Meet the chairman of RICSDavid has been a Member of the RICS

for 30 years and a Fellow since 1996.ln addition to being Chair of the UAENational Associatlon, David is a Memberof the RICS Global Knowledge Boardand MENEA Education & StandardsBoard. David is also an RICS AccreditedMediator.

David is a recognised authority oninternational real estate matters. Havingworked in the UK, across Europe,the USA and the Middle East, he hasexperience in a wide range of propertymatters including investment anddevelopment and is a specialist in realestate/property asset management forall asset classes.

David was Global Head of AssetManagement for the Royal Bank ofScotland Group for more than ten years.During his time in the Middle East, Davidheld the position of Senior Vice Presidentwith Majid Al Futtaim before taking uphis current role as Fund Manager withSinoGulf Real Estate lnvestments LLCbased in Abu Dhabi.

What is the RICS?RICS is the world's leading professional

body for qualiflcations and standardsin land, property and construction.As an independent organisation, theRICS acts in the public interest, settingand regulating the highest standardsof competence and integrity amongstits members and providing impartial,authoritative advice on key real estateissues for business, society andgovernments worldwide. The focus ofthe RICS as an organisation is firmly seton professional standards.

The RICS has more than 100,000members operating in 146 countries.There are also some 500 RICS accrediteduniversity degree courses, with currentlyover 34,000 students, which will ensurethat membership remains strong in thefuture.

The RICS publishes over 500industry research and policy papersevery year, leading real estate thinkingglobally. Members have access to theworld's largest online property, landand surveying library together withprofessional guidance and market-leading survey information.

RICS members specialise in allmattersacross the property lifecycle - fromdevelopment and construction adviceto valuation of assets and investments,from project management to propertymanagement - in total, there are morethan 1 60 specialisations.

Why did you decide to join the RICS?An RICS qualiflcation provides me with

unrivalled credibility and status in themarket and, at the same time, providesconfidence to my clients and businesspartners. I carry a valuable designationafter my name (FRICS); a mark that isglobally recognised and highly valuedthroughout the land, property andconstruction industry.

This gives me a competitive edge asthe RICS qualification is highly regardedby clients - in fact, everyone that I comeinto contact with in business. lt also setsme apart with employers and ensuresthat my CV makes its way to the top of thepile when pursuing career opportunitiesaround the world.

The RICS designation means thatyou are a member of the world's pre-eminent professional organisation in realestate. lt is clear evidence that you haveachieved high standards of competenceand ethics in your chosen career andprovides an international passportopening doors to business, networkingand career opportunities globally.

How does RICS regulate its membersand why?

RICS Regulation provides assurancethrough independent regulation of theprofession. RICS is the leading globalsource of professional qualif ications,training, technical and ethical standardsin land, property and construction. Wehave an arms-length regulatory functionto provide assurance to charteredsurveyors, their firms, markets and thepublic that RICS members and firmsoperate to the highest professionalstandards.

As chartered surveyors and aregulated profession, RICS memberscommit to certain professional ethicalstandards and continuous professionaldevelopmenl to demonstratecompetence. Firms must ensureprocedures are in place to provide forthe protection of their clients, such ashaving a complaints handling procedurethat includes an independent redressmechanism.

Regulation monitors, guides andassists members and firms to complywith our rules, regulations and ethicalstandards. We review and investigatecomplaints and, where appropriate,take disciplinary action in cases wheremembers and/or regulated f irms fallshort of what is expected of them. lnthis way, we underpin the buslness andbest practice of the profession with anappropriate regulatory regime so that

David Cockerton(BSc MBA FRTCS FlnstCPD FCM\MClArb)Occupation: Fund Manager SinoGulfReal Estate lnvestments LLCPosition: RICS Chairman UAE NationalAssociation

chartered surveyors, wherever theypractise and in whatever specialisation,are doing the best possible job for theirclients.

Done well, professional regulationleads to efJicient markets, competentpractitioners, conf ident consumerswho have access to redress, and wellrun businesses. RICS provides this forour members and clients in the globalproperty market.

What are the benefits for members?RICS members set themselves apart

to employers, firms and clients. As RICSqualified professionals they are not onlyassessed on entry but are also regulatedthroughout the lifecycle of their career.They can demonstrate that they reachthe highest standards in the profession,access courses and monitor their CPDtraining and receive dedicated help andsupport from Regulation staff to meetlegislative or regulatory requirements.There are additionally a range ofschemes which promote and supportspecific surveying.

What are the benefits for firms?Firms that are 'Regulated by RICS'

give confidence to their clients andthe public because they have publiclycommitted to uphold the highest levelsof professional and ethlcal standards.Specifically, clients can be confidentthat they will ensure that their corporatepolicies lead to practice in a professionaland ethical manner in line with RICS coreprinciples, have processes in place tomanage risk and handle complaints in aprofessional manner and hold adequateand appropriate levels of professionalindemnity insurance (Pll) to safeguardboth their firm and clients.

Vol 14 lssue 3 Autumn 2012