Following an extensive appointment process in 2023, RICS has appointed four accomplished individuals to key governance roles to support an effective governance structure at RICS.

Commencing their roles on 01 January 2024:

Liz Peace CBE and Gurpreet Dehal join the Governing Council, serving as Senior Independent Governor and Independent Member, respectively. These roles bring an independent perspective, crucial to supporting RICS' public advantage objective. The Senior Independent Governor, also sitting on the RICS Board, plays a pivotal role in supporting the President, acting as a liaison between Governing Council members and governance body chairs.

Douglas McCormick and Kelly Olsen join the RICS Board, as Chair of the Membership Services Committee and RICS Board member with digital and technology skills respectively.  Douglas is an RICS member with global experience and Kelly has a background in Chief Operating Officer and Chief Information Officer roles.  Both these roles are important in ensuring that the RICS Board has the breadth of experience it requires to meet the challenges of being a world class institution.

These appointments strengthen RICS' commitment to effective governance, diverse perspectives, and advancing the profession globally.

Meet the Appointees

Liz Peace CBE

Liz Peace CBE

Senior Independent Governor

A distinguished career spanning public and private sectors, Liz has held notable roles in government and private organisations. Currently, her non-executive portfolio includes NED roles at Howard de Walden Estates, Greencore Homes, AEW UK REIT and the Connected Places Catapult. She is also the Chair of the GLA’s ...   Old Oak and Park Royal Development Corporation and of the University of Cambridge Property Board. Read More

Gurpreet Dehal

Gurpreet Dehal

Independent Member of RICS Governing Council

Gurpreet brings extensive experience in higher education, financial services, infrastructure, and health. His executive background includes senior leadership positions in financial risk management and investment banking global operations. He is currently Chair at the University of Derby and an Honorary Fellow at ...   the University of Birmingham, with previous experience as a regulator of Higher Education in England as a Board Member with the Office for Students. He is also an independent Board member with the Defence Infrastructure Organisation and with the London Legacy Development Corporation. Read More

Kelly Olsen

Kelly Olsen

Independent RICS Board Member (Digital & Technology)

With over 35 years in technology and transformation, Kelly has served as Chief Information Officer for several companies as well as Chief Operating Officer. Her executive experience encompasses technology, business transformation, operational excellence, mergers and acquisitions, and program management. ...   Read More

Douglas McCormick FRICS

Douglas McCormick FRICS

Chair of Global Members Committee

Douglas is the CEO of Pegasus Group, a multidisciplinary design, planning and development consultancy. He is a Fellow of RICS, RICS Board Member and a Fellow and Non-Executive Director of the Institute of Collaborative Working. Douglas brings a wealth of experience in construction and infrastructure sectors. His ...   leadership roles in global consultancies and commitment to fostering opportunities for the next generation of leaders as a previous Commissioner for the UK Commission for Employment and Skills, highlight his dedication to the industry's growth. Read More

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