The RICS Podcast

Changes to CPD: everything you need to know. With Olga Turner Baker MRICS and Charles Golding MRICS #233

As RICS introduces the refreshed continuing professional development (CPD) framework effective from January 2026, it’s important to know what this means for day‑to‑day professional practice. In this episode of The RICS Podcast, Charles Golding MRICS is joined by Olga Turner Baker MRICS to set the scene for those changes, and explore how the new RICS Member App can help keep professionals up to speed on their CPD throughout the year.This episode of the RICS podcast covers:What has and hasn’t changed in the RICS CPD framework for 2026The shift from not only counting hours, but also focusing on relevant, adequate and appropriate CPDThe introduction of mandatory topics on sustainability, AI/technology, and ethical and professional standardsHow to plan and record CPD more effectively, including practical strategies to avoid the year‑end rush and recognise more of the learning you already doUsing the new RICS Member App and online resources to plan, track and document CPD and learning outcomesInformation about the new CPD app and where to download it https://www.rics.org/surveyor-careers/career-development/continuing-professional-developmentOlga Turner Baker MRICShttps://www.linkedin.com/in/olga-turner-baker-mrics-well-ap-non-exec-director-128b5729/Charles Golding MRICShttps://www.linkedin.com/in/charles-golding-23512b175/Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors: https://www.rics.org/uk/ RICS Podcast Page https://www.rics.org/podcast/ Kieran Halliwell https://www.linkedin.com/in/kdhalliwell/

RICS Legal Landscapes: Passing Gateway 3 and maintaining the Golden Thread with Gary Strong FRICS, Graeme Manley MRICS and David Savage #232

This episode is part of RICS Legal Landscapes, a limited podcast series developed by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors which is CPD-compliant and designed to support professional development across the surveying profession and the broader built environment.Gateway 3 is the final, mandatory checkpoint under the Building Safety Act 2022 for higher risk buildings (HRBs) in the UKThis episode of the RICS Legal Landscapes series dives into what Gateway 3 really means in practice, as both a regulatory hurdle and as a decisive moment of legal accountability, commercial viability and building safety. Gary Strong FRICS is joined by building surveyor Graeme Manley MRICS and construction lawyer David Savage to unpack Gateway 3, why it’s often called the ‘point of no return’ for clients and duty holders, and what legal responsibilities arise if a building fails to secure a completion certificate. This episode of The RICS Podcast covers:The role of Gateway 3 as the final pre‑occupation checkpoint for Higher Risk Buildings (HRBs)How responsibility and accountability crystallise at Gateway 3 for clients, principal designers and principal contractorsThe legal and commercial consequences of failing Gateway 3, including a range of criminal sanctions The importance of the ‘golden thread’ of information, accurate as-built records, change control, and digital systemsPractical steps for surveyors, developers and building owners to plan for Gateway 3 from day one.Building Safety Act information centre:https://www.rics.org/news-insights/building-safety-act-information-centre Gary Strong FRICShttps://www.linkedin.com/in/gary-strong-bsc-hons-frics-fciarb-c-builde-fcabe-fcila-b52667b/Graeme Manley MRICShttps://www.linkedin.com/in/graememanley/David Savagehttps://www.linkedin.com/in/davidjsavage/Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors: https://www.rics.org/uk/ RICS Podcast Page https://www.rics.org/podcast/ Kieran Halliwell https://www.linkedin.com/in/kdhalliwell/

Ambition vs Reality: Funding, Planning and Capacity in UK Housing with Simon Rubinsohn & Tony Mulhall MRICS #231

Amid high housing costs and construction challenges, the UK Government's 1.5 million new homes target by July 2029 is an ambition impacted greatly by macroeconomics, planning reform, and a shifting market.In this episode of the RICS podcast, Tony Mulhall MRICS, senior specialist, land and resources at RICS is joined by Simon Rubinsohn, Chief Economist at RICS, to unpack the economics behind the Government’s ambitions. We’ll hear the origins of the ‘300,000 homes per year’ figure, why it’s more totemic than concrete, and how interest rates, gilt markets and political uncertainty are shaping mortgage costs and housebuilder confidence.This episode of The RICS Podcast covers:Origins and limitations of the 300,000 homes per year target How interest rates, gilt yields, and political uncertainty are influencing the pace of housebuildingThe balance between supply-side planning reforms and demand-side support The impact of rising construction costs, skills shortages, and the struggles of modern methods of construction on delivery capacityThe role of government intervention on land value capture and development viabilitySimon Rubinsohnhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/simon-rubinsohn-43124162/Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors: https://www.rics.org/uk/ RICS Podcast Page https://www.rics.org/podcast/ Kieran Halliwell https://www.linkedin.com/in/kdhalliwell/

Human in the loop: RICS’ groundbreaking AI standard with James Garner FRICS, Nella Pang MRICS, and Chris Alder #230

The new RICS professional standard ‘Responsible use of artificial intelligence in surveying practice’ represents a pivotal shift in how professionals understand and use artificial intelligence in the surveying industry.Ahead of the standard coming into effect on 9 March 2026, Chris Alder, Senior Executive Officer for Standards and Regulation at RICS, is joined by Nella Pang MRICS, Managing Director at Omega R‑E Ltd and member of the RICS Commercial Property Professional Group Panel, and James Garner FRICS, Head of AI and Data at Gleeds and part of the Construction Professional Group Panel. Together, they explore common misconceptions about AI, its potential to transform the sector, and the ethical issues that every surveyor should keep front of mind.This episode of The RICS Podcast covers:Definitions of the many variations and use cases of AI tools in the professionThe role of the ‘human in the loop’, maintaining responsibility for the work that’s undertaken with AI assistanceHow AI helps surveyors in more creative aspects of their rolesThe increased dangers of cybersecurity which come with the advent of new technologiesJames Garner FRICS: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesgarner1976/Nella Pang MRICS: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nella-pang-mrics-0m3gar3/Chris Alder: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopher-alder-b528822a/James Garner’s AI newsletter - Project Flux: https://www.projectflux.ai/RICS Professional Standard - ‘Artificial Intelligence in the natural and built environment sector’: https://www.rics.org/profession-standards/rics-standards-and-guidance/conduct-competence/responsible-use-of-aiRoyal Institution of Chartered Surveyors: https://www.rics.org/uk/ RICS Podcast Page https://www.rics.org/podcast/ Kieran Halliwell https://www.linkedin.com/in/kdhalliwell/

Meet the guardians of our most beloved buildings. With Karen Gwilliams FRICS, Sam Wheeler MRICS, Joanne Williams MRICS & Jon Rowling #229

In this episode of the RICS Podcast, Jon Rowling is joined by conservation experts Karen Gwilliams FRICS, Joanne Williams MRICS, and Sam Wheeler MRICS to explore what it takes to safeguard the UK’s historic buildings. We find out about the rewarding projects in heritage surveying, the growing skills gap in traditional crafts and conservation surveying, and how technology & AI are changing the future of the sector.This episode of the RICS Podcast covers:The rewarding nature of working on historic buildingsThe growing skills gap in traditional crafts and conservation surveyingPractical pathways into a career in historic building conservationHow climate change, flooding, and extreme weather are affecting historic buildingsThe evolving role of technology and AI in assessing, monitoring, and managing heritage assetsJon Rowlinghttps://www.linkedin.com/in/jon-rowling-41a09329/Joanne Williamshttps://www.linkedin.com/in/joanne-williams-364468b1/Karen Gwilliams FRICShttps://www.linkedin.com/in/karen-gwilliams-8834a220/Sam Wheeler MRICShttps://www.pha-building-conservation.co.uk/profile.htmRoyal Institution of Chartered Surveyors: https://www.rics.org/uk/ RICS Podcast Page https://www.rics.org/podcast/ Kieran Halliwell https://www.linkedin.com/in/kdhalliwell/