The RICS Podcast

The demands of a Chartered Surveyor now have evolved since the desired qualities of years past, both in terms of skills & competency, and a surveyor’s character.This week on The RICS Podcast, President of Alexandra Capital, Alexandra Faciu MRICS joins Craig Ross MRICS, who is Associate Director for Safety and Security at Diriyah Company. They dive into the assurance that competency provides to surveyors throughout the profession, and how the demands in the industry have changed across their time as surveyors.This episode of The RICS Podcast covers:The evolving competencies required of chartered surveyors from adaptability to changing industry demandsHow mentorship and internal support programs help develop surveying professionals in their early careersRegional differences in surveying practice and regulation, with particular mention of the UK, Middle East, and North AmericaThe necessity for a growing focus on sustainability throughout the industryRoyal Institution of Chartered Surveyors:https://www.rics.org/uk/Alexandra Faciu MRICShttps://www.linkedin.com/in/alexandrafaciu/Craig Ross MRICShttps://www.linkedin.com/in/craig-ross-c-build-e-mcabe-csmp%C2%AE-m-ismi-mrics-msyl-6195a3112/

What makes a city is not just its construction, but the culture that thrives within it, and the two walk hand in hand with each other.This week on The RICS Podcast, Professor Greg Clark, Dr Caitlin Morrissey and Peter Hogg FRICS delve into what we mean by the ‘DNA’ of cities, what lies beneath it, and how the built environment complements what already exists.This episode of The RICS Podcast covers:How we define the DNA of cities, and the characteristics which comprise that DNAThe importance of public urban spaces in connecting cities’ inhabitantsWhat surveyors should consider about a city’s DNA when undertaking projectsGreat examples of UK cities which have built characterRoyal Institution of Chartered Surveyors:https://www.rics.org/uk/Professor Greg Clark https://www.linkedin.com/in/prof-greg-clark-cbe-01145119/Dr Caitlin Morrisseyhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/caitlinmorrissey/Peter Hogg FRICShttps://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-hogg-7153bb9/

Neurodiverse professionals in the built environment face unique challenges in the journey to becoming chartered, but with more awareness comes an increasing level of support for such APC candidates.Dan Knowles FRICS hosts this week’s episode of The RICS Podcast, where Morwenna Slade MRICS and Jennifer Hobart MRICS share their experiences with the assessment process as neurodivergent professionals.They discuss the complexities of the process, support that should be available, and why neurodivergence can be a superpower in the industry.This episode of The RICS Podcast covers:Considerations that assessors can make for neurodiverse candidates in the final assessmentHow neurodiverse assessors can support those with particular requirementsFinding different learning styles to better suit your APC journeyHow employers can support neurodiverse peopleThe benefits to teams of hiring professionals with varied specialisms and traitsRoyal Institution of Chartered Surveyors:https://www.rics.org/uk/Dan Knowles FRICShttps://www.linkedin.com/in/dan-knowles-frics-821bbb22/Jennifer Hobart MRICShttps://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-hobart-mrics-b6954552/Morwenna Slade MRICShttps://www.linkedin.com/in/morwenna-slade-9130b470/

The world of surveying is diverse, dynamic and engaging every day for the professionals who work within it - aspects which should appeal to the many talented young people looking to join the sector.This week’s episode of The RICS Podcast showcases the journeys, experiences and insights of four fantastic surveying professionals - David Broschomb MRICS, Millie Mason MRICS, Yusuf Javaid and Emily Hayden MRICS.We discuss the value of continuous learning, the ability to have a tangible impact on the built environment around you, and how much societal change can be made by encouraging others into the sector.This episode of The RICS Podcast covers:What first drew David, Millie, Yusuf and Emily to the industryHow you can shape the properties with which you workLearning curves and opportunities within the professionHow we can build public awareness for surveying as a careerRoyal Institution of Chartered Surveyors:https://www.rics.org/uk/David Broschomb MRICShttps://www.linkedin.com/in/david-broschomb-mrics-favlp-registered-valuer-b84b6618/Millie Mason MRICShttps://www.linkedin.com/in/millie-mason-933928b0/Yusuf Javaidhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/yusuf-j-1a530915b/Emily Hayden MRICShttps://www.linkedin.com/in/emily-hayden-9b138637/

The role of Facilities Managers has shifted in today’s market, which values people, planet and purpose in the provision of sustainable buildings.In this compelling episode of the RICS podcast, Greg Davison MRICS and Robin Leow FRICS dive into the critical role of Facilities Management (FM) in driving sustainable building practices, drawing upon global experiences. They’ll explore how to navigate sustainability challenges, leverage smart technologies, and align with regulatory frameworks like Singapore's green building initiatives. This episode of The RICS Podcast covers:The evolving role of facilities management, from traditional maintenance to strategic sustainability enablers Sustainable FM strategies to reduce carbon footprint through smart technologies, energy optimization, and collaborative approaches across the real estate ecosystemInsights into Singapore's green building regulations, including the 80-80-80 vision and GO25 initiativeHow AI, IoT, digital twins, and smart building systems are revolutionising facility management and enabling data-driven decision-makingThe importance of engaging key stakeholders to create holistic, values-driven sustainability solutions in the built environmentRoyal Institution of Chartered Surveyors:https://www.rics.org/uk/Robin Leow FRICShttps://www.linkedin.com/in/robinleow/Greg Davison MRICShttps://www.linkedin.com/in/gregorydavison/

With a rapid growth of urbanisation in recent years around the world, the role of the surveyor is vital in ensuring we get a positive outcome from urbanisation.In this episode of The RICS Podcast, Professor Greg Clark, Tom Webber MRICS and Bourane Gille discuss the surveyor’s impact on how urbanisation helps cities to grow positively, create opportunities, and last for decades to come.This episode of The RICS Podcast covers:The rapid global increase in urbanisation, highlighting the potential for 90% urbanisation by 2080How successful urban development requires shared place leadership, with collaboration between public and private sectors, universities, businesses, and civil societySurveyors’ critical role in urban leadership, providing evidence-based, robust approaches to complex development processesThe need for urban leaders to adopt a long-term perspective, designing for flexibility and resilienceRoyal Institution of Chartered Surveyors:https://www.rics.org/uk/Professor Greg Clarkhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/prof-greg-clark-cbe-01145119/Borane Gillehttps://www.linkedin.com/in/borane-gille-135330133/Tom Webber MRICS MRTPIhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/tomwebber1/

If materials can’t be grown, then they need to be mined - the importance of the mineral sector in the built environment is absolutely essential, yet often overlooked.This week’s episode of The RICS Podcast highlights how we can raise the sector’s profile, and attract new professionals to mineral surveying, drawing upon the experiences of host Barnaby Pilgrim FRICS, and guests Matthew Cuthbert MRICS and Neil Hughes MRICS.This episode of The RICS Podcast covers:The critical importance of minerals underpinning everything from housing and infrastructure to technology and daily consumer productsMineral surveyors’ complex role in managing the entire lifecycle of mineral extractionSustainability and environmental challenges in the minerals industryHow future talent can be attracted to the diverse, rewarding career opportunities available to new professionals in the fieldRoyal Institution of Chartered Surveyors:https://www.rics.org/uk/Matthew Cuthbert MRICS https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-cuthbert-451647176/

Skills are a critical part of the APC assessment, and continue to serve you throughout your career in surveying, but which skills are best to prioritise to succeed in today’s industry?This episode of The RICS Podcast features the fantastic insights of Kate Taylor FRICS, Annabel Huffer MRICS and Abdul Alimi MRICS, drawing on experiences from both sides of the assessment process.They’ll explore the evolving landscape of professional development in surveying, diverse career pathways, and the critical skills needed to thrive in the built environment. This episode of The RICS Podcast covers:The multiple entry paths into surveying, including apprenticeships, graduate schemes, and non-traditional backgroundsImportance of soft skills in the APC process and throughout the surveying careerChanges in surveying over recent years, such as the increased focus on sustainability, ESG, diversity, and technological innovationThe value of mentorship, networking, and ongoing professional development beyond initial qualification, particularly for early-career professionalsRoyal Institution of Chartered Surveyors:https://www.rics.org/uk/Annabel Huffer MRICShttps://www.linkedin.com/in/annabel-huffer-bsc-hons-mrics-548795158/Abdul Alimi MRICShttps://www.linkedin.com/in/alimiaaKate Taylor FRICShttps://www.linkedin.com/in/apctaylormade/

Flexible workspaces represent a growing need for surveyors to prepare for a wildly changing future of the commercial real estate market.So how can professionals adapt to the uptick in flexible space, and how does the data available to us today help us to understand and value this evolving sector?These questions are at the heart of this week’s episode of The RICS Podcast, as we dive into flex space with JLL Director Christy Bowen, IWG’s CEO Mark Dixon, and Director of HEWN, Will Kinnear.This episode of The RICS Podcast covers:The immaturity of the flexible office sector and its rapid growthThe importance of data sharing and benchmarkingThe evolving role of surveyors, who must move beyond traditional valuation and agency models to understand operational real estatePractical advice on how professionals can stay relevant by leveraging data, flex space economics, and creative solutions for clientsThe importance of surveyors having of a deep understanding of flex space before they advise in this areaDisclaimer: The views shared in this episode are the participants’ own, not RICS’.Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors:https://www.rics.org/uk/Mark Dixonhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/markdixoniwg/Will Kinnearhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/will-kinnear-5832a122/Christy Bowenhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/christy-bowen-4678478a/

The transition to greener energy sources is an ongoing endeavour, and the role that surveyors will play in that transition is a growing one in both importance and impact.Discussing this shift, this week The RICS Podcast welcomes Jenny Stanning, Stephen Thompson FRICS, Amit Patel MRICS and host Roger Esson MRICS to discuss the trends emerging in the energy sector, and their effects on the surveying profession.This episode of The RICS Podcast covers:The surprising amounts of energy still being derived from oil and gasRICS members’ roles in transitioning to a greener energy mix and a more sustainable futureHow to get young kids, particularly young girls, interested in construction and STEMThe role of standards in the energy transitionAmit Patelhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/amit-patel-902a341a/Jenny Stanning https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenny-stanning-40217539/Roger Essonhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/rogeresson/