surveying

Across the built environment we’re seeing an ever-growing contingent of fantastic female professionals enriching the sector, yet there’s plenty more to be done in the D&I space.

In this episode of The RICS Podcast, we’re marking International Women’s Day with a panel of four senior professionals - Susanne Eickermann Riepe FRICS, Komilla Chadha MRICS, Hannah Jeong MRICS and Sara Cameron FRICS. Their discussion considers how the industry can evolve to further improve opportunities for female professionals and support the progress of experienced women within the sector.

This episode of The RICS Podcast covers:

• The panel’s route into the profession, and the particular challenges they’ve faced in their respective territories
• How industry leaders can most effectively welcome a more diverse workforce into their firms
• RICS’ role in gender diversity and equality
• The impact that male allies can have in achieving greater gender balance

Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors:

https://www.rics.org/uk/

Susanne Eickermann Riepe

https://www.linkedin.com/in/s-eickermann-riepe-pwc/

Komilla Chadha

https://www.linkedin.com/in/komillachadha/

Hannah Jeong

https://www.linkedin.com/in/hannah-jeong-b70ab031/

Sara Cameron

https://www.linkedin.com/in/sara-cameron-9bb65232/

The UK Chancellor’s budget on Wednesday announced a host of new fiscal measures, but it remains to be seen whether we’re to expect another fiscal event by the end of this year.

Simon Rubinsohn (RICS Chief Economist) is joined on this week’s RICS Podcast by James Sproule (Chief Economist - UK at Handelsbanken) & Ola Alade (Professional Group Panel Member - Commercial Property at RICS) to discuss the biggest economic takeaways from the budget, focus on how the property sector is affected by the budget, and consider whether we’re likely to see another budget before the next General Election.

This episode of The RICS Podcast covers:

• A summation of the main themes from Jeremy Hunt’s budget
• Ramifications of the budget on the housing market en masse
• How Ola’s clients are looking at commercial vs residential property opportunities
• Effects of the headline announcement of a 2p cut in National Insurance

Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors: https://www.rics.org/uk/

James Sproule: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-sproule-03b0569/

Ola Alade: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mroalade/

Simon Rubinsohn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simon-rubinsohn-43124162/

Welcome back to another RICS podcast episode led by the RICS standards team, providing valuable insights about updates to UK residential valuation standards. 

This week Nigel Sellars, RICS Senior Specialist in Property, is joined by Louise Avery MRICS, Managing Director at Avery & Co, Fiona Haggett FRICS, Head of Valuation at Barclays UK and Rob Mead FRICS, Technical Director at Connells Surveyors.

Their discussion provides an understanding of the motivation behind revisions to the Red Book’s residential section. They cover a variety of perspectives from valuers, lenders and technical experts on key topics such as property inspections and marketing period valuations, and also provide a preview of the follow-up standard, currently being drafted. 

This episode discusses:

• An overview of the updated RICS national supplement.
• The importance of consistency, collaboration and quality.
• Guiding principles and practical applications of the new standards.
• An insight into new changes currently being drafted.

The growth of ESG as a consideration throughout the sector has been remarkable in recent years, but with such a focus on environmental issues, there’s a risk of social and governance issues being neglected.

Catriona Brady is the Director of Strategy and Development at World Green Building Council, and with recent reports from both RICS and the World Green Building Council emphasising a drive for greater change in the sector, she joins Kisa Zehra to discuss the practical steps to help the industry more fully embrace ESG in its entirety.

This episode of The RICS Podcast covers:

• What lies at the heart of ESG
• Key findings from December’s Social Impact Report
• The emerging innovations that look to help the sector tackle social issues
• How different stakeholders play a pivotal role in driving positive change

Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors: https://www.rics.org/uk/
Catriona Brady: https://www.linkedin.com/in/catriona-brady-93002a53/

With several routes into the surveying profession your experience as a candidate is a unique one, and learning from the experiences of others is a wonderful way to set expectations and prepare effectively for a successful submission.

Joining RICS Candidate Engagement Manager (UK&I) Gill Quinn in this week’s podcast are Abraham Laker, Brittany Marsland & Richard Crow FRICS, all from Rapleys and bringing their own experiences of the qualification process. 

We hear the key differences between APC and Senior Professional routes, how best to prepare for final submission and interviews, what to do in the event of a referral, and much more. 

This episode of The RICS Podcast covers:

• How the APC route differs from the Senior Professional route
• Planning advice for a successful submission
• How to calm nerves before a final interview
• Places to build your network through the process
• Advice for those starting their journey

The transition to greener energy sources is an ongoing endeavour, and the role that surveyors will play in that transition is a growing one in both importance and impact.

Discussing this shift, this week The RICS Podcast welcomes Jenny Stanning, Stephen Thompson FRICS, Amit Patel MRICS and host Roger Esson MRICS to discuss the trends emerging in the energy sector, and their effects on the surveying profession.

This episode of The RICS Podcast covers:

• The surprising amounts of energy still being derived from oil and gas
• RICS members’ roles in transitioning to a greener energy mix and a more sustainable future
• How to get young kids, particularly young girls, interested in construction and STEM
• The role of standards in the energy transition

The built environment industry will be more effective to all if diverse voices are included, which intensifies the very present need for greater equity and inclusion. But, what does this look like in practice? How can organisations contribute to cultivating a more inclusive industry?

Nathan Spencer is Director at UKREiiF, and he joins RICS’ Sybil Taunton to discuss strategies for leading the industry towards a more inclusive environment, and the long-standing importance of social value as awareness grows around matters of diversity, equity and inclusion. 

This episode of The RICS Podcast covers:

• How greater representation improves the built environment industry
• Examples of organisations and leaders making great, positive impact
• How to diversify voices being put forward for opportunity 
• Putting an organisation’s moral compass over profits

UK REiiF
https://www.ukreiif.com/

Zoos and safari parks are tasked with not only running a profitable attraction, but investing that profit into suitable premises for wildlife conservation, presenting a unique challenge from a building surveyor’s perspective. How do these leisure assets balance profitability alongside ESG? 

In this podcast, Ginny Banham MRICS (Fisher German LLP) is joined by Richard Baldwin MRICS (Avison Young) and Richard Morris MRICS (Property Surv) to share their views on a unique arm of the surveying profession, drawing on their experiences and learnings. 

This episode of The RICS Podcast covers:

• The broad nature of certain guidance on zoo practice
  
  
• The surveyor’s perspective on asset value that supports a wider mission
  
  
• How safari parks and zoos have diversified over time
  
  
• Unusual assets the guests have encountered during their surveying careers

Costain Group’s Alex Vaughan joins us on this episode of The RICS Podcast brought to you by the WBEF team to discuss current trends in the infrastructure market domestically and internationally, and what’s required to improve overall efficiency in the area.

This episode of The RICS Podcast covers:

• Challenges with the investment needed to support the UK’s infrastructure needs
• The complexities surrounding the delivery of transport infrastructure
• The potential role for an infrastructure minister in coordinating projects nationally
• How we can maximise infrastructure productivity in the UK

The RICS Knowledge and Practice Committee (KPC) maintains and develops essential knowledge and professional practice. Its formation presents a notable step towards advancing industry and public knowledge on key issues.

In this podcast, RICS’ Director of Knowledge & Practice Luay Al-Khatib speaks with Chair of the Knowledge and Practice Committee, Simon Rawlinson, about how the group functions, its role within RICS and the role of knowledge and practice in supporting wider society.

This episode of The RICS Podcast covers:

• The Knowledge and Practice Committee’s key areas of focus
• The surveying profession’s value to society
• How the RICS maintains its relevance in a rapidly evolving industry

At the heart of the surveying profession, and what it means to be an RICS Surveyor, lies an industry that’s equally varied, rewarding and impactful.

This episode of The RICS Podcast brings together the expertise of Ashley Royer AssocRICS, Kareem Zahran MRICS and host Sinead Clarkson MRICS as they speak about their career paths, unique journeys, and how aspiring surveyors can do the same.

This episode of The RICS Podcast covers:

• Routes into the industry and the breadth of roles available
• How to engage and educate future generations
• Initiatives to create a more diverse and inclusive built environment
• Advice for those seeking a career as a Chartered Surveyor

In this podcast episode RICS Sustainability Chair, Frank Hovorka interviews RICS President Elect, Tina Paillet about the evolution of sustainability in the built environment.

Tina shares her perspective of how sustainability has developed during her time in the industry, highlighting the growing role of public perception and policy. Examining developments in sustainability standards and their importance for measurement, Frank and Tina refer the need for differentiation between long-term and short-term impacts.

Within this episode, Tina also offers insights from her experience at COP28 and shares her vision for the future, where she advocates shifting to a circular economy approach based on reusing materials before recycling. 

This episode of The RICS Podcast covers:

• How sustainability practices have evolved
• The role of public perception in driving sustainable practices 
• Developments in sustainability standards 
• Key takeaways from COP28 
• Future-gazing into 2024

Lifelong learning is essential for professionals to maintain and advance their skills, knowledge and competence in a rapidly changing world. 

Providing ongoing training and skills development demonstrates commitment to clients, aligns professionals with evolving client expectations and ensures continuous improvement. 

In this episode of the RICS Podcast we welcome our CPD Framework Steering
Group who are leading the way and championing change in personal
development. Join the Chair, Peter Smith and members Chris Blundell and Liz
Smith to discover:

• The importance of lifelong learning for professionals
• Challenges and barriers to creating a CPD framework 
• How to encourage engagement with CPD
• Making the framework cost-effective and flexible

The CPD Framework Steering Group is now keen to hear more views from RICS members about the existing CPD Framework and possible areas for improvement. Take the survey here > 

https://www.rics.org/regulation/regulatory-governance/standards-and-regulation-board-sub-groups/cpd-framework-steering-group

The RICS Awards showcase the most inspirational initiatives and developments in land, real estate, construction and infrastructure.

As part of our ongoing commitment to raise the profile of industry professionals and teams, the Awards aim to demonstrate the positive impact that the built environment has on individuals and communities, while also promoting the role that the profession has in making projects a reality.

Joining our UK Awards Judge Colin Harrop (Hardies Property and Construction Consultants) on The RICS Podcast this week are a host of the 2022 UK award winners - Arcadis’ Hannah Grover & David Baker, and Randall Simmonds LLP’s Phil Lewis. 

These worthy winners share their awards experience, why you should apply, and tips for a successful award entry.

This episode of The RICS Podcast covers:

• Reasons to enter the RICS Awards, and tips for those making entries
• How approaching an entry differs for team awards as opposed to those based on projects or individuals
• The benefits that our guests have seen from their success in the awards

RICS UK Awards:
https://www.rics.org/training-events/rics-awards/uk-awards

In this episode of The RICS Podcast we’re kicking off a series of episodes covering all the key points from the recently launched UK National Supplement in October.

Touching first on the elements relevant to public sector valuation, Jonathan Fothergill is joined by Graham Stalker, Donna Best, and Jaspreet Rahi to discuss the changes and their major implications.

This episode of The RICS Podcast covers:

• Reasoning behind some of the more notable rewrites of legislation
• How many of the changes are providing more clarity and understanding in the public sector
• What we might expect from the next edition of the UK National Supplement in the future

Within the recent King’s Speech, King Charles III’s first as monarch, we were offered a glimpse into some of the major bills and reforms with far-reaching impacts to our industry’s professionals.

Breaking down the vital elements of this speech on episode 103 of The RICS Podcast, co-hosts Dominic Collyer and Mahvesh Ibrar talk with Arcadis’ Siman Rawlinson about the wider impacts of the Renters Reform Bill, modernisation of the arbitration system, key elements not raised in the speech, and much more.

This episode of The RICS Podcast covers:

• The Renters Reform Bill’s potential impact on housing availability & expectations for the courts
• The Leasehold & Freehold Reform Bill’s desired impact to reform the residential leasehold sector
• Aspirations for economic benefits from the Trans-Pacific Partnership Bill
• Notable omissions from the speech around pension reform

Technology is an ever-shifting phenomenon, and while data has always been a source of innovation, AI has accelerated the utility of data, particularly in the built environment.

In this week’s World Built Environment Forum podcast, Andrew Min joins Andrew Knight to take us into the technological use cases for data & artificial intelligence, and how they’re evolving our perceptions of what the built environment can offer.

This episode of The RICS Podcast covers:

• Reimagining the built environment in New York through data
• How client demands for technology have grown in the real estate asset sector
• Using data to further extend a focus on ESG, particularly with regard to tracking social change
• The future of the sector, and where AI fits into the equation

Since Episode 58 of The RICS Podcast in February 2022, where we covered an overview of the Building Safety Act 2022, there’s been a number of key changes worth noting in new secondary legislation.

Returning to discuss Gateways 2 & 3, approaches to higher-risk buildings (HRBs), remediation orders and much more are Andrew Thomas MRICS and David Savage LLB, sharing their insights once again with host Gary Strong FRICS.

This episode of The RICS Podcast covers:

• What the secondary legislation has introduced in 2023, and how the industry is responding to the volume of secondary legislation that’s been brought in
• How is this impacting building control and local authorities
• What are Safety Cases
• The details of Gateways two and three, due to follow August 2022’s Gateway 1
• What is the Golden Thread
• Remediation Orders and Enforcement
• Details on how the Building Safety Act affects The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.

Links to useful resources at https://www.rics.org/news-insights/building-safety-act-faqs 

While the need for carbon reduction is clear, the route to creating a built environment that better serves this need is constantly being refined.

Through their work at Introba UK and Related Argent respectively, Clara Bagenal George and David Partridge are contributing to the RICS whole life carbon assessment (WLCA) standard and the Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard.

Clara and David join RICS’ Charlotte Neal on the podcast this week to discuss the formation of these standards, and personal journeys implementing positive steps to reduce carbon in their own activities.

This episode of The RICS Podcast covers:

• How BECD and the Whole Life Carbon Assessment methodology work together in tandem
• Why the Net Zero Carbon Building Standard is so essential for the industry
• David and Clara’s personal pursuits for more carbon conscious lifestyles
• Trying to overcome reliance on third parties to make your own positive changes

The provision of sick pay and support for workers in ill health is a key issue in the Safe Sick Pay campaign’s push to reduce health inequality.

In a recent report for the campaign, WPI Economics highlighted the reality of Statutory Sick Pay and the positive benefits of reform - Laura Osborne joins us on The RICS Podcast to share more on the campaign, the report, and how industry attitudes towards sick pay are changing for the better.

This episode of The RICS Podcast covers:

• Why qualitative information was so key in understanding the impact of insufficient sick pay provisions
• Changing attitudes towards illness in the workplace post-Covid
• Recommendations from WPI Economics’ latest report for the Safe Sick Pay campaign
• How the campaign considers the implications for SMEs and smaller companies

Links & References:

https://wpieconomics.com/publications/ssp-reform/

https://www.instituteofhealthequity.org/resources-reports/working-well-delivering-better-health-outcomes-for-hidden-workers