The RICS Podcast

One of the fantastic elements to surveying is the number of routes into the profession. This week The RICS Podcast showcases three members who began their paths in other regulated professions before becoming surveyors themselves.Demi Yianni is joined this week by Kirsten Hald and Maria Wiedner to discuss their vastly different backgrounds, transferable skills, how they explain their roles to friends and family, and the most important personality traits in surveying.This episode of The RICS Podcast covers:Kirsten’s teaching career before her entry to surveyingTransferable skills from Maria’s past, including work in finance and the UNWhy surveying stuck out compared to previous vocationsThe challenge of explaining surveying roles to loved onesThe top personality traits for those looking to become a surveyorRoyal Institution of Chartered Surveyors: https://www.rics.org/uk/Demi Yianni: https://www.linkedin.com/in/demi-yianni/Kirsten Hald: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kirsten-marie-hald/Maria Wiedner: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariawiedner/

The MIPIM Challengers initiative creates space for the next generation of professionals to share fresh ideas and new perspectives, and this year’s winners include Betsy Brady and Ioana Orzea.Betsy & Ioana join James Fiske on this episode of The RICS Podcast to share their approach to rethinking embodied carbon as an asset, how we can educate others on driving sustainability in real estate, and young professionals’ drive to decarbonise the built environment.This episode of The RICS Podcast covers:Treating embodied carbon not as a one-time cost, but as a resource to be managed and amortised over a building's lifecycleThe MIPIM Challengers showcasing how younger professionals are driving creative solutions to decarbonise the built environmentThe importance of measuring and tracking carbon emissions throughout a building's entire lifecycleUpskilling professionals by developing consistent carbon pricing methodologies and creating career paths focused on carbon managementStrategies for measuring, reducing, and accounting for embodied carbonRoyal Institution of Chartered Surveyors:https://www.rics.org/uk/James Fiskehttps://www.linkedin.com/in/james-fiske-bcis/Betsy Bradyhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/betsy-brady-853348148/Ioana Orzeahttps://www.linkedin.com/in/ioana-orzea-60637813a/

The final assessment can naturally set off nerves for many candidates preparing for their presentations, so this week’s RICS podcast is centred around calming nerves and preparing to perform at your peak. Offering perspectives from the candidate side and as an assessor herself, Michelle Parkes joins Ellie Sainsbury to share strategies to calm nerves ahead of your final assessment. If you would like to find out more about the range of local and global resources available to help you through your assessment journey, please visit our dedicated candidate support pages on the RICS website. This episode of The RICS Podcast covers:Michelle’s personal experiences with the assessment, on both sides of the panelTips on long-term preparation and short-term strategies to alleviate stress and nervesThe assessors’ roles being to help you perform your best, rather than to be imposingTools to help you practise, rehearse and self-assess your presentationResources discussed: LionHeart - APC SupportRoyal Institution of Chartered Surveyors:https://www.rics.org/uk/RICS Candidate Supporthttps://www.rics.org/join-rics/candidate-supportLionhearthttps://www.lionheart.org.uk/

Whether it’s communication with stakeholders or with the public, the importance of a regulator is key to how firms operate in the built environment.In this episode of The RICS Podcast, Shannett Thompson (Kingsley Napley) and Chris Adler (RICS) join Nigel Clarke to explore the vital role of professional regulators, and how they interact with the regulated professions, with a particular focus on the Standards and Regulation Board, of which Nigel is the Chair. This episode of The RICS Podcast covers:The role of the regulator, and how it interacts with the professional bodyHow the SRB differs from other regulatorsHow regulators stay relevant to those leading the profession forwardRoyal Institution of Chartered Surveyors:https://www.rics.org/uk/Nigel Clarkehttps://www.linkedin.com/in/nclarke/Shannett Thompsonhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/shannett-thompson-0039046a/Chris Alderhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/christopher-alder-b528822a/

There are incredible female voices at the forefront of surveying across the industry, but if we’re to see a more equitable industry, the issue of retaining talent is a vital one to solve.This essential episode of The RICS Podcast talks through some of the deep-rooted issues affecting DEI in surveying today, and we hear what initiatives might create a more inclusive environment for all as Kelly Canterford FRICS speaks with Kevina Kakembo MRICS and David Hourihan FRICS.This episode of The RICS Podcast covers:Career progression barriers currently faced in the industry, from unconscious bias to pay disparities and limited representation in leadership rolesHow flexible working policies and supportive return-to-work programs are crucial for retaining women in the professionRepresentation and role models in leadership positions, and encouraging new talent to enter and remain in the surveying industryIntersectionality within gender discrimination, where other factors like socio-economic background, ethnicity, and family status compounds challengesThe holistic approach to cultural change, from unconscious bias training to mentorship programsRoyal Institution of Chartered Surveyors:https://www.rics.org/uk/Kevina Kakembo MRICShttp://linkedin.com/in/kevinakakembo/Kelly Canterford MRICShttps://www.linkedin.com/in/kelly-canterford-mrics-52458a1/David Hourihan FRICShttps://www.linkedin.com/in/davidhourihan/

Mental health and wellbeing is a key pillar in today’s world, and while it’s historically been more challenging for men in construction to be open, there’s more vital support now than ever before.Tomi Laguda leads a deep and honest discussion on The RICS Podcast this week with Scott Pearshouse MRICS, as he shares his own mental health journey in construction, and Mark McBride Wright, who shares essential steps we can all take to foster a safer working environment for everyone.CONTENT WARNING // This episode of The RICS Podcast discusses sensitive topics surrounding suicide to raise awareness for those affected - if you or someone that you know is in need of support, resources can be found in the ‘Links and References’, or Samaritans are available to call free at 116 123.This episode of The RICS Podcast covers:Major day-to-day pressures on men’s mental healthIdentifying the signs that you, or someone you know, should seek supportOur collective responsibility for changing the culture to one where mental wellbeing is prioritisedLeaders’ roles in creating a more open, safe and welcoming workplace Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors:https://www.rics.org/uk/RICS Lionhearthttps://www.lionheart.org.uk/Mark McBride Wrighthttps://www.linkedin.com/in/markmcbridewright/Tomi Lagudahttps://www.linkedin.com/in/tom%C3%AD-l-9a0782139/Scott Pearshouse MRICShttps://www.linkedin.com/in/scott-pearshouse-mrics-b3391952/

The quality of spaces relies strongly on how well they’re designed to serve human experiences, so in this episode of The RICS Podcast we explore the power of placemaking.Olga Turner Baker MRICS (Managing Director, Ekkist) hosts Nicholas Boys Smith (Chair of the Office for Place and Author & Director, Create Streets) whose passion for quality spaces and placemaking makes for a fascinating conversation around good urbanism, new approaches to planning, and the balance between greenbelt and development.This episode of The RICS Podcast covers:What ignited Nicholas’ passion for high quality spaces, and motivated him to make changeWhy the quality of placemaking is at its current standardProjects which demonstrate great placemakingThe biggest urban design challenges and priorities facing the UK government now and going forwardRoyal Institution of Chartered Surveyors:https://www.rics.org/uk/Nicholas Boys Smithhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/nicholas-boys-smith-800614/Olga Turner Baker MRICShttps://www.linkedin.com/in/olga-turner-baker-mrics-well-ap-128b5729/

With the range of roles in the built environment, the opportunity for promotion into new roles is a key one for both financial incentive and job fulfilment.In this episode of The RICS Podcast, Hilan Shah MRICS is joined by Alice Graham MRICS and Adam Ledger, a student member of RICS, to discuss how pay and promotions scale in the sector, and essential skills that have helped in their career progression so far.This episode of The RICS Podcast covers:The impact of technology and automation on the construction industryHow a growth mindset helps to stay competitive and adaptable in the industrySelf-advocacy and personal branding within the construction sectorGender and ethnicity-based pay gaps, and the skills & actions to help address such disparitiesRoyal Institution of Chartered Surveyors: https://www.rics.org/uk/Hilan Shah MRICS" https://www.linkedin.com/in/hilanshah/Alice Graham MRICS: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aliceagraham/Adam Ledger: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-ledger-051980209/

There is a world of difference between a general surveyor and an RICS surveyor, but why should professionals become accredited with RICS, and why should the public use an RICS surveyor?In this episode of The RICS Podcast episode Majella Galvin MRICS is joined by Corrinne McLeish FRICS and James Raven, as they delve into the role and value of RICS surveyors, their values, and the rewarding, diverse day-to-day work to be found in the career.This episode of The RICS Podcast covers:The value and professionalism of RICS chartered surveyorsDiverse career paths and day-to-day responsibilities experienced by surveyors across different sectorsThe importance of networking, mentorship, and professional development within the RICS communityPublic perceptions, and the need to educate them on the various types of surveyors and their rolesThe ethical values and standards that guide RICS surveyors in their workRoyal Institution of Chartered Surveyors: https://www.rics.org/uk/Majella Galvin MRICS: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dnggalvin/Corrinne McLeish FRICS: https://www.linkedin.com/in/corrinne-mcleish-frics-mciarb-llm-b1878262/James Raven: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-raven-729a52206/

Art is a unique world in which valuation standards play a vital role for RICS professionals, and gives us insight into the role of an Appraiser.This week’s episode of The RICS Podcast explores the art industry with Alvah T Beander FRICS, Barden Prisant FRICS and Ergina Xydous MRICS, discussing the distinct roles of art historians, curators, authenticators, and appraisers, with stories of how they’ve handled unique and unconventional art pieces.This episode of The RICS Podcast covers:The importance of following industry guidelines and standards when conducting art and antique appraisalsDistinctions between the roles of art historians, curators, authenticators, and appraisersChallenges in appraising unique, niche, or unconventional art pieces The impact of timing and locality on fair market value assessmentsAttracting and mentoring the next generation of appraisers for a future of digitised artRoyal Institution of Chartered Surveyors: https://www.rics.org/uk/Alvah T. Beander FRICS: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alvahtbeandermrics-91199312/Barden Prisant FRICS: https://www.linkedin.com/in/m-barden-prisant-frics-frsa-7bb18117/Ergina Xydous MRICS: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ergina-xydous/