Summary of the Governing Council meeting, 16 & 18 March 2026

Council is keen to engage with our members and to hear your questions and views and we will be setting time aside on each meeting agenda for this purpose.  If you have a question to raise with Council please visit Ask Governing Council (rics.org). 

Governing Council membership

• The March Governing Council meeting was chaired by Nick Maclean as President.

RICS Board Quarterly Report

• Council received and discussed the latest quarterly report from the RICS Board, including the 2025 year-end CEO report and performance reporting pack.

Standards & Regulation Board Quarterly Report

• Council received and discussed the latest quarterly report from the Standards & Regulation Board.

RICS Independent Review

• Council received an update on progress with the Independent Review and noted that presentation to Council of the final findings of the reviewer, Strat-edgy, would be at a later GC meeting.

Strategy Update

• Council approved a recommendation from RICS Board that, whilst awaiting the outcome of the Independent Review, RICS should continue with the current strategy for an additional year until the end of 2027 and should aim to review the need for a new strategy during 2027 for the start of 2028.

Qualifications & Professional Development Transformation Programme

• Council discussed the latest update on the Qualifications & Professional Development programme, which incorporates the Entry and Assessment review, noting that the project is in the foundation phase focussed on project design in readiness for the implementation phase of the new programme.
• It was noted that there is also dedicated resource to address immediate fixes for current issues in the Entry and Assessment process.

Creating Value through Communications

• Council discussed a presentation on a proposed approach to creating value through RICS communications, which had been developed through a collaboration of staff expertise and Council members.
• The session enabled Council to provide its input into the strategy for prioritisation of solutions to address communication challenges with key audiences identified.  

Governance and Engagement Bodies Appointment Terms

• Council noted and confirmed its support for the rationale behind the rule limiting appointments to RICS governance and engagement bodies to a maximum aggregate period of six years and the requirement for a mandatory three-year break before a member can be appointed to another role. This limitation remains in place.

Middle East Situation

• Council received an update from colleagues in the Middle East and the support being provided by RICS, and noted the key issues for the profession in the region arising as a result of the ongoing conflict.

Questions from Members

• Council considered its response to a question received regarding establishing a sole practitioner group.
• A subgroup of Council members is currently working with the UK & Ireland World Regional Board to formulate an action plan to consider representation.