diverse group of business professionals talking

Diversity, equity and inclusion

Our position

There is a moral and an economic imperative to embrace and embed equity and inclusion in the workplace, and in society. Built and natural environment professionals play a key role in delivering environmental and social impact.

RICS aims to be an accountable and influential leader, regulator and employer that understands and adapts to global cultures and celebrates the wealth of experience that diversity brings.

Through a data and insight-driven approach – with a deliberate focus on policy and practice, learning and development, and partnerships and engagement – RICS can shape an inclusive workplace and profession where everyone can thrive and achieve their full potential.

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“RICS aims to be a world-class organisation and achieving this requires a deliberate strategy to ensure we build and maintain diverse representation, equitable policies, and inclusive practices and behaviours that enable our employees and our members to achieve their professional aspirations. We will work collaboratively to achieve measurable progress in representation, as well as workplace and membership experience for those already employed and chartered with RICS, and inspire more diverse future generations of talent into the industry.”

Justin Young

RICS CEO

Our strategy

Our DEI strategy outlines the actions we will take through 2024 and 2025 to continue laying the necessary foundation for a long-term, measurable action plan to improve diversity, equity and inclusion within the organisation and throughout the membership.

Download our DEI Strategy 2024

“When we achieve diversity, inclusion and equity across the property, development and construction sectors, the positive impact will be clear to see, be this in our respective workforces, our productivity or our balance sheets. Our clients see the difference and it’s a win-win for all concerned. Leading by example and being an advocate for a change in attitudes and culture is critical, and so it is with huge pride that I endorse the RICS DEI strategy. This builds on our institution’s DEI work over the past few years, reflects our collaborative approach and presents a framework for positive action for all our stakeholders. By setting our strategy out, our work can be monitored and measured, and quite rightly, we can be held to account.”

Louise Brooke-Smith OBE FRICS

RICS Board Member and DEI Chair

Latest DEI news

Update from Justin Young, RICS CEO - November 2024

This month we’ve convened with members, government, press and financial institutions, showcasing the expertise of RICS members, and harnessing our collective knowledge to shape the future of the built and natural environment.

Exploring mental health, the built environment and workplace culture with Derek Wilson MRICS

To mark Mental Health Awareness Month in May we caught up with Derek Wilson, CEO of Synergetic and AbilityRE Executive Committee member.

RICS Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Progress Report 2023

This report highlighted work with other built environment organisations to improve data collection, education to industry pipelines and professional understanding of the topic.

UK Black History Month: Sunny-Thomas Obasuyi MRICS discusses racial equity in surveying

Sunny discusses the importance of racial equity in our industry, and how RICS can influence the profession to become more inclusive.

RICS launches its first Women in Surveying insight report

For the first time in the Institution’s history, RICS have produced a ‘Women in surveying: insight report’ that looks at the makeup of membership from a binary gender perspective and analyses the results of the flagship 2022 survey of women in the profession.

RICS welcomes Louise Brooke-Smith, RICS Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Chair

I am delighted to take the opportunity to introduce myself as the Chair of the RICS Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) workstream, sitting on the newly formed RICS Board.

Driving positive change and fostering inclusion: An interview with Richard Golding

Meet Richard Golding, the newly appointed Matrics UK Chair at RICS.

Member Spotlight: Mohammed Azeem MRICS

For this special edition Member Spotlight, RICS spoke with Mohammed Azeem MRICS, a Commercial Manager with High Speed Two Ltd, and a RICS APC counsellor and mentor.

Are there any female surveyors out there?

The answer is yes, there are talented women in the surveying industry but in our practical experience as a client you must search hard to find them.

A wooden block sound absorbing panel photographed in closeup

Q&A with Uche Obi FRICS

Uche Obi FRICS talks about how he overcame challenges to reach the pinnacle of his career so far.

Q&A with Lorraine Williamson MRICS, Associate at Rider Levett Bucknall

We hear from Lorraine Williams MRICS on the importance of diversity in business and strategies to recruit from a diverse talent pool.

RICS members working to inspire the next generation of black professionals

RICS has partnered with built environment professionals to offer information sessions for students from two prominent Historically Black Colleges...

Recruitment

Engage and attract new people to the industry from under-represented groups; best practice recruitment methods.

Addressing racial and religious inequity in the built environment

We are proud to highlight the insightful work of APC Candidate Yusuf Javaid on addressing racial and religious inequity in the built environment.

Workplace diversity: Addressing unconscious bias

Mandy St John Davey, the UK national chairman of Women in Property on why addressing unconscious bias is the first step to building a better workforce

A group of young professionals relaxing and chatting in an office

Employ an apprentice in the UK

Surveying apprenticeships

Culture

An inclusive culture where all staff engage with developing, delivering, monitoring and assessing diversity and inclusivity.

More female role models can and should become FRICS

Sharon Slinger FRICS explains how women should have their career achievements recognised with fellowship.

LGBT+ professionals tell us their story

Four inspirational LGBT+ surveyors tell us their stories, their struggles, their achievement, and how the profession has changed

Development

Focused development of individuals from a diverse background in order to encourage more diversity and inclusion within the surveying industry.

RICS Diversity and Inclusion Conference 2017

Hundreds of delegates turned out for the RICS Diversity and Inclusion Conference 2017. Watch highlights of sessions focused on the opportunities and challenges our industry is currently facing.