SolR Update

Simon Harth
Jul 10
3 min read

July 2025

Welcome to the July 2025 edition of the SoLR Update.

Careers

Would you like to attract new colleagues?

The SoLR Careers Sub-committee are pleased to launch our new Job Vacancies portal which aims to bring land referencer vacancies together alongside our professional identity and attract new talent into our industry.

SoLR Job Vacancies

Professional Engagement

Land with Certainty Conference 2025

Our Professional Engagement Sub-committee has confirmed the agenda for our conference on 18 September 2025 and our Community Sub-committee have booked the venue for our London Evening Networking event, which will follow the conference and be held aboard the Tattershall Castle, which is moored alongside Victoria Embankment in London, a short hop on the District Line.

Speakers have been confirmed and tickets will go on sale shortly once the final sponsors are confirmed. If you would like to sponsor the conference, please contact chair@solr.or.uk

Read more and register for updates

The Royal Geographical Society (with IBG) has launched its Professional Pathway to Chartered Geographer.

This new programme offers early career geography professionals a structured development route to becoming a Chartered Geographer - the only internationally recognised accreditation for geographers.

Staged by year, the programme provides a comprehensive framework of activities, resources, mentoring, targeted advice, peer support and networking opportunities to help advance your professional development.

To be eligible for the Professional Pathway, you must be a professional using geographical knowledge and skills in your work and committed to maintaining a record of continuing professional development in the RGS-IBG’s ‘MyCPD’, to be reviewed annually by the Society. You also need to become a Fellow (or an Associate Fellow) of the RGS-IBG: https://www.rgs.org/join-us.

Find out more and register at: Professional Pathway to Chartered Geographer - RGS. You can register at any point before making your Chartership application.

Supporting staff on the Professional Pathway also provides an opportunity for employers to offer structured support for their geographical specialists, with the help of the Royal Geographical Society (with IBG). Employers can register for free as a Professional Pathway to Chartered Geographer Employer, and can embed the Professional Pathway into their career development schemes.

Find out more at the upcoming webinars Upcoming events - RGS or contact the RGS-IBG for further information at profession@rgs.org.

Community

Tribute to Kevin Wood

It is with great sadness that, last week, we learnt of the passing of SoLR member Kevin Wood. Kevin was involved in the Land Referencing industry for 20+ years, working on a number of large referencing projects including Crossrail and HS2.

Raj Randhawa shares his memories of Kevin ‘Kevin (the yes man), was a true professional when it came to land referencing, his knowledge and willingness to share it with colleagues especially the graduates was commendable. I had worked with Kevin on numerous DCO’s CPO’s TWA’s & hybrid Bill and many many technical site visits together up and down the country. He was not only a colleague but a genuine friend meeting up for a drink or two at Old Joint Stock leaving me with everlasting fond and sometimes funny memories’.

Our thoughts are with his family, friends and colleagues.

Clean Air Day 2025

In June, SoLR members proudly joined thousands across the UK in celebrating Clean Air Day 2025, the nation’s largest campaign dedicated to raising awareness about air pollution and promoting cleaner, healthier environments.

Led by the environmental charity Global Action Plan, Clean Air Day has grown since its inception in 2017 to become a powerful movement for change. This year’s theme focused on empowering communities to take local action and advocate for cleaner air, especially in areas most affected by pollution.

In true SoLR spirit, our incredible volunteers from rolled up their sleeves and stepped out into the sunshine for a community litter pick around Cave Hill in Belfast and in Birmingham city centre. With gloves on and bags in hand, the team worked together to improve local spaces, reduce pollution, and raise awareness about the link between litter, air quality, and public health.

Why it matters: Air pollution is linked to serious health issues including asthma, heart disease, and even premature death. By removing litter and reducing pollutants in our environment, we’re not just tidying up, we’re actively contributing to a cleaner, safer atmosphere for the local communities we work in.

A huge thank you to everyone who took part!