RICS appoints new chief executive

The RICS has named former Knight Frank chief operating officer Justin Young as its new chief executive, tasked with taking the organisation through the next stages of its turnaround strategy.   Young, who was also previously a captain in the British Army, will take up the leadership role at the RICS on 5 July. He will replace Richard Collins, who was appointed interim CEO in October 2021 following the reforms recommended by the Levitt report. The RICS launched its search for a permanent boss, initially with a director-general title, last year after Lord Michael Bichard published his recommendations for overhauling its management structure. Young is managing director of consultancy Hattingley Associates, which he joined in November last year. Before that, he was partner and COO at Knight Frank for around five years. Young has also spent time in the military, including commanding a tank troop on Operation Desert Storm in the 1990s. Previous roles also include COO at law firm Holman Fenwick Willan, and COO and general manager of law firm Clifford Chance’s South East Asia division. The RICS cited Young’s background in operational management and business transformation programmes, including those focused on customer experience. It added that he has built “successful” partnerships and alliances between firms in global networks as well as operations in new locations. The organisation said promoting diversity in real estate is a “key interest” of Young’s, pointing to his involvement with the cross-sector Changing the Face of Property initiative. Young said: “I feel highly energised by this opportunity to drive further strategic, cultural and operational change to RICS – providing the right environment in which members reap the benefits of thought leadership and influence, professional development and unparalleled networks.  “Operational excellence and people focus have been central to the leadership roles I have had throughout my career, as have projects to improve not only the service being delivered to clients, but also the experience for staff working in those organisations.  “Success comes from creating the environment that enables all parts of an organisation to work together towards a common goal, and I am really looking forward to playing my part in making sure RICS gives a world-class service, continues to drive trust and confidence through regulation and brings positive change to the built and natural environment.”  Martin Samworth, chair of the RICS board, said: “Justin is the ideal candidate for this role. As an established leader in real estate he understands our work and the scale of what we deliver in the built and natural environment – but he also has the diversity of skills and leadership experience to continue RICS’s journey as we drive our sustainability and diversity agenda.  “Justin’s background in transforming teams and organisations is key to driving forward our agenda alongside our members’ and board’s input and expertise.” RICS president Ann Gray said: “The complexity of the challenges we face has never been greater, but this is matched with a truly unique set of opportunities given the contribution of the profession and its great potential.  “Justin has the passion, commitment, skills and people focus to help us lead, influence, regulate and inspire the next generation of surveyors and built environment professionals, and I am looking forward to working with him and his team as we continue to build on the great work of a great profession.”   To send feedback, e-mail pui-guan.man@eg.co.uk or tweet @PuiGuanM or @EGPropertyNews