HONG KONG: The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) has announced the appointment of Michael Newey as the 132nd president of the organisation, along with other officers for the 2013-2014 term, including Chris Fossick, country head and managing director for Southeast Asia at Jones Lang LaSalle (Singapore).
Earlier this year, RICS – in coalition with other professional bodies – formed the International Property Measurement Standards Coalition (IPMSC) aimed at creating a common international property measurement standard. The initial meeting of partners was hosted by the World Bank in Washington DC in May.
Newey, group CEO of Broadland Housing Group (UK), said the mission of RICS was to “advance and enforce standards” and “to promote the usefulness of the profession for the public good”.
He highlighted the importance of continuity within the profession, combined with the need to adapt to current and future challenges in a rapidly changing world.
Newey also identified the inherent responsibility of RICS to fulfil its public interest responsibilities by engaging policy makers. Appropriate advice from RICS can and does help governments adopt and implement strategies to the benefit of society, he added.
As well as being a chartered surveyor, Newey is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Housing and a member of the Australasian Housing Institute. He is also a visiting Fellow at The Royal Agricultural University in Cirencester.
“As RICS becomes an increasingly international body, we must use our growth to strengthen our core, enhance our status and ensure constancy across our world, without exception and without favour,” Newey said.
The other elected RICS officers for 2013-2014 are: Brooke Smith Planning (UK) director Louise Brooke-Smith as president-elect, Martin Brühl – managing partner of Cushman & Wakefield (Germany) – as senior vice-president, along with three vice-presidents: Amanda Clack, partner at PWC Consulting for property, real estate and construction (UK); Robert Mayhew, executive director within Colliers International’s business in Russia; and Fossick, of Jones Lang LaSalle (Singapore).
Independent GIS consultant Rob Mahoney was elected honorary secretary, consultant Chartered Surveyor (UK) Bill Gater is honorary treasurer.
