Update from Ann Gray FRICS, RICS President – April 2023

This month I have the pleasure of authoring the foreword to the All Profession global email to announce some exciting developments.

Members will be aware that, as part of our transformation programme, we set out to recruit Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) and Sustainability panel Chairs to lead these priority issues as part of our new governance structure.

We’re pleased to announce the appointment of Dr Louise Brooke-Smith OBE FRICS as RICS Board member and DEI Chair and Frank Hovorka MRICS as RICS Board member and Sustainability Chair.

I am really looking forward to working with them both. It was encouraging that so many talented and experienced professionals put themselves forward for consideration to serve RICS in these key roles. The selection panel had a tough job on their hands.

Louise, who made history as RICS’ first female president, was selected based on her impressive career working with global organisations and political leaders to bring core DEI issues to the fore. With specialisms in decarbonisation and smart buildings, Frank brings widespread experience across Europe delivering successful sustainability solutions spanning multiple surveying sectors.

To give the Chairs full access to the scope of RICS business planning and resources, Governing Council took a decision for these Chairs to become part of the newly formed RICS Board, chaired by Martin Samworth. Instead of fixed panels, Chairs will have the autonomy, resources and means to conduct their own working groups and networks, harnessing the limitless expertise of our membership.

RICS will benefit from having the Chairs on the RICS Board to help set our agenda for these crucial areas for the profession in both responsive and proactive ways. Louise and Frank will be reaching out to the profession in the coming weeks and more information on their vision and approaches will be available on rics.org along with information on RICS’ reformed governance model.

Looking ahead, I would also like to appeal to all members to vote in the Governing Council elections which are open until 1200hrs (BST) on 24 April 2023. Invitations to vote have been issued so please check your inbox or find out more about the elections here. Make your vote count.

Finally, I would like to say Ramadan Mubarak to those observing this holy month and a peaceful Easter holiday period to members taking time away from work at this time.