RICS is a new partner of GMD.

1. RICS history.

QU: Why the community of surveyors, which stayed close for many decades, decided to expand internationally?

When the RICS was first established in 1868 the surveying profession looked very different to that of today, and the world in which the RICS and its members operated was far more local in reach. Whilst the core values of professionalism and public interest continue to lie at the heart of the RICS, the profession itself has changed enormously over the past 143, perhaps most notably as a result of globalisation. Today the global economy is a fact. Surveyors, like modern businesses, operate across multiple world markets and knowledge is shared international in order to meet the challenges of the 21st Century. The RICS provides all members, regardless of their location, with the tools and support them in their work and the opportunity to be recognised in their field as a leading professional.



QU: What was the motivation for that? When and how were the first steps taken?

In 1998 the RICS commissioned “Agenda for Change” a major piece of research which looked at the role of the Institution in the modern age. A key recommendation of the report was that the RICS should become “global” in order keep pace with the e-business revolution, the globalisation of commerce, and the many economic and demographic challenges that were taking place around the world. Put simply, the RICS needed to evolve to meet the needs of its international member base. Since the end of the 1990s, governments, businesses, academics and the public at large have entrusted the RICS and its members to offer the highest professional standards in land, property and construction.



QU: RICS management board (presidential team), reasons for internationalization

Today, the RICS has over 163,000 members working in 146 countries worldwide (including India, China, Brazil, Germany, United States, and Russia) and is establishing itself as the leading global professional body for land, property and construction. In the next five years membership is projected to surpass 200,000 worldwide. In tandem with its expansion on the international stage, the governance structure of the Institution has evolved to ensure that the organisation’s strategy and direction is driven by senior professionals located throughout the world. Seven World Regional Boards have now been established and in July of this year the RICS elected its first non-British President, Mr Ong See Lian, a quantity surveyor from Malaysia.



2. RICS know-how.



QU: Having developed first standards (reference base) for valuation (RED Book) RICS is producing other professional standards (brokerage, construction, etc.). Reasons for going into other professional sectors?

RICS is probably best known around the world for its leading position in the valuation standards arena, however, the chartered surveying profession (which currently comprises around 100,000 qualified individuals) extends to a much wider range of professional services in property, land and construction. 

Our mission is to develop and deliver the leading professional standards across these disciplines. In addition to Valuation, our principal professional qualifications are in construction cost engineering (quantity surveying) , project management, property agency and property asset management. 

All of our members are regulated to our core professional standards and we are now extending our portfolio of technical guidance for these key specialist areas to reflect the changing demands of the modern marketplace and regulatory landscape. 

Apart from valuation, our focus at this time is on developing practice guidance for property agency and brokerage, construction cost measurement, carbon measurement and facilities management. These are all areas of particular strategic importance in the real estate and construction world. 



QU: who are members of the expert team, which develops them?

We develop all of our qualifications and practice standards in consultation with the leading suppliers and consumers of these services and with industry and government. Senior RICS staff and independent panels of experts are responsible for ensuring that the standards are impartial and calibrated with RICS standards in other areas.



QU: The concept and principles that make RICS products stand out from the rest (RICS quality brand).

All RICS work is based on our 150 years of experience in setting professional standards for the industry. We are the worlds leading and most trusted brand in property, land and construction because we have an exemplary track record in turning out the best professionals in the marketplace.



QU: Standards in use: how are they adapted to market reality (Updates and amendments). RICS know-how introduction into different markets, how to get acceptance from the local professional community?

It is absolutely essential that both the market and government are ready and willing to adopt new standards as they emerge. We develop our products with the key players in the marketplace and in consultation with government so that when they are issued they are accepted into practice.  



QU: RICS standards are offered in Russia. GMD will facilitate the introduction by adaption to the local conditions and demands. To what extent it can be adapted?

Much of our professional guidance relates to international principles which are consistent from market to market, however there are cases where local interpretation is necessary. We are eager to work with key Russian partner organizations to adapt our standards for usage in the Russian market.



QU: Advantages of being MRICS or FRICS.

Qualifying as an RICS member (MRICS and FRICS), gives you access to the world’s most sought after qualification in land property and construction. Anyone doing business with overseas clients will find that they are better placed to secure international business by having these credentials after their name. It is also a useful passport to support professional development in other countries. Many Chartered Surveyors each year pursue their careers overseas.

Many members of our have become RICS qualified in addition to their local / national qualification in order to gain a more international outlook. In a growing number of markets however RICS is recognized in its own right by regulatory authorities and clients. 

In addition to this, RICS membership also provides access to a wealth of professional contacts. It is a great professional network which allows you to develop your business interests and professional standing with the leading players in your market and in other countries and sectors





3. Martin Bruehl



QU: What are your professional interests and priorities?

My professional roots lie in property valuation. On the basis of a UK property degree at City University London, I qualified as a Chartered Surveyor in the early 1990s and subsequently carried out valuations both in Germany and various other major European markets, as well as in the US and Asia whilst sitting on a number of valuation panels for German open-ended funds. As managing partner of a global real estate consultancy, however, I have broadened my area of expertise to embrace other business lines, especially property management, leasing and investment sales. I would therefore now call myself a generalist with a particular affinity to valuation.



QU: What is the most exciting/rewarding thing about your role(s)?

I regard my role as Vice President of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors as an honour. To me, my role as RICS ambassador will always be intrinsically coloured by the awareness that as a German national in his early forties I am particularly privileged to be entrusted with this role, which I approach with historical awareness, humility and respect, especially when travelling to Russia. In the hope of successfully rising to this challenge, I find meeting and interacting with people in a global context both exciting and rewarding.



QU: Where do you get the energy to undertake two demanding roles at the same time (C&W and RICS)?

It is ultimately a question of how you are organised: I have organisational structures and a long-standing experienced management team in place at Cushman & Wakefield that allows me to travel and spend time on my RICS duties. And as far as my RICS role is concerned, I am pleased to say that the staff at RICS headquarters offer great support to the Leadership team – the RICS today is a really powerful global organisation and wherever I go, whoever I interact with, I meet dedicated professionals. That helps me a lot! 

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