Martin Harrington: Managing Director, NavVis (UK&I)
Martin has, quite literally, built his career from the ground up! Originally an archaeologist, he evolved into a senior land surveyor with a heritage focus and later a technical sales specialist for Leica. Now MD at NavVis, Martin is pushing the boundaries of reality capture and laser scanning using their state-of-the-art hardware and software.
How did your interest in surveying as a career develop?
I developed my interest in surveying in another life as an archaeologist. Using GNSS and Total Stations for setting out and basic topographical surveying, I then moved into a role as a Junior Surveyor with a dedicated geospatial business, where I was exposed to laser scanning and from that point I didn’t really look back!
What is a key memory from your time spent studying at The Survey School?
I have very fond memories of The Survey School and am still in contact with a number of fellow classmates who have established themselves as geospatial professionals at various organisations. Studying at the School taught me the fundamentals of surveying, but also promoted a strong team ethic and sense of community that I continue to see within the profession.
What was the most valuable lesson you learned from your time with us?
It’s a really bad idea to enjoy Worcester’s late night drinking venues prior to a day of reducing angles and manually calculating traverse closures…!
But, in all seriousness, I think undertaking the course and studying whilst working full-time and spending extended periods away from home, made me more resilient and able to cope more effectively with multitasking, which is very helpful in my current role.
What is it about your current role that you enjoy and value most?
I really enjoy showing people technologies that can have a truly transformative effect on their businesses and testing the equipment to the limit (and sometimes beyond!) in challenging environments – scanning everything from aeroplanes to underground mines; castles to sports stadiums.
How would you describe your career in three words?
Unexpected. Immersive. Interesting.
How do you encourage others to get involved in the surveying profession?
I studied humanities at college and university and had very little knowledge of geospatial surveying until I began working as an archaeologist. Through technological innovation, and broader interest in and demand for spatial intelligence, I like to communicate that this is a really interesting moment for the geospatial profession – a great time to get involved!
If you could give your younger self career advice now, what would it be?
It’s easier than you think to forget about the things that didn’t go so well – difficult or uncomfortable moments won’t last very long!
Do you have any exciting projects you’re working on that you’re able to share with us?
Yes! There are always really impressive things happening at NavVis, with regular software enhancements and product development. One of the best parts of my role is working with the product team, helping to shape the next generation of Survey, Reality Capture and Reality Access technologies so… watch this space!
What has been your most memorable project to work on?
I’ve been really fortunate to work on some of the most amazing projects and I’ve visited every county in England over the years, so it’s difficult to choose one individual project or place. I’ve been to the top of the Shard, measuring slab deflection and I’ve been over a kilometre underground, scanning the extremities of a mine. I’ve scanned at film studios and I’ve worked at the Houses of Parliament in my time as a surveyor.
Scanning every platform on the Piccadilly Line 15 years ago was a highlight, and I have particular fondness for the heritage projects and historic royal palaces that I have been involved in measuring and documenting. The vast array of different projects, people and places has, and continues to be, the appeal.
What has been your proudest career moment?
I am proud to have built something from very little in my current role.