Update from RICS Interim Standards and Regulation Board Chair Nigel Clarke

It has been just over three months since I started my role as chair of the interim Standards and Regulation Board (SRB). I have been pleased at how the interim SRB has mobilised to pick up the comprehensive regulatory programme, working to ensure that the processes of regulation undertaken by the SRB executive team have been unaffected by recent events and continue to a high standard.

I have spent time meeting members and governance colleagues across RICS, getting to know the SRB teams and beginning to build a deeper understanding of RICS and the profession. I am currently reviewing the delivery of regulation to identify any areas where SRB’s independence requires strengthening or improving. However, with the Regulatory Framework in place and with SRB reporting directly to the Governing Council, I have been impressed by RICS’ approach to regulation and the model that emerged from the Bichard Review.  

In the interview with Estates Gazette, I said that I had been impressed by the quality of regulatory work undertaken by the SRB team; but in line with the wider organisation a culture of improvement will be vital, as regulation will need to adapt to keep up with public expectations and changes to practice. Close working between the professional leadership part of the RICS and the SRB will be key.  

Supporting current initiatives

The SRB has been supporting the ongoing regulatory work programme:

• working to ensure uninterrupted progress of the Entry and Assessment Review which focuses on how as a regulator the pathways and routes for entry to the profession, competence and suitability for membership will be defined, shaped and assessed;
• maintaining the ongoing work of the Continuing Professional Development Steering Group which is reviewing the future model for CPD within the profession;
• supporting ongoing standards initiatives, such as the Valuation Review.   

As far as the Board’s other critical regulatory functions, we have commissioned an external evaluation of the Dispute Resolution Service, and recently appointed Alexandra Marks CBE as the Presiding Chair of the Regulatory Tribunal - a role to which she brings a wealth of regulatory and legal experience including as a Judge, a Commissioner at the Criminal Cases Review Commission and as a Judicial Appointments Commissioner.

Working with the profession

We are working closely with the whole of RICS, seeking the insight and input of the profession to meet the challenges facing the industry of today and to identify the needs of the future profession. It has been encouraging to see the building of a positive, effective and collaborative working relationship with the RICS Board that has recognised the independence of SRB whilst making sure professional leadership and expertise is properly engaged.

Working closely with senior leaders, we have engaged with external stakeholders — such as the UK Department of Levelling Up and the Financial Conduct Authority — to explain how professional regulation operates and why members and the public can have confidence in successful independent regulation at RICS.  

I have seen an increased confidence of those outside RICS’ membership. It will be essential to keep improving our communication with members and external stakeholders, which is a two-way process; this will give a clear picture of improvements as they are delivered and ensure confidence in RICS and its members in addressing the challenges and opportunities society now faces.   

Consumer Interest and advocacy

To ensure that the Bichard Review recommendations are fully implemented, the SRB has looked carefully at how we ensure that the consumer interest and advocacy informs the public advantage elements of our work. To that end, the Board is taking forward the appointment of a consumer advocate to support the work of the Professional Standards Steering Group and the future Standards Committee.

The Governing Council has committed to appointing a permanent SRB as quickly as possible. In line with this, recruitment to the Chair of permanent SRB is already underway; once appointed, recruitment to the remaining SRB positions will proceed at pace.

The interim Board, myself and the executive team delivering RICS’ professional standards and regulatory functions are passionate about creating a strong foundation which will help enable RICS to meet the challenges facing the modern surveying profession, such as technology, decarbonisation, and sustainability within a transforming global landscape.

My first few months with the SRB and RICS have been inspiring: from exploring the detail of regulatory operations to the team’s work in leading the future of global professionalism with the World Economic Forum and WBEF. We have much to do to communicate the sophistication of RICS’ regulation and to build and maintain trust in the profession. But I have confidence that with the continuing commitment of the Governing Council, President and senior executives, our regulation is in a healthy position to uphold standards in the public interest.