RICS in Wales

Meet the Board

Ian Steele (Chair) FRICS

Associate, ChandlerKBS

Ian has chaired the Welsh board for 4 years as of February 2023 and became a Fellow in 2022. Outside of RICS Ian is an Associate at ChandlerKBS, based in South Wales and specialises in Project Management. He currently manages a programme which includes aviation, water and major procurement projects. “I really enjoy chairing the board and working with other passionate members to promote the profession in Wales. 2023 promises to be exciting year for RICS in Wales and I’m looking forward to playing my part.” In his free time Ian coaches his son’s football team. He enjoys running, cycling and hiking.

Carwyn Rees BSc Hons MRICS

Senior Surveyor, Owen and Owen

A dairy farmers’ son from Carmarthenshire who studied at Harper Adams University College and qualified as a Chartered Surveyor in 2014, joining the practice of Owen and Owen in 2018. Carwyn’s areas of expertise include agricultural tenancy negotiations, agricultural sale and lettings, estate management, rural planning and negotiations with utility companies and the renewable energy sector on behalf of landowners and farmers. He leads the office in the management of caravan park and leisure businesses, not only in the office, but also with the family business at home. Carwyn Joined the Wales Board in the autumn of 2021 and is heavily involved with the West Wales membership branch.

Emma Woods BSc Hons PG Dip Surv FRICS

Director, Currie & Brown

Emma is a chartered quantity surveyor, with over 15 years’ experience across the UK, Australia and the Middle East. ‘Being a member of the Board allows me to play an integral part in contributing to RICS initiatives and providing advice to the internal RICS community. Attracting and motivating future generations into the industry is an important part of my role and collaborating with various members from different specialities within the property industry, keeps the Board diverse and interesting.’

Helen Zammit-Wilson (MRICS)

Director, National Valuation Unit in the Valuation Office Agency (VOA)

Helen has worked at the VOA for over 30 years and is a highly respected expert in the area of non-domestic rating having undertaken a variety of senior leadership roles. Helen achieved the highly coveted Rating Diploma qualification in 2001 and has held the role of Chair of the RICS Rating Diploma Holders’ Section in 2021 and was previously the Honorary Secretary of the Section. She is involved in the organisation and delivery of training in respect of the Rating Diploma study course – specialising in the valuation of properties utilising the contractor’s basis of valuation. She was a leading contributor to the 2nd edition of RICS valuation guidance on the Contractor's Basis of valuation for rating purposes, published in 2017.

Martyn Osborne MRICS

Owner, Borne Consult Ltd

I have been a member of the RICS since the early 90’s and in 2018 joined the Board here in Wales. For most of my career I have worked on the contracting side of the industry with both major Plc’s and smaller Ltd businesses. I’ve been fortunate to work with some exceptionally talented people across all sectors and have always been keen to help develop young talent, supporting people wherever I can. This was one of the reasons why I accepted a Board role with the RICS. It has always been a great strength of our profession to be actively supporting and encouraging members to be more visible across all disciplines and sectors. This in turn provides many opportunities. I believe it is our collective responsibility to ensure that young people making early career decisions are fully informed of the fantastic roles that exist across such a diverse and exiting industry as ours, particularly here in Wales. In recent years I've become involved with business' focusing on sustainable energy which is particularly important to the Welsh economy.

Matt Haynes BSc (Hons) MRICS

Senior Quantity Surveyor, Glyndwr Consulting Ltd

Matt is a chartered quantity surveyor and is currently employed as a Senior Quantity Surveyor at Glyndwr Consulting Limited, based in South Wales. Matt has experience within the Health, Blue Light, Education and Residential sectors. Matt is the Regional Chair for Matrics Wales and currently chairs the RICS South Wales Matrics local Committee. ‘As chair I am responsible for guiding the committee providing leadership and direction. I ensure that the committee is continually moving forward and achieving its objectives. The committee aims to organise interprofessional networking and social events giving Matrics members an opportunity to build their contacts. The committee also provides APC support and organises CPD events for APC candidates.’

Miranda Thomas MRICS

Senior Lecturer & Course Leader, University of South Wales

I am currently working as Senior Lecturer and Course Leader at the University of South Wales and work within the School of Engineering in the Civil Engineering and Built Environment team. I am a chartered project manager and lecture predominantly on RICS accredited Project and Contract Management modules, both at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. I am also course leader for the Building Surveying undergraduate degree which I helped launch in 2020 and is growing year on year in terms of numbers. I came into academia in 2019 following a career as consultant project manager for firms such as Arcadis and Gleeds where I worked both within public and private sectors on projects in corporate real estate, retail, education, and defence. I now thoroughly enjoy engaging with the future talent of our industry and mentoring students through their early professional and academic journey. I am counsellor to several APC candidates, some of which are students at USW and am a qualified APC assessor. Outside of work I enjoy spending time with the family. My husband and I have two children and shih tzu to keep us busy. As a keen runner I have also done several half marathons in the past.

Neal O'Leary BSc (Hons) MRICS

Programme Director, Welsh Government

Neal is a Chartered Building Surveyor and an RICS Wales Awards Judge with over 30 years’ experience in property investment, construction and estate management across private, public and third sector organisations. Currently employed as Programme Director for the Welsh Government’s £3.8bn Sustainable Communities for Learning Programme (formerly the 21st Century Schools and Colleges Programme) he has responsibility for the leadership and management of all infrastructure investment for education in Wales. Prior to returning to Education Infrastructure in 2019, Neal spent 11 years heading up Cadw’s Properties in Care, leading on conservation, strategic capital investment, FM and asset management. During this time he developed and implemented a strategy achieving a 43% reduction (2010-2019) in carbon emissions across 130 historic sites whilst visitor numbers and income generation reached record numbers. A member of Historic Scotland’s Estates Peer Review Board and a member of Ystadau Cymru Board. A former director (2010-2016) and Board Chair of Cambria Maintenance Services Ltd., leading the company through incorporation to one of industry recognised success, employing 130 staff delivering over £20m services. Neal sits on the Welsh Government’s ministerial-led Construction Forum and chairs the Buildings Sub-group leading the Decarbonisation and Procurement Sectoral Working Groups.

Nicola Hall MRICS

Senior Policy Manager, Welsh Government

Since qualifying as a Chartered Surveyor in 2005, Nicola has been employed by District Valuer Services (the specialist property arm of the Valuation Office Agency), providing independent, impartial valuation and professional advice across the entire public sector. Nicola has a wealth of knowledge and experience in the valuation of land and property across the North Wales region. Nicola has recently taken a new role at the Welsh Government applying her skill in the Local Government Finance Reform Division. Nicola has supported many graduate surveyors during her career and thoroughly enjoys naturing candidates through their APC journey to achieving full RICS membership. She is focused on raising awareness and promoting the surveying profession.

Oisin Fitzpatrick (FRICS)

Commercial Director

Oisin is a Commercial Director at an international consultancy primarily working in infrastructure. He has long been passionate about our profession and sees the RICS Wales board as a conduit for members to have their voices heard and priorities addressed. He looks forward to collaborating with the board on achieving the RICS ambitions and encouraging the future generation of surveyors in Wales.

Ryan Harris MRICS

Account Director / Global lead for Opex Efficiency, Arcadis

I am a Commercial Director and Quantity Surveyor by background with experience of working across the infrastructure, industrial and utilities sectors. I’m currently fulfilling a global role with the majority of my clients sitting outside of the UK. Still residing in Wales, my roots are firmly fixed here and I get huge pleasure in supporting our Wales board and our community. I’m hugely focused on supporting our members and also our future talent here in Wales.

Sam Acres MRICS

Regional Director, Faithful+Gould

I’m a Chartered Building Surveyor by background, having progressed through the ranks at Faithful+Gould where I started as a graduate, I’m now a Regional Director responsible for a brilliant team of Building Surveyors, Building Services engineers and Programme Managers for Faithful+Gould in Wales. Aside from business unit responsibilities I spend most of my time leading programmes for the NatWest Group across the UK&NI, these involve the management of teams of Programme Managers, Project Managers, Building Surveyors and H&S teams to help the bank deliver first class facilities for their customers and colleagues. I also have experience working with the public sector, most notably MoJ where I was consulted to their capital projects team leading a team to develop existing sites to increase prison capacity. I also have extensive experience working with defence contractors to help improve the service personnel accommodation estate through the provision of surveying and technical advisory services.

Sam Rees

Senior Public Affairs Officer, RICS

Sam is the RICS Senior Public Affairs Officer for Wales, working with Welsh Government and stakeholders to address the challenges facing the built environment. This includes focusing on decarbonising Wales, creating safer buildings, and supporting future talent in the profession. He is also responsible for managing the RICS UK policy on housing and sustainability, working to ensure the profession is at the forefront of tackling the challenges of climate change, including the need to create more than 30 million energy efficient and low-carbon homes.

Graham Craven

Member Engagement Lead, RICS

Graham joined RICS in July 2022 as Market Engagement Lead – Wales and his focus has been on engaging members across the whole of Wales and is currently active in helping to establish a local group in North Wales. Graham is looking forward to being involved in setting up a new office in Cardiff as well as helping to deliver the RICS Cardiff Conference in June 2023. Graham is a keen jogger and will be amongst the team of 10 RICS Members and Staff who will be running the Cardiff Half Marathon in October 2023 to raise money for LionHeart. Graham is the conduit between members and RICS, which often means advocating for members and maintaining clear and transparent lines of communication.

Connect with members

The myRICS Community has been designed to create fantastic networking opportunities and to be the main hub for all built environment professionals. Find links to standards and guidance, consultations and insight papers, as well as discussion forums to connect with other professionals working in your field.