{{Short description|Organisation}} {{Use British English|date=February 2025}} {{Redirect|RICS|the gene|RICS (gene)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}} {{Infobox organization | name = The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors | logo = Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors logo.svg | bgcolor = | fgcolor = | image = Side+view+of++RICS+HQ+.jpg | image_size = 180px | image_alt = Redbrick building with natural stone highlights and tall stone mullioned windows running away from camera having an exaggerated perspective and proportions with a narrow tarmacced road in front against a dappled sky on a fine day | caption = RICS Headquarters, Parliament Square, London | abbreviation = | predecessor = | successor = | formation = {{start date and age|1868}} | extinction = | type = Professional body | headquarters = London, England, UK | coordinates = {{coord |51|30|3|N|0|7|41|W|type:landmark_region:GB-WSM|display=inline,title}} | region_served = Worldwide | membership = 113,000 (2025) | general_secretary = | leader_title = Chief executive officer | leader_name = Justin Young <small>(July 2023 - Present)</small><ref name="BE-19Jun2023">{{cite news |title=RICS appoints Justin Young as new CEO |url=https://benews.co.uk/rics-appoints-justin-young-as-new-ceo/ |access-date=19 June 2023 |work=BE News |date=19 June 2023}}</ref> | leader_title2 = President | leader_name2 = Nick Maclean (2025 - interim) | leader_title3 = | leader_name3 = | leader_title4 = | leader_name4 = | key_people = | main_organ = | parent_organization = | affiliations = | budget = | num_staff = c. 900 | num_volunteers = | website = {{URL|https://www.rics.org|RICS}} | remarks = Members' designations: FRICS, MRICS, AssocRICS | former_name = }} The '''Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors''' ('''RICS''') is a global{{Citation needed|reason=RICS reads as UK centered. Global would be for example International Valuation Standards Committee|date=March 2026}} professional body for those working in the Built Environment, Construction, Land, Property and Real Estate. The RICS was founded in London in 1868. It works at a cross-governmental level,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.insidehousing.co.uk/news/news/morning-briefing-rics-survey-highlights-housing-market-concerns-60182|title=Morning Briefing: RICS survey highlights housing market concerns|website=Inside Housing|language=En|access-date=2019-02-15}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/money/2019/jan/17/uk-house-prices-fall-at-fastest-rate-in-six-years-on-back-of-brexit-rics|title=UK house prices fall at fastest rate in six years on back of Brexit – RICS|last=Kollewe|first=Julia|date=2019-01-17|work=The Guardian|access-date=2019-02-15|language=en-GB|issn=0261-3077}}</ref> and aims to promote and enforce the highest international standards<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rics.org/uk/upholding-professional-standards/|title=RICS: Upholding Professional Standards|website=rics.org|access-date=2019-02-15}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/business/economy/uks-royal-institute-looks-to-certify-10000-chartered-surveyors-in-india-by-2029-3106141.html|title=RICS looks to certify 10,000 chartered surveyors in India by 2029|website=Moneycontrol|date=30 October 2018 |access-date=2019-02-15}}</ref> in the valuation, management and development of land, real estate, construction and infrastructure.
Founded as the Institution of Surveyors, it received a royal charter in 1881, and in 1947 became the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors. With a London HQ and regional offices across the United Kingdom, plus international offices, it serves a 113,000-strong membership distributed over nearly 150 countries. The RICS is linked to other national surveying institutions, collaborates with other professional bodies, and, in 2013, was a founder member of a coalition to develop the International Property Measurement Standards (IPMS). It also produces cost information and professional guidance on valuation and other activities.
In September 2021, an independent review exposed poor governance practices at the highest levels of the RICS organisation, prompting the resignations of the president, chief executive, interim chair of the governing council, and chair of the management board, in addition to the earlier resignation of the chief operating officer. The report was labelled an "appalling advert for our profession on the world stage". A subsequent review published in June 2022 demanded a "transformation of the institution carried out at pace".
== History == RICS was founded in London, England, as the '''Institution of Surveyors''' after a meeting of 49 surveyors at the Westminster Palace Hotel on 15 June 1868. The inaugural president was John Clutton (who founded Cluttons, a property firm still in business today). The organisation has occupied headquarters on the corner of Great George Street and Little George Street since then.<ref name=history>{{cite web |url=http://www.rics.org/uk/about-rics/who-we-are/history/ |title=History |publisher=RICS |date=2014 |access-date=27 September 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141201001650/http://www.rics.org/uk/about-rics/who-we-are/history/ |archive-date=1 December 2014 }}</ref> It received a Royal charter as '''The Surveyors' Institution''' on 26 August 1881,<ref name=charter>{{cite news |url=http://find.galegroup.com/ttda/infomark.do?&source=gale&prodId=TTDA&userGroupName=kccl&tabID=T003&docPage=article&searchType=&docId=CS202293546&type=multipage&contentSet=LTO&version=1.0 |title=The Institution of Surveyors |work=The Times |date=10 September 1881 |page=12 |access-date=27 September 2014}}{{subscription required}}</ref>{{#tag:ref|Under the charter, full members were classed as Fellows (FSI) or Professional Associates (PASI). Non-chartered associate and student memberships were also provided for.<ref name=charter/> |group="note"}} The charter required RICS to "promote the usefulness of the profession for the public advantage in the UK and in other parts of the world."
The Surveyors' Institution became the '''Chartered Surveyors' Institution''' in 1930.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://find.galegroup.com/ttda/infomark.do?&source=gale&prodId=TTDA&userGroupName=kccl&tabID=T003&docPage=article&searchType=BasicSearchForm&docId=CS134554479&type=multipage&contentSet=LTO&version=1.0 |title=Chartered Surveyors |work=The Times |date=15 November 1930 |page=8 |access-date=27 September 2014}}{{subscription required}}</ref> In 1946, George VI granted the title "Royal" and in 1947 the professional body became the '''Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors'''.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://find.galegroup.com/ttda/infomark.do?&source=gale&prodId=TTDA&userGroupName=kccl&tabID=T003&docPage=article&searchType=AdvancedSearchForm&docId=CS134562492&type=multipage&contentSet=LTO&version=1.0 |title=Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors |work=The Times |date=28 May 1946 |page=8 |access-date=27 September 2014}}{{subscription required}}</ref>
The RICS (with the CIOB, CIBSE, IstructE and RIBA) was a founder member of the Building Industry Council, today the Construction Industry Council, in 1988.<ref name="NCE-22Oct1998">{{cite magazine |title=Speaking with one voice |url=https://www.newcivilengineer.com/speaking-with-one-voice/850640.article |access-date=18 January 2021 |magazine=New Civil Engineer |date=22 October 1998}}</ref>
In March 2025, RICS president Justin Sullivan "agreed to step aside" following criticism of his role as an expert witness in legal case regarding a £32.5 million moth-infested mansion.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Howard |first=Tom |date=2025-03-04 |title=RICS president steps aside after 'moth-infested mansion' case |url=https://www.thetimes.com/business-money/companies/article/rics-president-steps-aside-after-moth-infested-mansion-case-zlrjfxxnh |access-date=2025-03-05 |website=www.thetimes.com |language=en}}</ref> Sullivan referred himself to the body's standards and regulatory board.<ref name=":0" /> Nick Maclean, who is due to take over the presidency in 2026, was appointed as acting president temporarily.<ref name=":0" />
== Coat of Arms == On December 1967 the RICS was granted a coat of arms by the College of Arms<ref>{{Cite book |last=Briggs |first=Geoffrey |title=Civic & corporate heraldry: a dictionary of impersonal arms of England, Wales, & N. Ireland |date=1971 |publisher=(10 Beauchamp Place, S.W.3), Heraldry Today |isbn=978-0-900455-21-6 |location=London |pages=102}}</ref>:{{Infobox COA wide |name=Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors |image= |image_size= |bannerimage= |badgeimage= |torse= |escutcheon=Azure, within a surveyor's chain in orle and issuant from the chief the capital of an Ionic column argent; on a chief of the last a lion passant guardant of the field. |supporters=On either side a lion Or supporting a surveyor's ranging rod and resting the interior hind paw upon a log of wood proper. |orders= |banner= |badge= |symbolism= |year_granted=1 December 1967 |crest=On a wreath of the colours, In front of a Terrestrial Globe proper a pair of dividers Or. }}
==International influence== RICS has close links with many national surveying institutions{{such as|date=May 2024}} and is a founding member association of the International Federation of Surveyors (FIG). Within RICS the primary areas of practice represented at FIG are geomatics (land and hydrographic survey), environment, planning, construction and valuation.
RICS works in close collaboration with other professional bodies, central banks and international organisations such as The United Nations, World Bank and The European Union.
In 2013, RICS was a founder member of the coalition to develop International Property Measurement Standards, which launched its first standard – for measuring office space – in November 2014. It launched its second standard, for measuring residential buildings, in September 2016. In 2014 RICS was a founder member of the coalition to develop International Ethics Standards,<ref>{{cite web|last1=IES|title=International Ethics Standards|url=https://ies-coalition.org/|website=IES coalition|publisher=IES|access-date=2 January 2018}}</ref> standards designed to add greater consistency to developing and reinforcing professional ethics globally – these launched in December 2016.
To add greater consistency to the benchmarking, measuring, and reporting of construction project costs, International Construction Measurement Standards<ref>{{cite web|last1=ICMS|title=International Construction Measurement Standards|url=https://icms-coalition.org/|website=ICMS coalition|access-date=2 January 2018}}</ref> were published in July 2017. The coalition for International Land Measurement Standards – aiding consistency of interpretation and documentation of tenure – launched in June 2016. In each case, coalition member bodies are committed to implementing the new standards through training and guidance for professional practitioners.
The RICS is a founder member of the International Valuation Standards Committee.
==Membership== In 2025, there were 113,000 RICS-qualified members of whom 105,000 are "Professional Members" ie Chartered Surveyors in nearly 150 countries. The majority of members are still based in the United Kingdom, but with large numbers also in mainland Europe, Australia and Hong Kong. There is also strong growth in membership globally, particularly in China, India and the Americas.{{cn|date=May 2024}}
Entry to membership of RICS is via four main routes: academic; graduate; technical; and senior professional. RICS has links with universities worldwide, with whom they have accredited approved courses which satisfy part of the qualification requirements to become trainee surveyors. RICS also offers expedited routes to membership for qualified professional members of some partner associations.
RICS requires members to update their knowledge and competence during their working life through Continuing Professional Development. Professionals holding RICS qualifications may use the following designations after their name: *AssocRICS (Associate); previously members at this level were known as Technical Members and used the designation "TechRICS"<ref name="AssocRICS">{{cite web|url=http://www.rics.org/site/scripts/news_article.aspx?newsID=646|title=AssocRICS – the new grade|date=1 January 2009|work=RICS|access-date=2009-10-11}}</ref> *MRICS (Member); previously members at this level were known as Professional Associates and used the designation "ARICS". *FRICS (Fellow). *HonRICS (Honorary members) Those with the designation MRICS or FRICS are "Professional Members" entitled to be known as Chartered Surveyors<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ricsrecruit.com/article/becoming-an-rics-member|title=Becoming an RICS Member|date=2016-04-04|website=ricsrecruis.com|language=en-uk|access-date=2019-06-30}}</ref> and variations such as "Chartered Building Surveyor", "Chartered Valuation Surveyor" or "Chartered Quantity Surveyor", depending on their chosen specialist qualifications and field of expertise.
Both AssocRICS and MRICS require the collation of a candidate's training and work experience to be assessed by RICS trained assessors,<ref name="Become an RICS Fellow FRICS">{{cite web |url=https://www.rics.org/uk/surveying-profession/career-progression/become-an-rics-fellow-frics/ | title=Become an RICS Fellow (FRICS) }}</ref> although some may be eligible for direct entry based on international qualifications. MRICS has a higher technical bar to entry and there is an academic prerequisite which does not exist for AssocRICS.<ref name="Become an RICS Fellow FRICS"/> MRICS applications are also subject to an Assessment of Professional Competence (APC) interview, held by a panel of Chartered Surveyors where the candidate's experience, knowledge and technical skill is assessed during the interview.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rics.org/uk/surveying-profession/join-rics/chartered-member-mrics/assessment-of-professional-competence-apc/ | title=Assessment of Professional Competence (APC) }}</ref> FRICS is the highest accolade awarded and demonstrates the professional achievements of an individual. It is an honoured class of membership awarded and an international measure of excellence. Only those who hold the MRICS designation are eligible to apply for FRICS and they must meet the required number of professional characteristics.<ref name="Become an RICS Fellow FRICS"/>
===Professional groups=== RICS specifies areas of specialism, each with its own professional group, clustered into land, property and construction. Within each professional group there may be further specialisms.<ref>[http://www.rics.org/uk/about-rics/professional-groups/ Professional Groups of the RICS]</ref> {| class="wikitable" ! scope="col" width="225" | Property professional groups ! scope="col" width="225" | Land professional groups ! scope="col" width="225" | Built environment professional groups |- | Arts & antiquities || Environment || Building control |- | Commercial property || Geomatics || Building surveying |- | Dispute resolution || Minerals & waste || Project management |- | Facilities management || Planning & development || Quantity surveying & Construction |- | Machinery & assets || Rural|| Dilapidations forum |- | Management consultancy || Telecom forum|| Insurance forum |- | Residential property || || Infrastructure |- | Valuation || || |- | Building conservation forum || || |}
===Specialist accreditations=== RICS aims to cover, among its practising members, property and construction related expertise generally. Specialised areas of practice expertise for which accreditation is available include:
*Building Information Modelling (BIM) Manager Certification *Building Conservation *Chartered Environmentalists *Dispute Resolution *ECO Assessor Certification *Fixed Charge Receivership Scheme *Valuer Registration.
===RICS Matrics=== The junior branch of RICS, known as Matrics (pronounced "matrix"), provides educational support, charitable and networking activities for surveying students, trainee surveyors (of any age) and Chartered Surveyors with ten years or less post-qualification experience.<ref>[http://www.rics.org/matrics RICS]</ref> It comprises some 40 local groups across the United Kingdom. Established in 1889 as the Junior Committee, it became the "Junior Organisation" ("JO") in 1928 and was re-branded as ''"RICS Matrics"'' in 2003. It also has links with the Young Chartered Surveyors in the Republic of Ireland.
==Governance== The RICS is governed by a governing council, to which report a management board, a standards and regulation board, and an audit committee.<ref name="corpgov">{{cite web |title=Corporate Governance at RICS |url=https://www.rics.org/uk/about-rics/corporate-governance/ |website=RICS |access-date=18 January 2021}}</ref>
===2019-2021 governance review=== In January 2021, the RICS reversed a decision to suppress a 2019 BDO report critical of the organisation's financial governance. According to the ''Sunday Times'', four non-executive directors had expressed concerns about the report's findings, but were dismissed in November 2019 by then president Chris Brooke.<ref name="Kelly-13Dec2020">{{cite news |last1=Kelly |first1=Liam |title=Wobbly foundations of property agents' guild |url=https://www.thetimes.com/life-style/property-home/article/wobbly-foundations-of-property-agents-guild-h2mp0hcq9 |access-date=18 January 2021 |work=Sunday Times |date=13 December 2020}}</ref> Following a letter from four past presidents, the RICS initially rejected an independent review,<ref name="Neg-14Dec2020">{{cite news |title=More trouble at RICS uncovered by newspaper investigation |url=https://thenegotiator.co.uk/rics-treasury-controls-report/ |access-date=18 January 2021 |work=The Negotiator |date=14 December 2020}}</ref><ref name="Kelly-20Dec2020">{{cite news |last1=Kelly |first1=Liam |title=Bosses of the rickety RICS are on the ropes |url=https://www.thetimes.com/business-money/companies/article/bosses-of-the-rickety-rics-are-on-the-ropes-6bgf95gs3 |access-date=18 January 2021 |work=Sunday Times |date=20 December 2020}}</ref> but, after the ousted directors also wrote a letter, then said its governing council would "revisit" the issue,<ref name="Shah-17Jan2021">{{cite news |last1=Shah |first1=Oliver |title=Ousted directors speak up as RICS does inquiry U-turn |url=https://www.thetimes.com/business-money/article/ousted-directors-speak-up-as-rics-does-inquiry-u-turn-mqvjs2qf2 |access-date=18 January 2021 |work=Sunday Times |date=17 January 2021}}</ref><ref name="Lowe-18Jan2021">{{cite news |last1=Lowe |first1=Tom |title=RICS set for U-turn as it plans independent review into handling of governance scandal |url=https://www.building.co.uk/news/rics-set-for-u-turn-as-it-plans-independent-review-into-handling-of-governance-scandal/5109928.article |access-date=18 January 2021 |work=Building |date=18 January 2021}}</ref> and on 22 January 2021 announced it would initiate an independent inquiry into the affair.<ref name="Lowe-22Jan2021">{{cite news |last1=Lowe |first1=Tom |title=RICS bows to pressure and sets up inquiry into governance furore |url=https://www.building.co.uk/news/rics-bows-to-pressure-and-sets-up-inquiry-into-governance-furore/5110048.article |access-date=22 January 2021 |work=Building |date=22 January 2021}}</ref> In 2019, RICS finances were reported to have been in a difficult position, the organisation having made a pre-tax loss of £4.7m on £91.3m of income from fees and commercial activities. It subsequently made 140 people redundant.<ref name="Norwood-11Jan2021">{{cite news |last1=Norwood |first1=Graham |title=RICS finance controversy - new allegations made by newspaper |url=https://www.estateagenttoday.co.uk/breaking-news/2021/1/rics-finance-controversy--new-allegations-made-by-newspaper |access-date=19 January 2021 |work=Estate Agent Today |date=11 January 2021}}</ref> In February 2021, the RICS president Kathleen Fontana said that, in addition to the independent review into the audit report, the governing council was agreeing a strategic review into the institution's governance and member engagement. ''Building'' reported member views that expensive membership fees did not reflect the benefits they receive, and that RICS' international expansion had been "at the expense of its core UK membership, which feels disengaged and neglected".<ref name="Building-03Feb2021">{{cite news |title=RICS consultation: What reforms do members want? |url=https://www.building.co.uk/news/rics-consultation-what-reforms-do-members-want/5110189.article |access-date=3 February 2021 |work=Building |date=3 February 2021}}</ref>
In April 2021, Peter Oldham, the chair of the independent review of RICS's governance resigned "for professional reasons", to be replaced by Alison Levitt QC with completion delayed to June 2021<ref name="McArthy-10Apr2021">{{cite news |last1=McArthy |first1=Sebastian |title=Chair of RICS investigation resigns |url=https://www.propertyweek.com/news/chair-of-rics-investigation-resigns/5113670.article |access-date=20 April 2021 |work=Property Week |date=10 April 2021}}</ref> – later pushed back to mid-August 2021.<ref name="Lowe-23Jul2021">{{cite news |last1=Lowe |first1=Tom |title=Delayed review into RICS' governance scandal due in less than a month |url=https://www.building.co.uk/news/delayed-review-into-rics-governance-scandal-due-in-less-than-a-month/5112960.article |access-date=23 July 2021 |work=Building |date=23 July 2021}}</ref> On 4 June 2021, ''Building'' reported the "surprise" resignation and immediate departure of RICS' chief operating officer Violetta Parylo amid "a storm of calls" from members for reform.<ref name="Marshall-4Jun2021">{{cite news|last1=Marshall|first1=Jordan|date=4 June 2021|title=RICS chief operating officer quits|work=Building|url=https://www.building.co.uk/news/rics-chief-operating-officer-quits/5112121.article|access-date=4 June 2021}}</ref> The RICS review of its purpose and relevance had been published in May 2021. Based on 9,000 responses, it reported members' trust in the RICS had plummeted by nearly a third, while satisfaction with membership had fallen to a historic low of 43%.<ref name="Lowe-20May2021">{{cite news|last1=Lowe|first1=Tom|date=20 May 2021|title=Members' anger laid bare as satisfaction rate with RICS slumps to historic low|work=Building|url=https://www.building.co.uk/news/members-anger-laid-bare-as-satisfaction-rate-with-rics-slumps-to-historic-low/5111924.article|access-date=4 June 2021}}</ref>
====Levitt review==== Levitt's governance review was delivered to the RICS in early August but not immediately made public, prompting calls for its full publication;<ref name="McCarthy-18Aug2021">{{cite news |last1=McCarthy |first1=Sebastian |title=Ousted RICS director calls for review to be made public |url=https://www.propertyweek.com/news/ousted-rics-director-calls-for-review-to-be-made-public/5115868.article |access-date=19 August 2021 |work=Property Week |date=18 August 2021}}</ref> the report was first reviewed by a five-strong subgroup of RICS's 26-member governing council.<ref name="Bill">{{Cite news|last=Bill|first=Peter|date=26 August 2021|title=Levitt'll set RICS change agenda|work=Property Week|url=https://www.propertyweek.com/insight/levittll-set-rics-change-agenda/5115987.article|access-date=2 September 2021}}</ref> ''Property Week'' columnist Peter Bill said "a private tiff has ballooned into a crisis of confidence in the 130,000-member institution" with a defensive management facing a small but powerful group of disaffected members.<ref name="Bill" /> After the August departure of RICS managing director Matthew Howell, RICS CEO Sean Tompkins resigned on 9 September 2021,<ref name="McCarthy-09Sep2021">{{cite news |last1=McCarthy |first1=Sebastian |title=Sean Tompkins to step down as RICS CEO |url=https://www.propertyweek.com/news/sean-tompkins-to-step-down-as-rics-ceo/5116215.article |access-date=9 September 2021 |work=Property Week |date=9 September 2021}}</ref><ref name="Lowe-09Sep2021">{{cite news |last1=Lowe |first1=Tom |title=NEWS Sean Tompkins in talks to resign as RICS chief executive |url=https://www.building.co.uk/news/sean-tompkins-in-talks-to-resign-as-rics-chief-executive/5113626.article |access-date=9 September 2021 |work=Building |date=9 September 2021}}</ref> when the full Levitt Review was published; Tompkins also forfeited a £190,000 bonus payment.<ref name="Lowe-15Sep2021">{{cite news |last1=Lowe |first1=Tom |title=Sean Tompkins will not receive full £260,000 bonus, RICS confirms |url=https://www.building.co.uk/news/sean-tompkins-will-not-receive-full-260000-bonus-rics-confirms/5113692.article |access-date=15 September 2021 |work=Building |date=15 September 2021}}</ref> In light of the Review findings, RICS president Kathleen Fontana, the interim chair of the governing council Chris Brooke, and management board chair Paul Marcuse also resigned,<ref name="RICSLevitt">{{cite web |title=RICS Publishes Independent Review - Accepts All Recommendations |url=https://www.rics.org/uk/news-insight/latest-news/news-opinion/rics-governing-council-publishes-independent-review-and-accepts-all-recommendations/ |website=RICS |access-date=9 September 2021}}</ref> and RICS terminated its relationship with London law firm Fieldfisher, criticised by Levitt for being "demonstrably and inappropriately partisan."<ref name="Ames-27Oct2021">{{cite news |last1=Ames |first1=Jonathan |title=RICS dump City law firm Fieldfisher after dismissal case |url=https://www.thetimes.com/business-money/article/rics-dump-city-law-firm-fieldfisher-after-dismissal-case-0dvrnqwgz |access-date=18 November 2021 |work=Times |date=27 October 2021}}</ref>
Levitt said the RICS had made it "as difficult as possible" for people to contact the review; "RICS management and others on occasion" gave an "impression of reluctant acquiescence" during her investigations, she said.<ref name="Lowe-17Sep2021">{{cite news |last1=Lowe |first1=Tom |title=RICS report author: 'They made it hard for me to get evidence' |url=https://www.building.co.uk/news/rics-report-author-they-made-it-hard-for-me-to-get-evidence/5113686.article |access-date=17 September 2021 |work=Building |date=17 September 2021}}</ref> Her 467-page report concluded that the four non-executive board members had been wrongly dismissed and that sound governance principles were not followed.<ref name="Lewis-09Sep2021">{{cite news |last1=Lewis |first1=Nigel |title=BREAKING: Levitt report into RICS scandal reveals 'disaster waiting to happen' |url=https://thenegotiator.co.uk/breaking-levitt-report-into-rics-reveals-scandal-disaster-waiting-to-happen/ |access-date=9 September 2021 |work=The Negotiator |date=9 September 2021}}</ref> The CEO and COO thus operated with little effective scrutiny and become resistant to challenge amid "a power struggle". Levitt recommended "a wide-ranging external review of purpose, governance and strategy, led by an independent reviewer", plus interim recommendations relating to governance, executive remuneration, whistle-blowing and legal advice. The RICS governing council committed to apologise to the dismissed non-executive directors, and to implement all the report's recommendations.<ref name="RICSLevitt"/> On 30 September 2021, ''Building'' reported on a "grovelling public apology" from the RICS to the wrongfully dismissed non-executive directors, and said an external review of the institution's future purpose was set to start within weeks.<ref name="Lowe-30Sep2021">{{cite news |last1=Lowe |first1=Tom |title=RICS issues grovelling public apology to wrongfully dismissed non-executives |url=https://www.building.co.uk/news/rics-issues-grovelling-public-apology-to-wrongfully-dismissed-non-executives/5113981.article |access-date=1 October 2021 |work=Building |date=30 September 2021}}</ref> The ousted non-executive directors welcomed the formal apology but said it was "difficult to accept it as a statement of genuine contrition".<ref name="McCarthy-04Oct2021">{{cite news |last1=McCarthy |first1=Sebastian |title=Ousted RICS directors say apology is "difficult to accept" |url=https://www.propertyweek.com/news/ousted-rics-directors-say-apology-is-difficult-to-accept/5116648.article |access-date=5 October 2021 |work=Property Week |date=4 October 2021}}</ref>
Gleeds chairman and ''Building'' columnist Richard Steer called the governance scandal an "appalling advert for our profession on the world stage" and said RICS needed to undergo a "complete restructuring".<ref name="Low-13Sep2021">{{cite news |last1=Lowe |first1=Tom |title=Gleeds chairman in withering attack on RICS leadership after resignations bloodbath |url=https://www.building.co.uk/news/gleeds-chairman-in-withering-attack-on-rics-leadership-after-resignations-bloodbath/5113635.article |access-date=13 September 2021 |work=Building |date=13 September 2021}}</ref> Paul Roberts, MD of global law firm Secretariat, said all 21 members of the RICS's governing council should be removed and replaced with new blood elected by the RICS membership.<ref name="Lowe-27Sep2021">{{cite news |last1=Lowe |first1=Tom |title=Clear out RICS' governing council and replace it with newly elected members, boss of global law firm says |url=https://www.building.co.uk/news/clear-out-rics-governing-council-and-replace-it-with-newly-elected-members-boss-of-global-law-firm-says/5113880.article |access-date=28 September 2021 |work=Building |date=27 September 2021}}</ref>
In October 2021, the RICS refused a request by 40 former and current employees to launch an investigation into how the institution selected staff to be furloughed during the COVID-19 pandemic. The employees group alleged that some staff were furloughed as RICS had considered them too supportive of the institution's membership, and sought a review of RICS's human resource procedures, but RICS refused, considering the matter closed.<ref name="Lowe-19Oct2021">{{cite news |last1=Lowe |first1=Tom |title=RICS rebuffs calls for investigation into staff furloughing during pandemic |url=https://www.building.co.uk/news/rics-rebuffs-calls-for-investigation-into-staff-furloughing-during-pandemic/5114236.article |access-date=19 October 2021 |work=Building |date=19 October 2021}}</ref>
The Cabinet Office provided advice on suitable individuals to lead the review of the RICS's future purpose.<ref name="Lowe-06Oct2021">{{cite news |last1=Lowe |first1=Tom |title=Government suggests candidates to lead RICS' 'future purpose' review |url=https://www.building.co.uk/news/government-suggests-candidates-to-lead-rics-future-purpose-review/5114039.article |access-date=8 October 2021 |work=Building |date=6 October 2021}}</ref> In December 2021, the RICS announced former senior civil servant Michael Bichard would lead a six-month review into its governance and future purpose, with three objectives set by the RICS's governing council: to "create clarity" about the RICS' purpose, to propose how the organisation could be a "beacon for best practice" in governance, transparency and accountability, and to ensure that governance is "fit for today" and could remain relevant in future.<ref name="Lowe-02Dec2021">{{cite news |last1=Lowe |first1=Tom |title=RICS appoints former senior civil servant to lead future purpose review |url=https://www.building.co.uk/news/rics-appoints-former-senior-civil-servant-to-lead-future-purpose-review/5115030.article |access-date=2 December 2021 |work=Building |date=2 December 2021}}</ref>
====Bichard review==== The 68-page Bichard review, recommending sweeping reforms, was published on 21 June 2022.<ref name="Lowe-21Jun2022">{{cite news |last1=Lowe |first1=Tom |title=RICS to remain 'truly international institution', leadership says as Bichard publishes review |url=https://www.building.co.uk/news/rics-to-remain-truly-international-institution-leadership-says-as-bichard-publishes-review/5118050.article |access-date=22 June 2022 |work=Building |date=21 June 2022}}</ref> It said the future success of the organisation would "require nothing less than a transformation of the institution carried out at pace"; the need for change was "urgent" and "unarguable". Bichard's recommendations included: a renewed and increased focus on the public interest remit of RICS, including amending the Royal Charter and creating a public interest panel to advise the RICS's Governing Council; maintaining self-regulation, through greater independence for regulatory functions; increased focus on diversity and inclusion; empowering and enabling members through greater support for regional boards, alongside increased member engagement, with renewed focus on younger members; an independent review of RICS's governance and effectiveness at delivering against its Charter for the public advantage once every five years; a new simplified, clear, accountable governance structure; and greater leadership on major society issues such as sustainability and climate change.<ref name="shoffman-21Jun2022">{{cite news |last1=Schoffman |first1=Marc |title=Bichard RICS Review: Need for change is 'urgent' and 'unarguable' |url=https://www.estateagenttoday.co.uk/breaking-news/2022/6/bichard-rics-review-need-for-change-is-urgent-and-unarguable |access-date=22 June 2022 |work=Estate Agent Today |date=21 June 2022}}</ref> Bichard also said the RICS should seek to continue to increase its influence overseas - a policy that was "very contentious" among the institution's 140,000 members.<ref name="Lowe-21Jun2022"/>
Bichard said: "My aim has been to help create a new sense of purpose and direction so that RICS can once more stand tall as an exemplar professional institution, capable of tackling the challenges which will shape the way we all live our lives in the years to come. Issues such as climate change and sustainability, improving the built environment and building safety all sit within the remit of RICS and will benefit from the contribution which a revitalised RICS could make."<ref name="shoffman-21Jun2022"/>
Nick Maclean, interim chair of RICS's governing council, said: "The Bichard RICS Review represents a watershed moment for the institution, and a key point in time which sets out a path for permanent improvement. Implementation of the recommendations will provide a solid accountable structure to effectively support our professionals and work in the public interest. RICS governing council strongly endorses the recommendations, and will implement these proposals."<ref name="shoffman-21Jun2022"/> McLean was set to stand down on 5 October 2022, his role being abolished as part of Bichard's recommendations; the chief executive role would also be replaced by a new director general.<ref name="Lowe-21Jun2022"/>
In August 2022, Bichard was appointed as interim senior independent governor through to 31 December 2023, responsible for scrutinising the actions of the RICS' governing council and committees.<ref name="Lowe-09Aug2022">{{cite news |last1=Lowe |first1=Tom |title=Michael Bichard appointed to senior RICS position |url=https://www.building.co.uk/news/michael-bichard-appointed-to-senior-rics-position/5118704.article |access-date=9 August 2022 |work=Building |date=9 August 2022}}</ref> In December 2022, the RICS announced the establishment of a new board to oversee day-to-day operations and deliver the governing council's strategic plan. It is to be chaired by former CBRE Group director Martin Samworth. He will also review proposed changes to constitutional documents, including the RICS's Royal Charter, recommended in Bichard's review.<ref name="Gayne-12Dec2022">{{cite news |last1=Gayne |first1=Daniel |title=RICS board chair named as governance shake-up continues |url=https://www.building.co.uk/news/rics-board-chair-named-as-governance-shake-up-continues/5120866.article |access-date=12 December 2022 |work=Building |date=12 December 2022}}</ref>
===Governance review over fire safety=== In January 2022, the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities was reporting to be planning legislation to enable regular reviews of the RICS's governance. Ministers were said to be frustrated by a RICS decision in December 2021 to maintain its valuation advice requiring External Wall System forms (EWS1s) on blocks under 18m high.<ref name="Brown-12Jan2022">{{cite news |last1=Brown |first1=Carl |title=Ministers plan law to order independent reviews of RICS governance |url=https://www.building.co.uk/news/ministers-plan-law-to-order-independent-reviews-of-rics-governance/5115545.article |access-date=12 January 2022 |work=Building |date=12 January 2022}}</ref> Richard Collins, the RICS's interim CEO, publicly questioned the need for the proposed new law to monitor RICS's governance.<ref name="Brown-03Feb2022">{{cite news |last1=Brown |first1=Carl |title=RICS boss hits back at plan for new monitoring powers over body |url=https://www.building.co.uk/news/rics-boss-hits-back-at-plan-for-new-monitoring-powers-over-body/5115898.article |access-date=3 February 2022 |work=Building |date=3 February 2022}}</ref>
===Presidents=== The first president was John Clutton, who was elected in 1868. The first female president was Louise Brooke-Smith, who was elected in 2014.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.rics.org/site/scripts/documents_info.aspx?categoryID=203&documentID=146 |title=A full list of past presidents |access-date=16 November 2011 |archive-date=18 November 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111118183541/http://www.rics.org/site/scripts/documents_info.aspx?categoryID=203&documentID=146 |url-status=dead }}</ref> {{columns-list|colwidth=22em| *'''1868''' John Clutton *'''1870''' Richard Hall *'''1872''' Edward Norton Clifton *'''1874''' Thomas Huskinson *'''1876''' Edmund James Smith *'''1878''' William Sturge *'''1880''' Edward Ryde *'''1883''' Thomas Smith-Woolley *'''1885''' Edward L’Anson *'''1886''' William James Beadel MP *'''1888''' Elias Putts Squarey *'''1890''' Robert Collier Driver *'''1892''' Charles John Schoppe *'''1894''' Thomas Chatfeild-Clarke *'''1895''' Daniel Watney *'''1897''' Christopher Oakley *'''1898''' Robert Vigers *'''1899''' Thomas Miller Mickman *'''1900''' John Sharp *'''1901''' Sir John F L Rolleston MP *'''1902''' Arthur Vernon *'''1903''' Albert Buck *'''1904''' Herbert Thomas Steward *'''1905''' Charles Bidwell *'''1906''' George Langridge *'''1907''' Thomas Taylor Wainwright *'''1908''' Howard Martin *'''1909''' Sir Alexander Rose Stennard *'''1910''' Leslie Robert Vigers *'''1911''' Sir W Edgar Horne MP *'''1912''' Hon Edward Gerald Strutt CH *'''1913''' William Edward Wooley *'''1914''' Howard Chatfield Clarke *'''1915''' John Henry Hanson *'''1916''' Rt Hon George Francis Stewart *'''1917''' Arthur Lyon Ryce *'''1918''' Sir John Hubert Oakley GBE *'''1919''' Andrew Young *'''1920''' John Willmot *'''1921''' Joseph Henry Sabin *'''1922''' John McClarke Clarke *'''1923''' Sir James Ingus Davidson *'''1924''' Sir Edwin Savill OBE *'''1925''' John David Wallis *'''1926''' Denly Watney *'''1927''' Edward Samuel Cox *'''1928''' Charles Browning Fisher CBE *'''1929''' Charles Henry Bidwells *'''1930''' Ernest Hootham Leeder *'''1931''' John Evans Bidwell *'''1932''' Percival Fox Tuckett *'''1933''' Charles Gerald Eve *'''1934''' Alan Arnold *'''1935''' Harry Mercow Stanley *'''1936''' John Medows Theobald *'''1937''' Robert Cobb *'''1938''' Sir Charles Bressey CB CBE *'''1939''' Oswald Healing *'''1940''' Herbert Arthur Stweward *'''1941''' Maj-Gen Sir Herbert Covington Cole CB *'''1942''' Geoffrey Leslie Vigers *'''1943''' William Charles Farnsworth *'''1944''' James Bark *'''1945''' Edward Bailey Gillet *'''1946''' Alfred George Harfield *'''1947''' Richard William Trumpler *'''1948''' Stanley Vivian Hoys *'''1949''' John Arthur Fowls Watson *'''1950''' Herbert Percival Hobbs *'''1951''' John Anthony Arnold-Forster OBE *'''1952''' John Cassles Pinkerton MC *'''1953''' George Arnold Coombe MC *'''1954''' Charles Percival Bowyer TD *'''1955''' William Robinson Brackett OBE TD *'''1956''' Walter Edward Avison Bull *'''1957''' William Morton Balch *'''1958''' Frances George Fruley OBE *'''1959''' John Lewe Postlethwaite *'''1960''' John Douglas Tristram Eve *'''1961''' Eric Codwill Strathem *'''1962''' Geofrey Henry Haywood *'''1963''' Charlie Dennis Pilcher *'''1964''' George Dixon Walford *'''1965''' Sir Henry Weston Wells CBE *'''1966''' Guy Biscoe *'''1967''' Hugh Brian Eve *'''1968''' Sir Oliver Sidney Chesterton MC *'''1969''' John Clarke OBE TD *'''1970''' Edmund James Battersby *'''1971''' John Brendon George MBE TD *'''1972''' Martin Somervell Argles *'''1973''' Edward Norman Harris AFC *'''1974''' Bernard John Collins CBE *'''1975''' David MacFarland Doig *'''1976''' Charles Field Frankton MBE *'''1977''' Frank Cecil Knowles *'''1978''' Peter Witheroe Grafton CBE *'''1979''' Ronald Marshall Wilson *'''1980''' John Nigel Courtenay James *'''1981''' Philip Richard Vernon Watkins *'''1982''' Richard William Peter Luff *'''1983''' Clifford Thomas Dann *'''1984''' Geoffrey Malcolm Townsend *'''1985''' Paul David Orchard-Lisle CBE TD DL *'''1986''' Donald Alexander Gordon Troup *'''1987''' Michael Garth Clarke TD *'''1988''' David Harris Robert Yorke *'''1989''' David Ronald Male *'''1990''' Sir Daniel Norton Idris Pearce CBE *'''1991''' Edward Watts *'''1992''' Christopher William Jonas *'''1993''' Clive Hewitt Lewis *'''1994''' Ron Swanston *'''1995''' Simon Francis Pott *'''1996''' Jeremy David Baggot Bayliss *'''1997''' Peter McKendrick *'''1998''' Richard Neville Lay *'''1999''' Simon Henry Kolesar *'''2000''' Jonathan David Harris OBE *'''2001''' Peter Ralph Faulkner *'''2002''' Peter William Fall *'''2003''' Nicholas Brooke *'''2004''' Barry Gordon Gilbertson *'''2005''' Stephen Glynn Williams *'''2006''' Graham Frank Chase *'''2007''' David William Tuffin *'''2008''' Peter Eliot Goodacre RD *'''2009''' Max Osborn Crofts *'''2010''' Robert Peto *'''2011''' See Lian Ong KMN *'''2012''' Alan Pascoe Collett *'''2013''' Micheal Clive Newey *'''2014''' Jane Louise Brooke-Smith *'''2015''' Martin Johannes Brühl *'''2016''' Amanda Georgina Clack *'''2017''' John Winston Hughes *'''2018''' Christopher John Brooke *'''2019''' Timothy Neal *'''2020''' Kathleen Fontana{{efn|name=PRES1|Following publication of the Levitt Review, Fontana resigned on 9 September 2021, with president-elect Clement Lau immediately succeeding her.<ref name="OBeirne-10Sep2021">{{cite news |last1=OBeirne |first1=Sarah |title=Four members of RICS leadership team step down |url=https://www.fmj.co.uk/four-members-of-rics-leadership-team-step-down/ |access-date=17 September 2021 |work=Facilities Management Journal |date=10 September 2021}}</ref>}} *'''2021-22''' Clement Lau *'''2023''' Ann Gray *'''2024''' Tina Paillet *'''2025''' Justin Sullivan<ref>{{cite news |title=New president for RICS |url=https://www.theconstructionindex.co.uk/news/view/new-president-for-rics |access-date=2 January 2025 |work=The Construction Index |date=2 January 2025}}</ref> *'''2025''' Nicholas Maclean OBE RD (acting president){{efn|name=PRES2|Just over two months after taking office, Sullivan stepped down in March 2025 due to his involvement in a legal dispute over a £32m moth-infested mansion. President-elect Nick Maclean took over temporarily.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Lowe |first1=Tom |title=RICS president steps aside amid probe into role in legal battle over £32m moth-infested mansion |url=https://www.building.co.uk/news/rics-president-steps-aside-amid-probe-into-role-in-legal-battle-over-32m-moth-infested-mansion/5134747.article |access-date=4 March 2025 |work=Building |date=4 March 2025}}</ref>}} }} {{notelist}}
==Administration== RICS headquarters is in London, with its main support functions in Birmingham. There are regional offices in the United Kingdom, across mainland Europe, in China, Singapore, Australia, the Middle East, Sub-Saharan Africa, North America and Brazil.
==Guidance== ===BCIS=== {{Main|BCIS}}
BCIS, the Building Cost Information Service, was established in 1962 and provides independent cost and price information to the construction industry and others needing comprehensive, accurate and independent data. It was spun out of RICS in 2022, becoming an independent company. {{Citation needed|date=January 2021}}
===Isurv=== {{Main|Isurv}}
Isurv is an online information service for expertise in natural and built environments. Launched by the RICS in September 2003, it provides insight from verified legal experts and industry practitioners relating to construction.
=== Rental valuation of public houses, bars, restaurants and nightclubs in England and Wales === The primary RICS professional guidance on this subject is covered at VPGA 4 Valuation.<ref>See also the [https://www.isurv.com/site/scripts/download_info.aspx?categoryID=176&downloadID=1269 capital and rental valuation of public houses, bars, restaurants and nightclubs in England and Wales]</ref> It provides practical assistance to valuers dealing with public houses which are valued and assessed in a completely different way than other commercial businesses.
Public houses are valued by the profits method of valuation, often referred to as Fair Maintainable Trade Or Turnover (FMT). The FMT method applies to tens of thousands of commercial properties in England and Wales and is the basis of rateable valuation by the Valuation Office Agency, who also follow this method. RICS guidance ('The Red Book') emphasises that a valuer specialising in such valuations are regularly involved in the market, as practical knowledge of the factors affecting the market is essential to analysis of comparable transactions.<ref>[https://www.rics.org/uk/upholding-professional-standards/sector-standards/valuation/red-book/ The Red Book Global Standards]</ref>
===SMM=== The ''Standard Method of Measurement'' (SMM) published by the RICS consisted of classification tables and rules of measurement, allowing use of a uniform basis for measuring building works. It was first published in 1922, superseding a Scottish Standard Method of Measurement which had been published in 1915. Its seventh edition (SMM7) was first published in 1988 and revised in 1998. SMM7 was replaced by the ''New Rules of Measurement'', volume 2 (NRM2), which were published in April 2012 by the RICS Quantity Surveying and Construction Professional Group and became operational on 1 January 2013.<ref>RICS, [https://www.isurv.com/directory_record/3081/smm7_standard_method_of_measurement_of_building_works RICS standards and guidance – SMM7: Standard method of measurement of building works], accessed 1 July 2020</ref> NRM2 has been in general use since July 2013.
SMM7 was accompanied by the Code of Procedure for the Measurement of Building Works (the SMM7 Measurement Code). Whilst SMM7 could have a contractual status within a project, for example in the JCT Standard form of Building Contract), the Measurement Code was not mandatory.<ref>Designing Buildings Wiki, [https://www.designingbuildings.co.uk/wiki/Standard_Method_of_Measurement_SMM7 Standard Method of Measurement], accessed 1 July 2020</ref>
NRM2 Is the second of three component parts within the NRM suite: * NRM1 – Order of cost estimating and cost planning for capital building works * NRM2 – Detailed measurement for building works * NRM3 – Order of cost estimating and cost planning for building maintenance works.<ref>RICS, [https://www.rics.org/uk/products/nrm/ NRM], accessed 2 August 2020</ref>
===Commercial leases=== A commercial lease code was published in 2020 as part of an RICS professional statement to promote best practice, replacing a code of practice for commercial leases first developed in 1995, with updates issued in 2002 and 2007.<ref name=freedman /> The initial code was seen as an attempt to balance relationships between landlords and premises renters, especially in the small business sector. The code adopted in 2020 reflected a perception that "the lettings market became more evenly balanced between landlords and tenants" by this time. The code operates as a professional statement with mandatory obligations applicable to RICS members and regulated firms, and separately as a "good practice" document without the mandatory requirements, for use outside a professional context.<ref name=freedman>Freedman, P., [https://ww3.rics.org/uk/en/journals/property-journal/the-commercial-lease-code-is-here.html The commercial lease code is here], ''Property Journal'', published 24 May 2020, accessed 26 May 2024</ref>
==Charitable works== Lionheart is the benevolent fund for past and present RICS members and their families. The charity was established in 1899 and provides financial support, health and well-being packages, and work-related counselling and befriending support. RICS also supports the Chartered Surveyors Training Trust, which helps young people enter the profession through apprenticeships;<ref>[http://www.rics.org/uk/about-rics/what-we-do/corporate-responsibility/member-welfare/chartered-surveyors-training-trust/ RICS] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150518082918/http://www.rics.org/uk/about-rics/what-we-do/corporate-responsibility/member-welfare/chartered-surveyors-training-trust/ |date=2015-05-18 }}</ref> Charity Property Help, which provides property advice to charities and voluntary organisations,<ref>[http://www.rics.org/uk/about-rics/what-we-do/corporate-responsibility/charity-property-help/ RICS] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150518082822/http://www.rics.org/uk/about-rics/what-we-do/corporate-responsibility/charity-property-help/ |date=2015-05-18 }}</ref> and The Chartered Surveyors' Voluntary Service (CSVS), a registered charity providing free property advice to people who would otherwise struggle to access professional assistance.<ref>[http://www.rics.org/uk/about-rics/what-we-do/corporate-responsibility/member-welfare/chartered-surveyors-voluntary-service/ RICS] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150518082820/http://www.rics.org/uk/about-rics/what-we-do/corporate-responsibility/member-welfare/chartered-surveyors-voluntary-service/ |date=2015-05-18 }}</ref>
== See also == *Chartered Institution of Civil Engineering Surveyors *Remote Sensing and Photogrammetry Society
==Notes== {{Reflist|group=note}}
== References == {{Reflist}}
==External links== * [https://www.rics.org RICS website] * [https://www.aiqs.com.au AIQS website]
{{Chartered Surveyor}} {{Construction overview}} {{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Royal Institution Of Chartered Surveyors}} Category:1868 establishments in the United Kingdom Category:Construction industry in the United Kingdom Category:Housing in the United Kingdom Category:Interested parties in planning in the United Kingdom Category:Organisations based in London with royal patronage Category:Organisations based in the City of Westminster Category:Organizations established in 1868 Chartered Surveyors Category:Professional valuation organizations Category:Real estate valuation Category:Real estate-related professional associations Category:Surveying organizations Category:Grade II listed buildings in the City of Westminster Category:Home inspection Category:Rural Coalition (England)