RICS: Members must have a vote for our organisation’s president

COMMENT The RICS’ headquarters, on Parliament Square, sits opposite the Palace of Westminster, a symbol of democratic governance. The imposing structure embodies the principles of representation and public debate, where voices converge to shape the nation’s future. The leaders of the political parties occupying the building, who in some cases become prime minister, are elected by party members. Yet, despite this proximity to the heart of democracy, RICS members lack the right to elect their own president. Many members express frustration with a system that excludes them from electing their leader. This disenfranchisement stands in stark contrast to the core principles of a democratic society and invites us to imagine a RICS where the president is chosen by the people they represent. A leader elected through a transparent and inclusive process, ensuring members’ priorities and concerns are heard, fostering a stronger sense of community and purpose. The process of electing the RICS president is notably lacking in transparency and member participation. An appointment panel of five individuals creates a longlist of candidates from the applications received, those shortlisted are interviewed, and the panel recommends suitable candidates to the Governing Council. From those, GC elects a senior vice president, who will become president two years later. To provide context, only eight of the current 29 GC seats are elected by members. This structure leads to the unelected selecting the unelected. This arrangement may have worked in the past, and I value the rich traditions and heritage that have shaped our institution. However, in today’s dynamic world, it is crucial to continuously evaluate our practices. A modernised approach to leadership selection, with direct member involvement in choosing the president, would reinforce democratic principles and demonstrate that RICS is responsive to change. I, and many members, strongly believe now is the time for that. Upsides to member participation A member-elected president would give members a sense of ownership and responsibility, reinforcing RICS as a community of professionals working towards shared goals. It would enhance legitimacy and accountability, improve representation, increase engagement within the RICS, and modernise its image. The RICS has acknowledged the need for discussion. After the Bichard review in 2022, which suggested that GC should consider whether the president is elected by GC or by the whole profession, the organisation decided that the senior vice president role should continue to be elected by GC, and that the question of how SVPs will be elected in future will form part of its next independent review in 2025. Until then, the SVP election will remain with GC. Many members find it concerning that GC made this decision, which impacts the entire membership, without any broader engagement, albeit they have done this in the past on other issues such as ceasing hard-copy journals in 2020. Many do not want another SVP selected by GC, and do not want this important matter to be treated as ‘kicking the can down the road’. Implementing a system where members vote for the president should not be impossible or overly challenging. The RICS need to have the courage to make the correct call. Legacy of progress, future of inclusion The RICS can take initial steps to implement a member-voted presidency, such as pausing the existing SVP election for the 2025 position; establishing clearly defined procedures for candidate nomination, campaigning and voting for a fair and inclusive election; educating its members about the importance of participating in the election process and the benefits of a member-voted presidency; and showing a willingness to embrace change and work collaboratively with members to implement a successful voting system. As a proud RICS member, I value the institution’s legacy and believe that we need a strong and effective RICS that truly embodies being member-led. This wouldn’t diminish the RICS’s legacy, but demonstrate its commitment to progress and inclusion. Let’s not just imagine an RICS where members have a voice and a vote — let’s make it a reality. Anthony Walker is a director at Sircle, a former RICS UK and Ireland world regional board member and a fellow of the RICS. He has also held various RICS advisory and professional group board roles A response from the RICS At RICS we want to reiterate our commitment to listening to, and engaging with, as wide a proportion of our membership base as we can. It is our intent to increase both the number of, and diversity of, applications for member roles within the organisation. We have had very strong applicants in recent months, which has meant some fantastic additions to our boards. We are running the SVP process now, with some adjustments due to member feedback. We are committed to reviewing the process again in the middle of next year but it is important to continue with this year’s selection, so that we have a fully staffed and functioning presidential team. This is for the benefit of all the organisation, its members, and the public interest. Our executive team, with the RICS UK Regional Boards and Governing Council, are hosting engagement events across the UK in June and we want to speak to as many of our members as possible, so if you have not engaged previously and would like to speak directly to the RICS team, I would encourage you to attend. There will be the opportunity for questions, and to collaborate in building a sustainable, resilient, and inclusive future for our industry.