Tom Harvey-James from Groundsure

In this episode of the Cornwall Innovation Centre podcast, Rebecca Loto speaks with Tom Harvey-James from Groundsure, a conveyancing report company that helps solicitors assess property risks including mining, flooding, and contaminated land. Being based in Penryn Innovation Centre puts Groundsure right in the heart of mining country, making their expertise particularly valuable in Cornwall. Tom explains what conveyancing reports actually do and why they matter, especially when buying a property. The conversation covers some fascinating and surprising Cornish mining law. Rebecca discovers that when you buy a house in Cornwall, you don't necessarily own the land beneath it. Much of it is owned by the Duchy of Cornwall or private estates, meaning mineral rights can still exist below your home. Tom breaks down how this works in practice. Tom shares what he does in his role, how Groundsure combines hundreds-of-year-old mine plans with modern lidar surveys to assess risk, and where they source historical mining data from record offices. He also explains M-type aggregate, a Cornish building material issue that's causing problems for homeowners today. The discussion touches on the team's culture, including volunteer days supporting different charities throughout the year, and how they maintain connections between the Cornwall office (about 15 people) and their Brighton headquarters. Personal highlights include Tom's charity cycling challenges and his love of climbing. To learn more about Groundsure or discuss property reports and mining assessments, contact Cornwall Innovation Centre.