The RICS Podcast

Toronto has been an exciting test bed for the creative mixed-use building model, combining interests of different parties to achieve individual goals and extend their benefits city-wide.Sharing his observations within Canada, and how the model might work globally, is Matti Siemiatycki, Professor in Department of Geography & Planning and Director of the Infrastructure Institute at School of Cities, University of Toronto.In this WBEF episode of The RICS Podcast, we explore the foundational ideas behind the creative mixed-use model, the collaborative process, and goals it hopes to achieve.This episode of WBEF covers:The existing mixed use model and how creative mixed use builds upon itHow developments within this model have been received in TorontoBenefits to individual parties and citywide objectives of creative mixed useChallenges that each party within the arrangement must addressHow the model could develop in a global context

In April of 2022, 6 professional bodies came together to sign a Memorandum of Understanding to drive a more diverse, equitable and inclusive sector, and that’s just the first step.Sharing how we, as an industry, can move forward and develop strategies to achieve EDI goals, Paloma Armora is joined this week on The RICS Podcast by Mark Harrison, Machel Bogues, and the familiar voice of RICS’ Sybil Taunton.This episode of The RICS Podcast covers:The inception of the MoU and how it came to beCritical areas of focus and why good data is of primary importanceHow other professional bodies can join the initiative

In this podcast, we are joined by Alex Dorling, MRICS, Assessor, Chair and Counsellor to discuss the role of a counsellor, the relationship between counsellors and candidates and the support that is available.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.Resources discussed:LionHeart - APC SupportCounsellor/Supervisor training webinars – register your interest by emailing ukicandidatesupport@rics.orgThis episode of The RICS Podcast covers:Insight into the role of counsellors, and their working relationship with candidatesCounselling in remote, hybrid and in-person environmentsDiffering approaches to best support referred candidates compared to new candidatesSupport for those who become counsellors, and the rewarding benefits of doing so

The property and real estate sector can be an incredibly rewarding and connected industry, particularly for those involved with the professional group panels.In this week’s podcast, Jeremy Leaf shares with RICS’ Mairead Carroll his route into the real estate sector, experience in developing within the industry, and how Jeremy maintains his passion for property.This episode of The RICS Podcast covers:Jeremy’s route into real estate and founding his own business within itThe slow, steady disruption in the sectorAdvice for those beginning their APC journey into chartered surveyingBenefits for those involved with RICS professional group panels

RICS’ commitment to further developing the built environment in a more sustainable manner is paramount, and providing a global take on this is a key task for our newest President, Ann Gray.We hear from Ann in the latest World Built Environment Forum episode of The RICS Podcast to see how the role of RICS professionals is set to evolve, the key considerations for the industry, and how those considerations are being tackled on a worldwide scale.This episode of The RICS Podcast covers:RICS’ key goals around Net Zero, provision of adequate housing and protecting natural resourcesFindings from The RICS’ Sustainability ReportChallenges and opportunities when tackling sustainability in the US and other global marketsThe evolving role of professionals to meet upcoming demand for a more sustainable industry

Technology is an ever-shifting phenomenon, and while data has always been a source of innovation, AI has accelerated the utility of data, particularly in the built environment.In this week’s World Built Environment Forum podcast, Andrew Min joins Andrew Knight to take us into the technological use cases for data & artificial intelligence, and how they’re evolving our perceptions of what the built environment can offer.This episode of The RICS Podcast covers:Reimagining the built environment in New York through dataHow client demands for technology have grown in the real estate asset sectorUsing data to further extend a focus on ESG, particularly with regard to tracking social changeThe future of the sector, and where AI fits into the equation

As the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors is an organisation with global reach, there’s a key consideration for diversity and inclusion standards with respect to local regulations and cultural norms.Playing a huge role in this is the Standards & Regulation Board, and we’re joined on The RICS Podcast this week by two of its members - Deborah Nicol-Omeruah & Dele Oyekanmi.Deborah & Dele join Christine O’Rourke to share how RICS members should consider approaches to diversity & inclusion-related issues with respect to international conventions.This episode of The RICS Podcast covers:The Standards & Regulation Board’s approach to applying ethical values globallyApproaching the challenge of applying rules of conduct in countries with differing views on LGBTQ issuesHow RICS imparts its rules of conduct in a way which doesn’t overly impose a UK-based outlook on global territories

In achieving large-scale diversity and inclusion, a diverse workforce is only half the puzzle - empowerment comes from a truly inclusive culture throughout your business.Joining Sybil Taunton (RICS, Head of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion) on this week’s RICS Podcast are Chanelle Gray (Savills, Head of Diversity and Inclusion) & Marsha Ramroop (Founder of Unheard Voice). We hear how to identify cultural issues within teams, solutions to create inclusivity throughout your organisation, and how to tackle the challenging issue of unconscious bias.This episode of The RICS Podcast covers:How inclusive culture is shaped by leadersDiversifying and retaining early career talent The strength of cultural intelligenceCreating a framework of conscious behaviours, and catching unconscious bias

The conversation around accessibility in the built and natural environment continues to grow, with disability rightly becoming a priority when designing spaces.Mike Adams is CEO of Purple, and continues to lead changes in the disability conversation, and joins RICS’ Sybil Taunton alongside Accessibility & Inclusive Environments Specialist, Jean Hewitt for this week’s episode of The RICS Podcast.We cover the wide-spanning accessibility needs beyond our typical perceptions, why it’s key for organisations to prioritise inclusion, and how professionals can further improve the built environment for those with disabilities.This episode of The RICS Podcast covers:What accessibility means beyond typical perceptions of physical space and audiovisual contentThe largest risks to organisations when accessibility isn’t prioritisedWhere built environment professionals can make impact to create more inclusive spaces

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion as values may begin within your own organisation, but how can we ensure that the same commitment extends throughout our supply chain?Martin Smith, Director at TFT, and Ian McGuinness, Partner at Knight Frank LLP, join our Head of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Sybil Taunton to share methods to instil similar values with supply partners.This episode of The RICS Podcast covers:Why organisations can benefit from having public statements on diversity, equity and inclusionMaking commitments clear with clientsFulfilling your potential to influence the supply chain with your valuesAdvice for professionals faced with clients not aligned with goals around diversity and inclusion