Ousted RICS non-execs find closure after ‘worrying’ ordeal

The four dismissed RICS non-executive board members at the heart of Alison Levitt QC’s report into the organisation’s governance scandal have expressed their hope that the institution will make “far-reaching” reforms to re-establish trust. In a joint statement shared with EG, Amarjit Atkar, Bruce McAra, Simon Hardwick and Steve Williams described the period after their contracts were terminated in 2019 as “very difficult and worrying, both personally and professionally”. The former non-executives have said they are now appeased by the institution’s acceptance of the issues they raised in 2019 concerning a critical BDO report into treasury management controls. The quartet now express their hope that, by adopting and implementing Levitt’s recommendations, the organisation will “be strengthened in the future to operate in the very best interests of the public it was created to serve”. In her 467-page report into the events leading to their dismissal, Levitt highlighted that the quartet “did not deserve” their treatment and that they acted rightfully. She has recommended that RICS makes a public apology to them. The statement in full “We have not yet had an opportunity to read the whole report but are pleased to hear that Alison Levitt QC has concluded we were genuinely concerned about fulfilling our duties to RICS, which we took very seriously, and did not deserve the treatment to which we were subjected. “We note her finding that we should receive a public apology, which we have been assured RICS will provide. We also note the comments by Nick Maclean on behalf of governing council that he considers our conduct was exemplary and that we were right and brave to raise the issues we did in the face of hostility. “As non-executive members of the management board we sought to discharge our responsibilities with integrity in the interests of the 130,000 RICS members and the global public they serve. “The prolonged period since our termination has been very difficult and worrying, both personally and professionally. We are pleased that the issues about which we first raised concerns in 2019 have now been accepted by the institution and that it has committed to making far-reaching reforms to re-establish trust. “We are hopeful that in adopting and implementing Alison Levitt’s positive recommendations, the RICS will be strengthened in the future to operate in the very best interests of the public it was created to serve.” See also: Levitt’s RICS report: 10 key takeaways To send feedback, e-mail pui-guan.man@eg.co.uk or tweet @PuiGuanM or @EGPropertyNews  Photo by  Jeff Blackler/Shutterstock