Justin Sullivan, the founder and CEO of construction consultancy business Adair, has become the 143rd president of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.
Sullivan, who takes over from Tina Paillet, is described as being passionate about developing the next generation of surveyors and knowing well the challenges that skills shortages across the globe present to the profession and the built environment as a whole. RICS, in which its members in the United Kingdom also are involved in building surveying and valuation, said last year it was looking to increase its presence in North America.
RICS said he is also keen to maintain and expand recognition of the profession's positive impact on society at large, and his work over the next 12 months will reflect these interests.
Sullivan said he looks forward to serving as president of the important group has supported and promoted the surveying profession for over 150 years. "Whilst RICS certainly has an incredible history, my eyes are firmly set on the future, and particularly the next generation of surveyors," he said in a statement.
The RICS board sets the rules and reviews the performance of surveyors to maintain "appropriate protection for consumer and clients" as it investigates those who may not meet the standards it sets, and it oversees the independent tribunal that investigates such actions.
"Across the globe, demand for built environment professionals of all specialisms is white hot, and opportunities for the next generation are profound," Sullivan said. "We need to get more young people considering and entering surveying as a career. The UK faces many challenges – we need to build more homes, but face skills shortages which threaten to derail these plans.
"Similarly, surveyors and other built environment professionals are in short supply across the globe, most acutely in regions where construction is booming, such as the Middle East. We must also develop an increasingly welcoming profession which is open to people of all backgrounds and identities – a crucial cornerstone for getting more youth into the profession."
Setting global strategy
Sullivan leads the governing council that sets the global strategy and ensures RICS fulfils its Royal Charter obligations.
It provides strategic oversight on requirements for entry into the profession, and the setting and enforcement of professional standards so that it continues to deliver confidence in the built and natural environment. It also shapes its priorities.
RICS was founded in 1868. Its qualification as a surveyor takes four years and is essential for work as a surveyor or valuer.
In another move, RICS fellow Nicholas Maclean was elevated to president-elect following his service as senior vice -president last year.
Outgoing President Paillet said in a statement the industry "faces profound skills shortages across all global regions, which is something I know Justin is passionate about tackling."