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Geographically, the South West is the largest English region, encompassing Bristol, Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Gloucestershire, Somerset, Wiltshire, and the Isles of Scilly. The Bailiwicks of Jersey and Guernsey are also included within this RICS region.
South West Regional Board
UK Regional Boards are an integral part of the RICS governance structure, facilitating a multi-way flow of information between the central RICS, World Regional Board, and members.
Boards also work closely with the UK market team to advise and support engagement activities tailored to the specific priorities of the region.
Senior Director, Tuffin Ferraby Taylor (TFT) Ltd
Jay Ridings is a Senior Director and a chartered building surveyor (MRICS) and leads the technical due diligence service line, as well as contributing to the TFT leadership groups for fund monitoring and fire safety. Jay has a keen interest in developing and improving TFT’s reporting, adopting the latest technology to communicate survey findings, streamlining the TDD process to assist transactions and providing holistic, commercial advice, integrating all of TFT’s specialisms. Jay has many years of experience having worked for JLL and Watts in London before moving to Bristol. He is on the RICS Built Environment Journal editorial panel and has spoken regularly for the RICS on technical due diligence in commercial property, the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) and dilapidations. Jay is also a RICS APC Assessor and has recently joined the RICS’ global sector advisory group for building.
Partner, Montagu Evans
Amy, a Partner at Montagu Evans, is passionate about the RICS and has a long-standing connection to the South West. She is committed to supporting the profession in the region, helping to maintain the trust and relevance of RICS in the eyes of both the public and our members. Amy also works with APC Success, training and mentoring graduate surveyors as they prepare for their APC. She believes this is vital to ensuring a strong and diverse pipeline of future professionals. ‘Joining the South West Regional Board gives me the opportunity to contribute to the profession in a meaningful way and support its continued evolution and impact.’
Head of Commercial Assets, Exeter City Council
Ben is currently Head of Commercial Assets at Exeter City Council and brings a wealth of regeneration, development and transaction structuring experience. He commenced his career at CB Richard Ellis as a Director in the Regeneration Team in London and since then has worked in senior level strategic and delivery roles at Cornwall Council, Cabinet Office and West Midlands Combined Authority. Ben’s current role is particularly focussed on establishing successful partnership arrangements and identifying deliverable solutions which drive value for money and operational efficiencies. Key projects which he is leading on include the Civic Centre Relocation Project, CityPoint, Water Lane and the commercial structuring with Exeter Energy concerning the delivery of a citywide heat network. Ben is MRICS, MRTPI, MAPM and CIHCM professionally accredited.
Head of Design Services & Projects, States of Guernsey
James, a Chartered Building Surveyor, began his career in the South West and qualified in Bristol. He’s lived in Guernsey for 12 years and worked in Jersey too. Before moving to the Channel Islands, he managed projects in the UK, Europe, and offshore territories, including the CI’s, Isle of Man, and Gibraltar. James leads a diverse team of over 20 property and construction professionals responsible for maintaining and upgrading a portfolio of properties valued at C£1Bn. He maintains relationships with local construction industry groups to improve the industry’s profile and ensure fair quality and cost offerings. He’s interested in attracting future generations to the RICS and the construction industry. James is a family man with two children at university in the UK. He’s a lifelong volunteer involved in the search and rescue community for over 12 years, both with the RNLI and Channel Islands Airsearch. He’s a British Cycling Coach and supports the Guernsey Velo Club Academy. He also enjoys racing and biking when time permits.
Director, Hayden Associates
Emily, a Chartered Building Surveyor with over 14 years of experience in the property and construction industry, has expertise across various sectors, including residential schemes, leisure, tourism, and hospitality. She has delivered prestigious projects, such as award-winning heritage schemes The Box in Plymouth and The Market Hall in Devonport, Plymouth, and led on the award-winning, highly sustainable West Carclaze Garden Village. Recently, she led Treveth’s net-zero housing scheme at Tolgus, Redruth. Emily’s passion for heritage buildings stems from her experience at home in her Grade II Listed cob cottage. She also explores and promotes natural building materials as a sustainable construction for the future.
Associate Partner, Michelmore Hughes/Stags
Richard specialises in rural property, managing estates and properties in Devon and Cornwall. He provides strategic advice, handles landlord and tenant matters, residential property management, rural grant schemes, and general practice. He enjoys solving problems and offers dispute resolution, valuation, and expert witness advice. Richard is passionate about the environment and is expanding his knowledge of natural capital, regenerative farming, carbon capture, and trading. Raised on a South Hams dairy farm, Richard trained with Stratton & Holborow (S&H) in Plymouth. After 10 years as a resident agent with the National Trust in Oxfordshire and Exmoor, he returned to S&H in Exeter, where he became a Director of Savills through merger. In his spare time Richard loves messing around in boats and is never happier than when in, on, and under the water. He also enjoys country sports, gardening and cricket. As a “born again” runner he is busy exploring the Devon lanes.
Associate Director, Ekkist
Will is a Chartered Commercial Property Surveyor and WELL Accredited Professional (AP) working for Ekkist, the UK’s first health and well-being consultancy for the built environment. Will advises developers on how to prioritise health and well-being in the design, delivery, and operation of their buildings. Prior to joining Ekkist, Will spent over six years working with a property investment and development firm, where he managed a wide range of development and construction projects. Whilst working here he completed an MSc at the Bartlett School of Sustainable Construction where he wrote a paper on how office environments impact our health. A passionate advocate for creating spaces that positively impact our health, Will contributed to the RICS Guidance document, which highlights key health considerations in the design and management of buildings. Will also regularly speaks on podcasts and has recently been a keynote speaker at prominent industry events, including UK Construction Week and the WDBE conferences in Helsinki and Tallinn.
Head of Built Environment and Impact Initiatives, Oxygen House Ltd
Emma joined the RICS board to help promote sustainability, diversity, and inclusion in the construction and property industry, and to support the next generation of RICS members. She believes collaboration across the sector is key to driving positive change and creating a more inclusive and sustainable future. With an education background in environmental science, Emma has built her career in construction, housing, and property. She brings a strong focus on sustainability and is committed to making the built environment more environmentally and socially responsible.
Senior Lecturer in Urban Economics and Real Estate, University of the West of England
Grazyna, a Senior Lecturer in Urban Economics and Real Estate at the University of the West of England, teaches across various built environment RICS accredited undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. Her 20-year experience in real estate consultancy at EY, PwC, and KPMG in the UK, Europe, and Australia has made her a Chartered Valuation Surveyor, RICS assessor, and past member of RICS governing bodies in Poland and Australia. She is also a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. As Vice-President Europe of the Commonwealth Association of Surveying and Land Economy and Trustee of the Aubrey Barker Fund, she contributes to sustainable survey and land management skills in developing countries.
Commercial Director, Arcadis
Peter in Experienced Quantity Surveyor with a demonstrated history of working in the construction industry at various levels and in various sectors. ‘I am passionate about the value the RICS can bring to projects and stakeholders. By joining the SWRB I am particularly keen to network and encourage members from infrastructure and less traditional sectors to become actively engaged with RICS to help shape the region.’
Associate Director, Maillard & Co
Alex, a MRICS-qualified building surveyor, now resides in Jersey after years of working in London and the South East. As Head of Surveying at Maillard & Co., he brings a practical, client-focused approach to commercial, retail, industrial, and prime residential sectors. ‘I am passionate about mentoring future talent, supporting professional development, and ensuring the Channel Islands’ perspectives are represented within the wider South West region.’
Member Engagement Manager, RICS
Graham has been with RICS since 2012, the majority of this time has been spent working in a member engagement role. He is currently the Member Engagement Manager for the East Midlands and South West regions (including the Channel Islands), working in partnership with the regional boards and local member groups to deliver a tailored plan of engagement and advocacy activity.
Local member networks
Informal member-driven, RICS-supported committees that provide local networking and CPD opportunities to our community of professionals.
Active groups:
If you would like to get involved with an existing group or are interested in launching a network near you, please contact us.
Our early careers community is designed to support students, apprentices, trainees and those who are newly qualified as they move into the industry.
Current RICS Matrics local committees operate in:
Project Surveyor, Classic Builders
Kasia is a Chartered Quantity Surveyor working for South West-based Main Contractor Classic Builders. She became chartered in 2020 and previously held the role of RICS Matrics Cornwall Chair. Now, she serves as the regional Chair for RICS Matrics UK, Wales and South West, overseeing committees in Cornwall, Devon, Bristol, and Cardiff. Kasia is passionate about supporting and encouraging new members into the profession, inspiring the next generation of surveyors.
Local events
The myRICS Community has been designed to create fantastic networking opportunities and to be the main hub for all built environment professionals. Find links to standards and guidance, consultations and insight papers, as well as discussion forums to connect with other professionals working in your field.
Call: +44 (0)24 7686 8555
