Honouring Jeremy David Bagot Bayliss , RICS president 1996-1997

It is with great sadness we announce the recent passing of our former president, Jeremy Bayliss on 27 January 2026.

Jeremy was president at RICS from 1996 to 1997. Here, he notably chaired the committee responsible for recommending the overhauling of the rating system, which would later be called the Bayliss Report.

Before his time as president, Jeremy was a chartered surveyor for over 30 years, starting his career as a graduate at Gerald Eve in 1960. Initially intending to stay “only for a couple of years”, he ended up staying much longer: rising from partner to joint senior partner and then eventually senior partner in 1990. He later retired in 1997.

Jeremy built a wealth of experience in the planning field throughout his career, advising numerous public enquiries and private sector clients. Specialising in valuations, he gave expert evidence to the Lands Tribunal; House of Commons Select Committee for the Environment and the Select Committees of the House of Lords.

Not one to stay still for very long, after retiring from the property industry, Jeremy took up a new career as chief executive of the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew – a nod to his favourite pastime, gardening.

Jeremy was a champion of professionalism and was passionate about promoting the profession and supporting members with sufficient knowledge and expertise required by their clients. He will be remembered for his charm, passion and fun-natured spirit.

Jeremy is survived by his two sons, Jonathan and Patrick.