ISSE: The Gold Standard for Specialist Surveying Professionals
The Institute of Specialist Surveyors & Engineers (ISSE) stands as a leading professional body exclusively dedicated to niche-sector expertise, including building pathology, damp and timber, and façade retrofit. It provides a crucial guarantee that its members are not just generally qualified professionals but genuinely skilled and accredited specialists in these intricate fields. Unlike broader professional institutes where a post-nominal doesn’t always "guarantee what it says on the tin," ISSE rigorously vets its members. This ensures that every person within its specialist surveying sectors is a truly capable expert.
ISSE's commitment to quality is underscored by its ABBE (Awarding Body for the Built Environment) Approved Centre status, meaning its courses and exams are rigorously quality-assured. Furthermore, its qualifications are Ofqual-regulated, ensuring they appear on the national framework for wide recognition by employers and insurers. As a not-for-profit organisation, ISSE reinvests any surplus directly into vital research, standards development, and training for its members. This unique guarantee of dedicated specialist competence ensures buyers receive the most reliable and trustworthy advice in complex areas of property.
Andrew McColl’s Involvement
Andrew McColl is a proud Fellow (FISSE) of this prestigious organisation, a recognition of his 30+ years of hands-on defect investigation and expertise. His involvement extends beyond membership, as he serves as an Advisor to the ISSE Main Board, providing crucial guidance on compliance, governance, and consumer protection. Andrew is also set to become an Incoming Non-Executive Director for Compliance & Governance, with a formal appointment expected in Q4 2025. His remit in this role will be to strengthen further the Continuous Professional Development (CPD) audit processes, enhance complaints handling, and reinforce the ethical framework within the organisation.
“ISSE members are the people you call when a ‘mystery damp patch’ beats the textbook,” Andrew McColl says. “As a Fellow and soon NED, my goal is to lock in first-class governance so that clients, insurers, and lenders can trust every ISSE report.” Andrew's dual role, leading the RPSA and advising ISSE, allows him to foster close alignment across the industry, ensuring consistent high standards and consumer protection from multiple angles. Furthermore, Andrew's position on the council of the Construction Industry Council (CIC) underlines his high-status and influential role at the very top level of the wider construction industry, actively contributing to cross-sector best practices.
Collaboration with Dr. Aaron Marriner Clark
Andrew's commitment to advancing specialist surveying is further exemplified by his collaboration with AMSurveys' very own Dr. Aaron Marriner Clark. As an ISSE Director and Head of Education, Dr. Marriner Clark works closely with Andrew on pivotal initiatives that are defining future standards for the profession. Together, they are instrumental in:
- Launching the UK’s first Level 3 Diploma in New-Build Snagging, an ISSE / ABBE qualification that will be Ofqual-listed. This landmark diploma will provide a formalised, rigorous qualification for new build snagging inspectors, raising the bar for this specific service.
- Developing modular CPD in crucial areas such as façade assessment, condensation risk, and retrofit quality assurance, ensuring surveyors stay at the cutting edge of industry knowledge.
- Expanding online learning opportunities, making it easier for regional surveyors to up-skill and gain valuable qualifications without the need to travel extensively or leave their sites for extended periods.
These new courses are slated to open for enrolment in spring 2026, with pilot cohorts expected to be drawn from both RPSA and CABE membership.
Why This Matters for AMSurveys Clients
The deep involvement of AMSurveys team with ISSE directly translates into enhanced benefits for our clients:
- Deep diagnostics: ISSE training goes beyond simply stating "further investigation required"; our surveyors are trained to find root causes, not just symptoms, providing truly actionable advice for complex defects like damp or structural issues.
- Assured qualifications: The Ofqual seal on ISSE qualifications means that your bank, insurer, or warranty provider will recognise and accept our reports with confidence, knowing the rigour behind the accreditation.
- Specialist Expertise: This collaboration defines best practice for crucial niche areas, including the identification of latent defects in new builds before warranties expire, and providing expert insights into building pathology.
- Continuous compliance: Andrew’s governance remit within ISSE ensures that member standards are under constant review, providing an additional layer of assurance regarding the quality and ethics of ISSE-qualified professionals.
Looking for an ISSE-Qualified Specialist?
Contact AMSurveys to book a specialist who embodies knowledge, credibility, and a commitment to consumer protection, all in one visit:
- New-Build Snagging Inspections: Conducted by experts trained to the highest standards, including those undertaking the new Level 3 Diploma.
- Damp & Timber Diagnostics: Utilising advanced ISSE methodology for precise identification and recommendations.
- Building Pathology & Defect Analysis: For in-depth investigation and resolution of complex building problems.
- Governance-Grade Compliance Audits: Available for developers or housing associations seeking robust internal compliance reviews.
