RICS celebrate 150 years with a focus on the future at NTU

The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) is the world's leading professional body for qualifications and standards in land, property, infrastructure and construction. RICS defines the profession as ‘surveyors design, build, value and manage everything around us’

RICS have been working with NTU for over 60 years to accredit courses in the areas of building surveying, property, construction and real estate; within the School of Architecture, Design and the Built Environment there are now 14 RICS accredited courses at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels.

In 2018, RICS commemorate their 150^th anniversary. As part of their celebrations, the current RICS President, John Hughes, is embarking on a tour of all the UK regions. They are also celebrating the past 150 years with their landmark exhibition spanning the past, present and future of surveying at RICS’ headquarters in Parliament Square, London, titled ‘Shaping the World, Building the Future.’

With a focus on innovation and opportunity, the President visited Nottingham this September. The event took place in NTU’s conference centre, attended by 75 industry professionals, academics and subject specialists, together with a number of incoming postgraduate students.

L to R: James Baker, Dr Fiona Grant and John Hughes of RICS with NTU Dean, Dr Andrew Knight

The event began with a welcome from Dr Andrew Knight, Dean of the School of Architecture, Design and the Built Environment, who emphasised the importance and relevance of surveying as part of the future visioning of the modern environment. He outlined the value of the on-going research undertaken in the subject at NTU, and the opportunities for students to be involved in the development of new technologies.

An inspiring talk from Dr Fiona Grant, RICS UK & Ireland World Regional Board Chairperson, examined the state of the global profession today. She outlined their commitment to developing ‘possibility and opportunity for anybody who wants to be involved in the profession’, and the work being done to address key issues around diversity, student uptake, schools involvement, and the encouragement of more females into the profession.

James Baker, RICs Regional Board Chair, East Midlands presented a moving video outlining the RICS Pledge150 campaign – which aims to raise funds for the creation of 150 beds for young UK homeless people in conjunction with LandAid.

RICS president John Hughes

A keynote speech by John Hughes, the global RICS President, stressed the need for everyone in the profession, and those considering it as a career, to prepare for and embrace change in the modern world.

Acknowledging that ‘RICS play an amazingly important role in the shaping of the built environment’, he outlined the significance of their global presence in 140 countries, and invited discussion around issues such as sustainability, artificial intelligence, climate change, new technologies and different ways of working. RICS are keen to hear from professionals, students and stakeholders on their thoughts about what the future holds and invite people to contribute to the consultation: Future of the Profession

Rounding up the session, John then auctioned a commemorative RICS t-shirt to help raise funds for the Pledge150 campaign. It was won by chartered surveyor Nick Ebbs, the vice chairman of Nottingham building regeneration company igloo Regeneration Ltd, chief executive of Blueprint, and the official 2018 High Sheriff of Nottinghamshire (a position appointed by the Queen through a Royal Warrant).

John Hughes of RICS with Nick Ebbs, High Sherriff of Nottinghamshire

Thanking all those who attended, and acknowledging the significance of NTU’s commitment to developing the surveyors of the future, John also admitted that, after years of being a Robin Hood fan, he was honoured to at last meet the legendary Sheriff of Nottinghamshire, and very pleased that, contrary to folklore, the modern day Sherriff wholeheartedly supports the homeless and disadvantaged.

Find out more about a RICS accredited course and the opportunities available in Construction Management and Quantity Surveying, and Real Estate and Property Management.

Read other news from the School of Architecture, Design and the Built Environment.