RICS in Wales

Meet the Board

Matt Haynes

Associate Director, Glyndwr Consultancy Limited

Matt is a chartered quantity surveyor and is employed as an Associate Director at Glyndwr Consulting Limited, based in South Wales. Matt has experience with residential, health, education and blue light sectors. As Chair of the board Matt provides oversight and support to the delivery of RICS’s objectives and strategy across Wales. Working closely with RICS leadership Matt is passionate about APC support, engagement and ensuring the voices of Welsh members are heard.

Carwyn Rees MRICS FAAV

Operational & Strategic Estate Manager/Chartered Surveyor, Pembrokeshire County Council

A dairy farmers’ son from Carmarthenshire who studied at Harper Adams University College and qualified as a Chartered Surveyor in 2014, joining Pembrokeshire County Council in June 2024. Carwyn’s areas of expertise include agricultural tenancy negotiations, agricultural sale and lettings, estate management, rural planning and negotiations with utility companies and the renewable energy sector on behalf of landowners and farmers. He leads the office in the management of caravan park and leisure businesses, not only in the office, but also with the family business at home. Carwyn Joined the Wales Board in the autumn of 2021 and is heavily involved with the West Wales membership branch.

Clive Ball

Head of Property, NHS Wales Shared Service Partnership – Specialist Estate Services

Clive is a Chartered General Practice Surveyor and is Head of Property for NHS Wales Shared Services Partnership – Specialist Estates Services. Clive has worked in the public sector (for the NHS and prior to that for the MOD) for more than 30 years, undertaking a wide range of professional work, especially in the field of disposals and acquisitions. Clive is a board member of Ystadau Cymru (which encourages excellence in active management of the Welsh public sector estate through strategic collaboration and good practice guidance) and a member, and former chair of the Welsh branch, of the Association of Chief Estates Surveyors (an association of senior Estate Surveyors and Property Managers sharing knowledge and experience and promoting best practice in the profession in the interest of the community and public services). Clive was instrumental in the delivery of a Real Estate degree course at the University of South Wales, which commenced in 2023 after a gap of 20+ years, and is keen to promote the surveying profession and the RICS to young people considering and making early career decisions.

Elizabeth Fox MSc MRICS RV

Principal Valuer, District Valuer Services

Elizabeth Fox MRICS is a Principal Valuer with District Valuer Services (DVS), the specialist property arm of the Valuation Office Agency (VOA). Chartered since 2016, she provides independent, impartial valuation and professional advice across Wales for a wide range of public sector clients. Elizabeth holds an MSc in Real Estate from the College of Estate Management - now the University of the Built Environment (formerly University College of Estate Management). Elizabeth’s experience spans land and property valuation - residential, commercial and development - alongside work on compulsory purchase (CPO) and development viability. She has managed a team of Chartered Surveyors covering the South West of England while continuing to deliver complex valuation assignments in Wales. In her current role, Elizabeth advises Central Government, Local Government and the Devolved Administration, and is responsible for managing and delivering the Ministry of Justice asset portfolio. She is an APC Assessor (first panel 2018) and has completed assessor refresher training, supporting candidates through robust, standardsled assessment. Since 2017, Elizabeth has served as an APC Supervisor and Counsellor, supporting candidates across Wales and in the South West. Elizabeth is passionate about Welsh language services and bilingual delivery and was Welsh Language Co-ordinator for the VOA between 2015 and 2021. She regularly attends school careers fairs and delivers university lectures to promote the profession. In 2025, she co-hosted an International Women’s Day discussion in Cardiff - focused on accelerating action and inclusion across the profession. During her time on the RICS Wales Regional Board, she is keen to champion diversity and inclusion across Wales.

Emma Williams MRICS

Technical Advisor, Valuation Office Agency

Emma is a Chartered Surveyor based in North Wales. She works as a technical advisor for the Valuation Office Agency providing advice to colleagues and other public bodies on rural and agricultural property valuation matters including Capital Taxation, Compulsory Purchase and acquisition / disposals purposes. Emma is an APC Councillor and Assessor and has demonstrated commitment to supporting others with career development and qualifications. Emma is a Welsh learner. Emma is passionate about helping the RICS Wales Board achieve the key goals including promoting the profession and supporting others in their career development.

Gareth Davies

Senior Director, Cummings Group

Gareth is Senior Director within the Cumming Group with over 28 years’ experience in the industry. Gareth has been involved in a wide range of sectors including infrastructure, blue light, leisure, regeneration, nuclear and education. Gareth became a Fellow of the RICS in 2024 following his Chartership in 2013. Gareth leads a team of Cost and Project Managers delivering key services across the UK and is focussed on supporting the RICS community and future talent in Wales.

Helen Edwards

Director, GL Hearn – Business Rates

I have over 35 years of experience in the provision of rating advice over a wide cross section of properties and began my career as a graduate surveyor with the Valuation Office based in Newport where I spent 10 years. In 2003 I joined Newmark (formerly known as Gerald Eve) where I spent over 20 years before taking up a new opportunity in May 2025 and joining WSP GL Hearn as a Director, based in Cardiff. My role involves advising clients on all aspects of rates management and mitigation, providing recommendations on rating strategy and providing budgetary advice where appropriate. I was elected to the committee of the Rating Surveyors Association in 2023 and am also an Executive Board Member of the Welsh branch of the IRRV. I sit on the Welsh Business Rates Forum which includes representatives of the Welsh Government, Valuation Office and other key stakeholders.

Lucy King

Owner and Founder, Gelar Property

Lucy King, is a qualified Chartered Surveyor with over 20 years commercial property experience across the UK and Europe. Lucy is the owner and founder of Property Consultancy Gelar Property. Lucy is fortunate enough to have worked in both private practice and client side for a number of corporate entities across the UK, including more recently as an Asset Manager for Halfords PLC. In her new guise Lucy is now proud to be working for some big blue chip occupier clients including Scoffs Group (One of Costa Coffee's largest franchisee), Linnaeus Veterinary Group owned by Mars Pet care, Helping Hands Home Care, Connells Group and Pure Electric to name but a few. Lucy represents businesses on their lease advisory matters including lease regears & renewals, rent reviews as well as strategic portfolio management.

Neal O'Leary BSc (Hons) MRICS

Programme Director, Welsh Government

Neal is a Chartered Building Surveyor and an RICS Wales Awards Judge with over 30 years’ experience in property investment, construction and estate management across private, public and third sector organisations. Currently employed as Programme Director for the Welsh Government’s £3.8bn Sustainable Communities for Learning Programme (formerly the 21st Century Schools and Colleges Programme) he has responsibility for the leadership and management of all infrastructure investment for education in Wales. Prior to returning to Education Infrastructure in 2019, Neal spent 11 years heading up Cadw’s Properties in Care, leading on conservation, strategic capital investment, FM and asset management. During this time he developed and implemented a strategy achieving a 43% reduction (2010-2019) in carbon emissions across 130 historic sites whilst visitor numbers and income generation reached record numbers. A member of Historic Scotland’s Estates Peer Review Board and a member of Ystadau Cymru Board. A former director (2010-2016) and Board Chair of Cambria Maintenance Services Ltd., leading the company through incorporation to one of industry recognised success, employing 130 staff delivering over £20m services. Neal sits on the Welsh Government’s ministerial-led Construction Forum and chairs the Buildings Sub-group leading the Decarbonisation and Procurement Sectoral Working Groups.

Nicola Hall

Senior Property Surveyor, Welsh Government

Nicola qualified as a Chartered Surveyor in 2005 during her time working in District Valuers Services, the Valuation Office Agency in Wales. Nicola has a wealth of knowledge and experience in the valuation of land and property across the North Wales region. In her current role Nicola manages the commercial property portfolio in North & Mid Wales for the Welsh Government Property Infrastructure department. Nicola has assisted many graduate surveyors during her career, naturing candidates through their APC journey to achieving full RICS membership. As a member of the RICS board Nicola promotes membership engagement and CPD events in North Wales.

Oisin Fitzpatrick FRICS

Commercial Director

Oisin is a Commercial Director at an international consultancy primarily working in infrastructure. He has long been passionate about our profession and sees the RICS Wales board as a conduit for members to have their voices heard and priorities addressed. He looks forward to collaborating with the board on achieving the RICS ambitions and encouraging the future generation of surveyors in Wales.

Sam Acres MRICS

Regional Director, AtkinsRéalis

Sam Acres is a highly motivated and accomplished Regional Director and Chartered Building Surveyor, leading the AtkinsRéalis Building Surveying team in Wales. With a career spanning over a decade at AtkinsRéalis, Sam oversees a multidisciplinary team of Building Surveyors, Building Services Engineers, and Net-Zero professionals in Wales as well as UK & India based delivery teams, ensuring delivery excellence and innovative solutions for clients and stakeholders in a safety-first environment. Sam has extensive experience in programme and project leadership, managing high-value and complex programmes across the UK, managing delivery teams spanning the UK, Ireland, and India. He has successfully directed major projects for clients across the public and private sectors within the buildings and places market, consistently delivering best-in-class technical outcomes and driving digital innovation in service delivery. In addition to his role at AtkinsRéalis, Sam serves as a Non-Executive Director on the RICS Wales Board, collaborating with industry leaders to advance the surveying profession in Wales. He holds a BSc (Hons) in Building Surveying, is a Member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (MRICS), and is committed to continuous improvement and the development of his teams.

Simon Yates

Managing Director, Rowfield

Simon is a dual qualified Chartered Quantity Surveyor and a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, with over 25 years’ experience in the construction industry. He is a Director at Rowfield Commercial, a firm that specialises in providing Commercial Management, Dispute Resolution and Project Services to the construction industry. Simon is a member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors’ Wales Board and the current Vice Chair of the Wales Branch of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (Chair 2020-2024). Prior to establishing Rowfield Commercial, Simon specialised in contract administration experiencing a range of project sectors and was appointed Contract Administrator on many projects with contract sums in excess of £100m and single projects up to £1bn. Simon is an experienced negotiator and dispute resolver and has a solid understanding of all of the major forms of construction contract including NEC, JCT and FIDIC. Where disputes occur, he favours using his in-depth contractual and legal knowledge to achieve amicable solutions. Simon is both a panel adjudicator, and a capable adjudication party representative and has acted in many disputes, drafting submissions, citing relevant case law and preparing quantum and extension of time claims. He is also an RICS Registered Expert Witness, having been certified by the RICS as both a competent author of independent expert reports and comfortable under cross examination. Academically, Simon holds a University Diploma in Surveying Practice, a Degree in Quantity Surveying, and a Master of Laws Degree in Construction Law and Adjudication with Distinction. He is also on the Approved Faculty List of Tutors (Adjudication Pathway) for the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators. He is a member of the Society of Construction Law and on the Adjudication Society’s South West Sub-Committee.

Tim Davies BSc(Hons) MRICS, MAE Cert, EW (Civil & Criminal)

Chartered Building Surveyor, RICS Registered Valuer

I have only recently had the honour and privilege to join the board of RICS Wales, but so far I’ve enjoyed every minute, meeting fellow board members, providing CPD sessions, engaging with the public. A particular highlight was meeting with our president elect at our December board meeting and enjoying dinner later that evening-I think I speak for all who attended that it was an informative and thoroughly enjoyable time together. Onwards and upwards for 2026- I feel very enthusiastic for the prospects of RICs Wales going forward in the New Year and our profession in general.

The board is supported by

Sam Rees

Senior Public Affairs Officer, RICS

Sam is the RICS Senior Public Affairs Officer for Wales, working with Welsh Government and stakeholders to address the challenges facing the built environment. This includes focusing on decarbonising Wales, creating safer buildings, and supporting future talent in the profession. He is also responsible for managing the RICS UK policy on housing and sustainability, working to ensure the profession is at the forefront of tackling the challenges of climate change, including the need to create more than 30 million energy efficient and low-carbon homes.

Graham Craven

Member Engagement Lead, RICS

Graham joined RICS in July 2022 as Market Engagement Lead – Wales and his focus has been on engaging members across the whole of Wales and is currently active in helping to establish a local group in North Wales. Graham is looking forward to being involved in setting up a new office in Cardiff as well as helping to deliver the RICS Cardiff Conference in June 2023. Graham is a keen jogger and will be amongst the team of 10 RICS Members and Staff who will be running the Cardiff Half Marathon in October 2023 to raise money for LionHeart. Graham is the conduit between members and RICS, which often means advocating for members and maintaining clear and transparent lines of communication.

Local news stories

Member case studies – Wales Mental Health in the Workplace events

Mental Health at work is of growing importance in the Surveying profession. After a successful and conversation provoking panel session at the 2025 Wales Conference, the Wales Board has committed to continue the conversation and keep Mental Health at the top of the agenda.

Connect with members

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.