Founded in 1868, the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) is the world’s leading professional body for those working in the built and natural environment, promoting and enforcing professional excellence internationally. Working in the public interest, RICS advances knowledge, upholds standards and inspires current and future professionals – setting professional standards for over 130,000 members, candidates and 10,000 firms operating across more than 140 countries globally.
Working with trusted data and insight, RICS supports international agencies, governments, business and the public, upholding standards for those operating in land, real estate, infrastructure and construction. We support decision makers, external stakeholders and governments helping to shape public policy, deliver positive societal change and provide a foundation for confident markets – RICS members directly influence the quality of lives, underpin societies and drive economies; advancing and inspiring professionalism for the benefit of society helping create and protect built and natural environments that are sustainable, resilient, and inclusive.
As Senior Executive Officer, Standards and Regulation, Chris is responsible for ensuring that members, professionals, the public and stakeholders can have trust and confidence in the profession. His role includes responsibility for ensuring RICS works in the public interest through rigorous entry requirements, delivering assessments, robust and relevant professional standards, effective assurance, regulation operations and alternative dispute resolution mechanisms. He is passionate about the positive difference which professionals and professional regulators when working together can make to improve the lives of people around the world, in driving economic progression and in making a tangible difference in the global fight against corruption.
Prior to joining RICS and leading the global regulatory function, Chris led the fitness to practise function at the General Pharmaceutical Council (the UK statutory regulator of pharmacy and pharmacists). Formerly a partner with one of the UK’s Top 50 law firms, being recognised as a leading regulatory lawyer in Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners; his practice as a solicitor-advocate included acting for regulators and international professional bodies, advising on all aspects of regulatory law and policy, leading complex high profile investigations and prosecuting cases before a range of tribunals and Courts.
Chris advises in a range of non-executive capacities, including supporting UK government policy in areas such as for the Department of Education and Department of Business and Trade, supported The Commonwealth and co-authored The Commonwealth Anti-Corruption Benchmarks with Commonwealth Secretariat and Global Infrastructure Anti-Corruption Centre and has contributed to OECD’s programme of international regulatory cooperation. He is a mediator accredited with both RICS and the International Mediation Institute.
