Asia Pacific WRB Chair Newsletter - April

A snapshot of local news and developments

The next edition of RICS twice-yearly survey of the profession will be open from April 25 – May 30. I invite all RICS professionals and candidates in Asia Pacific to share their views to help shape the future of RICS with the survey taking approximately ten minutes to complete. You will receive an email invitation from surveys@savanta-mail.com between the 25-28 April depending on where you are across the globe with an invitation from the President, Clement Lau, and a unique link to participate in the survey.

The Governing Council Elections strategy seats vote also begins. Who will sit on RICS' highest governing body and help shape the future of the institution? Take part in this election as your vote will make the difference. Voting instructions will be sent to every eligible member by the independent provider Civica on behalf of RICS (please check your spam folder just in case). Check the official election website for statements from all candidates.

• VOTE HERE

Client relationships and handling data is published

Following the launch of the updated RICS Rules of Conduct we have produced member-led advice supporting smaller firms, or those looking to set up a new practice, about sustaining successful relationships with clients. This advice covers five key areas: Client relationships and communication, Complaint Handling/ADR, Data Handling, Cybersecurity, Quality Assurance. Find out more information here.

Women in the Profession Survey

RICS is conducting a membership-wide survey to gain much-needed insight into the experiences of women and identify key action areas that better support the professional journey of women in surveying and ensure we are targeting effective initiatives. Some questions in this survey are gender specific but we do welcome responses from the entire membership community. Complete the survey here.

Highlights in Asia Pacific

• The RICS Awards showcase the most inspirational initiatives and developments in the industry. The Awards 2022 in South East Asia, Australia, New Zealand, and Hong Kong are coming. See more details here.
• In Feb and March, more than 600 members and enrolled candidates in Asia Pacific region registered to attend four free online webinars and two face-to-face stay-informed sessions. Keep an eye on more free engagement events through Member CPD Support Pack.
• During the first quarter of the year, we welcomed 142 newly qualified members into Asia Pacific along with 260 new trainees. Find out who have joined RICS member community.

Meet RICS Members in the Region

Dave Hallam MRICS

Executive Director and Head of Design & Engineering

Arcadis Hong Kong

Dave oversees the development of Design Consultancy & Engineering solutions throughout the lifecycle of the natural and built assets. He has over 20 years industrial experience, notable organizations Dave has worked with include the Government of HKSAR, consulting on their works programmes and operational strategy, as well as various Retail, Commercial Developer and Corporate Real Estate clients. Dave has been a Professional member of the RICS since 1998, and currently chairs the Hong Kong Advisory Board. See full details about the new composition of Hong Kong Advisory Board here.

Johnson Yip FRICS

CEO

Cushman & Wakefield and Vanke Service

With over 20 years’ experience in the Asset Services industry, Johnson joined Cushman & Wakefield in 2001 and has widespread experience in property and hospitality management. Johnson was assigned as the CEO of the Vanke Service and Cushman & Wakefield after the announcement of this joint venture in 2019, which operates in 140 cities across Greater China and provides full spectrum services to commercial developments. Johnson became the Fellow Member of RICS in 2017

Áine Flannery MRICS

Group Manager – Commercial & Risk

Decmil

Áine oversees the Commercial & Risk profile of the business within Project Delivery. Herself and her team provide corporate support to projects including risk, claim, change and procurement management. Áine has over 17 years’ experience in the Resource and Construction sector. She has been a professional member of the RICS since 2019 where she believes the respect the organization has globally within the industry means being a professional member assists in being recognized universally as competent in this practice. Áine is based in Australia.

How Weng Kong FRICS

Deputy Director

Surbana Jurong

How Weng Kong is a Deputy Director of Surbana Jurong with 25 years of regional project management and quantity surveying experience in diverse sectors and industries including aerospace, healthcare campus, industrial park, and power infrastructure. He has contributed to the built environment industry in a wide array of cross- functional roles in various major Singapore and overseas construction projects of varying scale and complexity. He has been a Professional Member of RICS since 2015 and later qualified as Fellow Member. Weng Kong is based in Singapore.