The RICS Podcast

Across the built environment we’re seeing an ever-growing contingent of fantastic female professionals enriching the sector, yet there’s plenty more to be done in the D&I space.In this episode of The RICS Podcast, we’re marking International Women’s Day with a panel of four senior professionals - Susanne Eickermann Riepe FRICS, Komilla Chadha MRICS, Hannah Jeong MRICS and Sara Cameron FRICS. Their discussion considers how the industry can evolve to further improve opportunities for female professionals and support the progress of experienced women within the sector.This episode of The RICS Podcast covers:The panel’s route into the profession, and the particular challenges they’ve faced in their respective territoriesHow industry leaders can most effectively welcome a more diverse workforce into their firmsRICS’ role in gender diversity and equalityThe impact that male allies can have in achieving greater gender balanceRoyal Institution of Chartered Surveyors:https://www.rics.org/uk/Susanne Eickermann Riepehttps://www.linkedin.com/in/s-eickermann-riepe-pwc/Komilla Chadhahttps://www.linkedin.com/in/komillachadha/Hannah Jeonghttps://www.linkedin.com/in/hannah-jeong-b70ab031/Sara Cameronhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/sara-cameron-9bb65232/

The UK Chancellor’s budget on Wednesday announced a host of new fiscal measures, but it remains to be seen whether we’re to expect another fiscal event by the end of this year.Simon Rubinsohn (RICS Chief Economist) is joined on this week’s RICS Podcast by James Sproule (Chief Economist - UK at Handelsbanken) & Ola Alade (Professional Group Panel Member - Commercial Property at RICS) to discuss the biggest economic takeaways from the budget, focus on how the property sector is affected by the budget, and consider whether we’re likely to see another budget before the next General Election.This episode of The RICS Podcast covers:A summation of the main themes from Jeremy Hunt’s budgetRamifications of the budget on the housing market en masseHow Ola’s clients are looking at commercial vs residential property opportunitiesEffects of the headline announcement of a 2p cut in National InsuranceRoyal Institution of Chartered Surveyors: https://www.rics.org/uk/James Sproule: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-sproule-03b0569/Ola Alade: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mroalade/Simon Rubinsohn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simon-rubinsohn-43124162/

Welcome back to another RICS podcast episode led by the RICS standards team, providing valuable insights about updates to UK residential valuation standards. This week Nigel Sellars, RICS Senior Specialist in Property, is joined by Louise Avery MRICS, Managing Director at Avery & Co, Fiona Haggett FRICS, Head of Valuation at Barclays UK and Rob Mead FRICS, Technical Director at Connells Surveyors.Their discussion provides an understanding of the motivation behind revisions to the Red Book’s residential section. They cover a variety of perspectives from valuers, lenders and technical experts on key topics such as property inspections and marketing period valuations, and also provide a preview of the follow-up standard, currently being drafted. This episode discusses:An overview of the updated RICS national supplement.The importance of consistency, collaboration and quality.Guiding principles and practical applications of the new standards.An insight into new changes currently being drafted.

The growth of ESG as a consideration throughout the sector has been remarkable in recent years, but with such a focus on environmental issues, there’s a risk of social and governance issues being neglected.Catriona Brady is the Director of Strategy and Development at World Green Building Council, and with recent reports from both RICS and the World Green Building Council emphasising a drive for greater change in the sector, she joins Kisa Zehra to discuss the practical steps to help the industry more fully embrace ESG in its entirety.This episode of The RICS Podcast covers:What lies at the heart of ESGKey findings from December’s Social Impact ReportThe emerging innovations that look to help the sector tackle social issuesHow different stakeholders play a pivotal role in driving positive changeRoyal Institution of Chartered Surveyors: https://www.rics.org/uk/Catriona Brady: https://www.linkedin.com/in/catriona-brady-93002a53/

With several routes into the surveying profession your experience as a candidate is a unique one, and learning from the experiences of others is a wonderful way to set expectations and prepare effectively for a successful submission.Joining RICS Candidate Engagement Manager (UK&I) Gill Quinn in this week’s podcast are Abraham Laker, Brittany Marsland & Richard Crow FRICS, all from Rapleys and bringing their own experiences of the qualification process. We hear the key differences between APC and Senior Professional routes, how best to prepare for final submission and interviews, what to do in the event of a referral, and much more. This episode of The RICS Podcast covers:How the APC route differs from the Senior Professional routePlanning advice for a successful submissionHow to calm nerves before a final interviewPlaces to build your network through the processAdvice for those starting their journey

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 transition

The built environment industry will be more effective to all if diverse voices are included, which intensifies the very present need for greater equity and inclusion. But, what does this look like in practice? How can organisations contribute to cultivating a more inclusive industry?Nathan Spencer is Director at UKREiiF, and he joins RICS’ Sybil Taunton to discuss strategies for leading the industry towards a more inclusive environment, and the long-standing importance of social value as awareness grows around matters of diversity, equity and inclusion. This episode of The RICS Podcast covers:How greater representation improves the built environment industryExamples of organisations and leaders making great, positive impactHow to diversify voices being put forward for opportunity Putting an organisation’s moral compass over profitsUK REiiFhttps://www.ukreiif.com/

Zoos and safari parks are tasked with not only running a profitable attraction, but investing that profit into suitable premises for wildlife conservation, presenting a unique challenge from a building surveyor’s perspective. How do these leisure assets balance profitability alongside ESG? In this podcast, Ginny Banham MRICS (Fisher German LLP) is joined by Richard Baldwin MRICS (Avison Young) and Richard Morris MRICS (Property Surv) to share their views on a unique arm of the surveying profession, drawing on their experiences and learnings. This episode of The RICS Podcast covers:The broad nature of certain guidance on zoo practiceThe surveyor’s perspective on asset value that supports a wider missionHow safari parks and zoos have diversified over timeUnusual assets the guests have encountered during their surveying careers

Costain Group’s Alex Vaughan joins us on this episode of The RICS Podcast brought to you by the WBEF team to discuss current trends in the infrastructure market domestically and internationally, and what’s required to improve overall efficiency in the area.This episode of The RICS Podcast covers:Challenges with the investment needed to support the UK’s infrastructure needsThe complexities surrounding the delivery of transport infrastructureThe potential role for an infrastructure minister in coordinating projects nationallyHow we can maximise infrastructure productivity in the UK

The RICS Knowledge and Practice Committee (KPC) maintains and develops essential knowledge and professional practice. Its formation presents a notable step towards advancing industry and public knowledge on key issues.In this podcast, RICS’ Director of Knowledge & Practice Luay Al-Khatib speaks with Chair of the Knowledge and Practice Committee, Simon Rawlinson, about how the group functions, its role within RICS and the role of knowledge and practice in supporting wider society.This episode of The RICS Podcast covers:The Knowledge and Practice Committee’s key areas of focusThe surveying profession’s value to societyHow the RICS maintains its relevance in a rapidly evolving industry