Next generation in focus in Bichard review of the RICS

Supporting and valuing younger members of the RICS is likely to be one of the key recommendations put forward in Lord Michael Bichard’s external review of the body. Bichard, who was appointed to conduct the review in December, has now had more than 500 contributions and held some 55 meetings with individuals and groups from across the real estate profession. With the majority of his investigation now complete, he plans to start writing the report and coming up with his recommendations in April, with a view to delivering the document to the RICS in early June. “This is not a Levitt mark two,” said Bichard. “This is not a post-mortem of that review. This is a forward-looking review to help the RICS move forward.” Bichard said that while he would deliver clear recommendations for the RICS on its purpose and governance he would offer only advice around its culture and strategy, stating that “only the leadership can take that forward”. While Bichard would not be drawn on the exact themes of his recommendations, a focus on membership engagement, young talent, and diversity and inclusion will clearly feature. Bichard said he had had a “robust exchange of views” with the Property Advisers Forum (the leaders of the UK’s largest real estate agencies) about what they wanted to see changed at the RICS. Last September, members of the PAF, led by Cushman & Wakefield’s UK head George Roberts, sent an open letter to the RICS urging it to grasp a “generational opportunity to modernise”. The letter outlined a number of key areas it should focus on, including “promoting the built environment to tomorrow’s talent” and “equipping current and prospective members to be effective in a changing world”. Bichard said he had been surprised by the emphasis on improving D&I in the profession during his research and had been encouraged by conversations with RICS Matrics, its younger membership support network. “I will place a lot of emphasis on the RICS valuing and supporting its younger membership,” he said, “which has been given less attention in the past.” Bichard added that he would also be looking at how members are engaged with the RICS and whether they felt they were sufficiently involved with the body, and at the relevancy of the royal charter. He said that while he did believe that the charter remained relevant in general, there were parts of it that “needed attention” and that the RICS needed to be more than just a membership body. During his investigation, Bichard said he had been looking at all of the UK’s professional bodies and bodies similar to the RICS around the world to guide his recommendations around best practice. Overall, Bichard said that he was pleased with the way that his review was going and that participants were largely keen to see the RICS re-established as an industry body of which they could be proud. “People are generally in agreement of the issues,” he said. “There is a passion that people have for the professional and a strong desire for the RICS to move forward.” He added: “Ultimately it is up to the RICS to take on my recommendations. Not many organisations have this opportunity.” To send feedback, e-mail tim.burke@eg.co.uk or tweet @_tim_burke or @EGPropertyNews