A new top position has been created at the RICS, with the twin objectives of driving its brand on the UK market, and recruiting more – and younger – members.
The appointment of Mark Walley as the first UK executive director of the RICS is set to create a pivotal figure in the residential property market.
He starts at the end of February and will report to the RICS new CEO, Sean Tompkins, who took up his role last September. Tompkins was previously chief operating officer, and has always made it clear that he wants to lead a radical programme of change.
Walley’s new role will be pivotal in a transformation from ageing, fuddy-duddy institution to an organisation that recently achieved top 500 ‘superbrand’ status.
His job will be to advance and enforce standards in land, property and the built environment, to promote the profession for the public good in the UK and, crucially, to grow membership.
The RICS currently has over 73,000 qualified members and 43,000 individuals working towards professional recognition. But there has long been concern over the profile of a typical RICS property surveyor as an older man.
Walley joins from the ifs School of Finance, which was formerly the Institute of Bankers, and has previously worked for Barclays Bank.
He said: “A major part of my role will be to revitalise the strategy and business plan for the UK market. I shall be looking to implement a highly customer-focused approach with the aim of continuing to build RICS and the profession’s standing, as well as ensuring that a future pipeline of qualified talent is attracted to the profession within the UK.”
Comments
Can I be the first to state that Mark is evidently not the first Walley to be employed by the RICS...?