Update from Justin Young, RICS CEO - December 2023

This month, RICS is at COP28, making the case for how built and natural environment professionals can help the world achieve its net zero ambitions. As one of the only organisations globally to cover the entire built environment lifecycle, as well as the natural environment, we are best placed to work with governments, NGOs and other partners to advance our work with members on sustainable solutions for the climate challenge.

Many RICS professionals and firms are leading the way in this area, and we have published five case studies, highlighting initiatives from members to reduce emissions, cut waste, better manage energy use, and understand the value of ESG improvements.

Already taking a lead in these sustainability efforts are Jen Yee Long and Yap Jia Hui from Malaysia, winners of our student competition. They have proposed an innovative way to transform rainwater into green hydrogen for electricity generation. This solution could help address challenges faced by rural and remote communities by allowing access to electricity without relying heavily on centralised power sources. I’m sure you will join me in extending a huge congratulations to these inspiring young innovators and read more about their winning project.

We know that our standards, adopted by professionals and stakeholders, and our promotion of best practice and skills training, can make a tangible difference.

New RICS strategy and executive structure

To prioritise this work into 2024, sustainability is a key pillar of our new strategy published last week. We’ll also be focussing on attracting a diverse next generation, strengthening trust in the profession as part of our fundamental public interest responsibility, and enhancing the value we provide to members.

Core to the delivery of this strategy is evolving RICS to become an experience-led organisation so that we are putting your experience as members and that of stakeholders central to your practice at the heart of everything we do. We’re already starting to turn this strategy into action, and hopefully you can already see improvements in play. We’ve already reestablished Matrics committees and they are running a fantastic events programme, while Regional Boards now have budgets to support and create member events. Local member groups have been reestablished and we’ve set up an SME team to support one of our most important sectors.

To achieve our vision of a natural and built environment that is sustainable, resilient and inclusive for all, we need an operating model for a world-class organisation. I am therefore introducing new roles in our executive structure with clear accountabilities for the design of member and stakeholder experience, the development of our suite of professional practice guidance, content and events, and the effective delivery of these services in your area. The new roles will collaborate with colleagues in our regulatory function, which remains unchanged, to ensure everything we do is in the public interest and underpinned by robust regulation of the profession.

Knowledge and Practice Committee established

We recently reached a new milestone in our work to enhance the way we deliver practice knowledge and professional development to you with the establishment of the new Knowledge and Practice Committee. The new Committee and its Professional Group Panels will maintain and develop the knowledge and professional practice of surveying by providing market insight and advising on RICS programmes of work.

Following the announcement of Simon Rawlinson as Knowledge and Practice Committee Chair, we’ve been able to announce six more members of the committee, who also serve as Professional Group Panel chairs across a range of disciplines, from construction and residential, to land and valuation. With a mix of excellent experience, we’re confident that they will drive forward our knowledge and practice development, supporting the Standards and Regulation Board. The Professional Group Panel chairs are now assessing the large number of applications for panel membership so look out for further updates before the end of the year.