlands, Tony’s next chapter will see him heading up the new office, helping to win new work and keep Terrain’s reputation for doing things properly front and centre — no shortcuts, no cut corners. He’s also stepping into quoting and networking, proving you’re never too experienced to learn something new.

When he’s not training the next generation, Tony’s happiest watching his beloved Arsenal (or dreaming of playing for them), cooking up a proper lamb bhuna, or getting lost in a Terry Pratchett novel. Just don’t expect him to give up his trusty tape measure anytime soon — even the best tech can’t beat the classics.

Helping people realise what they’re capable of — and seeing them pass that on.

Dennis Bergkamp and Terry Pratchett — two geniuses in very different fields.

Footballer, naturally. Or maybe a journalist covering the beautiful game.

Surveyor. Trainer. Mentor. Tony’s living proof that a great culture lasts when good people build it — and pass it on.