RICS Americas
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
RICS Americas, one of five world regions of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), oversees members and activities in North, South and Central America and the Caribbean from its office in New York (other RICS offices include Beijing, Brussels, Dubai, Frankfurt, Hong Kong, London, Mumbai, Shanghai and Sydney).
In the Americas – a region built by surveyors, including George Washington and Thomas Jefferson – the RICS membership has grown rapidly, to fifteen regional Chapters. Operating from the historic Lincoln Building, RICS Americas oversees thousands of members working in land, property and the built environment. Its largest chapters operate in New York, Toronto, Vancouver, Los Angeles, Washington, Chicago, Kingston and Port of Spain, attracting leaders of many important firms, academic institutions, government agencies and consultancies. Qualified RICS members – who span the real estate and construction professions, including development, research, construction management, investment and consultancy – hold the MRICS (Member) or FRICS (Fellow) designation. Much like the MAI or CFA or CPA designations, the RICS qualifications demonstrate the highest standards of education, professional training and ethical conduct. RICS members must demonstrate competence to qualify, and must continue to demonstrate Life Long Learning to remain members.
RICS sponsors independent, non-partisan research and conferences across a broad array of topics, often in partnerships with firms, universities, associations and government agencies. Prominent partners include the Counselors of Real Estate, The Association for Advancement of Cost Engineering International, and the Appraisal Institute.
RICS's strict public interest mandate distinguishes RICS from trade groups and lobbyists, often the most visible associations of members. As a neutral entity, bound to serve the public good, RICS is an attractive platform for senior professionals, and an important information source, bringing broad global perspective to governments and media.
RICS Americas’ new advisory board will influence RICS Americas’ strategy and policies to expand the organization. Members of the board include Tony Grant, president of Sutton Park Estates; Tom Justin, principal and executive vice president of The Weitzman Group; Brian Corcoran, executive managing director and global head of valuation services of Cushman & Wakefield; Maureen Ehrenberg, executive vice president and president of Grubb & Ellis Management Services; Simon Watson, director of Deloitte Consultancy ICS Advisers; and Simon Taylor, vice president of Faithful+Gould.
