Lord Michael Bichard has published his independent Bichard RICS Review which was commissioned by the RICS Governing Council to review the Institution’s purpose, governance and strategy.
The RICS Governing Council has strongly endorsed the report and recommendations which aim to hand decision-making to members and ensure the Institution’s activities are centred on the public advantage. Work will now begin on the practical implementation of the recommendations, with five new working groups being established to take them forward. A summary of recommendations can be found on page 64 of the report.
My aim has been to help create a new sense of purpose and direction so that RICS can once more stand tall as an exemplar professional institution, capable of tackling the challenges which will shape the way we all live our lives in the years to come.
Lord Michael Bichard
The Bichard RICS Review represents a watershed moment for the Institution, and a key point in time which sets out a path for permanent improvement. Implementation of the recommendations will provide a solid accountable structure to effectively support our professionals and work in the public interest.
Nick Maclean
Interim Chair of Governing Council
The Bichard RICS Review was commissioned by the Governing Council in December 2021, following a recommendation in the Levitt Review that a “wide-ranging examination of purpose, governance and strategy” should be conducted by an external reviewer, replacing ‘Defining our Future’, the internally led strategic review launched by the previous leadership in March 2021.
Lord Bichard, a former Whitehall Permanent Secretary with a long and varied career in public service, was appointed to lead the Review after an open recruitment process.
Lord Bichard issued a call for evidence, receiving 564 submissions, and held a series of meetings and roundtable discussions with hundreds of members, employees, non-executives and stakeholders from the UK and internationally. He also drew on responses to previous reviews, including Defining our Future.
The Review aimed to clarify the purpose of RICS, make proposals on its governing structure, and make proposals for the incoming leadership and governing body on the future culture and strategy of the Institution. A full copy of the terms of reference can be found here.
RICS Governing Council strongly endorses the report and recommendations, which were informed by a global stakeholder consultation process, and will now commence work on the practical implementation. Five working groups will be established to progress the recommendations.
Lord Bichard makes 36 recommendations and suggests a phased timetable for implementation.
The report’s recommendations include:
Lord Bichard recommends the reforms are implemented quickly and in three phases.
Lord Bichard launched his report at an event which was livestreamed from RICS' Great George Street office.