The RICS Podcast

Amid high housing costs and construction challenges, the UK Government's 1.5 million new homes target by July 2029 is an ambition impacted greatly by macroeconomics, planning reform, and a shifting market.
In this episode of the RICS podcast, Tony Mulhall MRICS, senior specialist, land and resources at RICS is joined by Simon Rubinsohn, Chief Economist at RICS, to unpack the economics behind the Government’s ambitions. 
We’ll hear the origins of the ‘300,000 homes per year’ figure, why it’s more totemic than concrete, and how interest rates, gilt markets and political uncertainty are shaping mortgage costs and housebuilder confidence.
This episode of The RICS Podcast covers:
Origins and limitations of the 300,000 homes per year target 
How interest rates, gilt yields, and political uncertainty are influencing the pace of housebuilding
The balance between supply-side planning reforms and demand-side support 
The impact of rising construction costs, skills shortages, and the struggles of modern methods of construction on delivery capacity
The role of government intervention on land value capture and development viability
Simon Rubinsohn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/simon-rubinsohn-43124162/
Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors:
https://www.rics.org/uk/
RICS Podcast Page
https://www.rics.org/podcast/
Kieran Halliwell
https://www.linkedin.com/in/kdhalliwell/

The new RICS professional standard ‘Responsible use of artificial intelligence in surveying practice’ represents a pivotal shift in how professionals understand and use artificial intelligence in the surveying industry.
Ahead of the standard coming into effect on 9 March 2026, Chris Alder, Senior Executive Officer for Standards and Regulation at RICS, is joined by Nella Pang MRICS, Managing Director at Omega R‑E Ltd and member of the RICS Commercial Property Professional Group Panel, and James Garner FRICS, Head of AI and Data at Gleeds and part of the Construction Professional Group Panel. Together, they explore common misconceptions about AI, its potential to transform the sector, and the ethical issues that every surveyor should keep front of mind.
This episode of The RICS Podcast covers:
Definitions of the many variations and use cases of AI tools in the profession
The role of the ‘human in the loop’, maintaining responsibility for the work that’s undertaken with AI assistance
How AI helps surveyors in more creative aspects of their roles
The increased dangers of cybersecurity which come with the advent of new technologies
James Garner FRICS: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesgarner1976/
Nella Pang MRICS: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nella-pang-mrics-0m3gar3/
Chris Alder: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopher-alder-b528822a/
James Garner’s AI newsletter - Project Flux: https://www.projectflux.ai/
RICS Professional Standard - ‘Artificial Intelligence in the natural and built environment sector’: https://www.rics.org/profession-standards/rics-standards-and-guidance/conduct-competence/responsible-use-of-ai

Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors:
https://www.rics.org/uk/
RICS Podcast Page
https://www.rics.org/podcast/
Kieran Halliwell
https://www.linkedin.com/in/kdhalliwell/

In this episode of the RICS Podcast, Jon Rowling is joined by conservation experts Karen Gwilliams FRICS, Joanne Williams MRICS, and Sam Wheeler MRICS to explore what it takes to safeguard the UK’s historic buildings. 
We find out about the rewarding projects in heritage surveying, the growing skills gap in traditional crafts and conservation surveying, and how technology & AI are changing the future of the sector.
This episode of the RICS Podcast covers:
The rewarding nature of working on historic buildings
The growing skills gap in traditional crafts and conservation surveying
Practical pathways into a career in historic building conservation
How climate change, flooding, and extreme weather are affecting historic buildings
The evolving role of technology and AI in assessing, monitoring, and managing heritage assets
Jon Rowling
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jon-rowling-41a09329/
Joanne Williams
https://www.linkedin.com/in/joanne-williams-364468b1/
Karen Gwilliams FRICS
https://www.linkedin.com/in/karen-gwilliams-8834a220/
Sam Wheeler MRICS
https://www.pha-building-conservation.co.uk/profile.htm
Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors:
https://www.rics.org/uk/
RICS Podcast Page
https://www.rics.org/podcast/
Kieran Halliwell
https://www.linkedin.com/in/kdhalliwell/

The month of Ramadan begins in February, observed by many professionals in the built environment and other corporate industries.
In this episode of the RICS podcast, membership DEI manager Tomi Ayede is joined by Gohar Nawaz, land and development manager for Kandore Properties in Nottingham, and Amir Latif MRICS, portfolio manager at M Latif and Sons in Birmingham, to explore what it means to be a surveyor observing Ramadan. 

How can we support Muslim colleagues and build considerate workspaces during the month of fasting, prayer, and reflection?
This episode of the RICS Podcast covers:
How observing Ramadan shapes the daily routines, wellbeing, and work patterns of Muslim surveyors in the built environment
Practical ways employers and colleagues can support fasting staff, including flexible hours and meeting etiquette
Common myths and misconceptions about Ramadan and fasting
Inclusive policies and practices to consider during Ramadan
On Thursday 26 February, join RICS Matrics Birmingham, RICS Matrics Nottingham, and Muslims in Real Estate (MiRE) for a special Iftar evening at RICS Birmingham.
Book your place: https://www.rics.org/training-events/networking-events/rics-matrics-birmingham-nottingham-iftar-event-muslims-real-estate
Tomi Ayede
https://www.linkedin.com/in/tomiayede/
Gohar Nawaz
https://www.linkedin.com/in/goharnawaz-property/
Amir Latif MRICS
https://www.linkedin.com/in/amir-l-225b58106/
Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors:
https://www.rics.org/uk/
RICS Podcast Page
https://www.rics.org/podcast/
Kieran Halliwell
https://www.linkedin.com/in/kdhalliwell/

The Renters Rights Act 2025 brought with it a host of new considerations that will impact surveyors’ work in the very near future.
In this episode of The RICS Podcast, Mairead Carroll is joined by property litigation solicitor Adrian McClinton and CBRE executive director Sharief Ibrahim to unpack the real-world implications of the Renters Rights Act 2025 for landlords, tenants, and the build to rent sector. 
We’ll also cover what’s in the Act, how it affects the build to rent sector, and how the industry at large will shift over the years to come as the Act comes into place.
This episode of The RICS Podcast discusses:
An overview of the Renters Rights Act 2025 and how it amends the Housing Act 1988
How the Act affects the build to rent sector, in comparison to the private rented sector
The phased implementation, enforcement, and practical preparation steps for landlords and agents
Sharief Ibrahim
https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharief-ibrahim-4419193a/
Adrian McClinton
https://www.linkedin.com/in/adrian-mcclinton-5061a032/
Mairead Anne Carroll
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mairead-anne-carroll-3998b078/
Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors:
https://www.rics.org/uk/
RICS Podcast Page
https://www.rics.org/podcast/
Kieran Halliwell
https://www.linkedin.com/in/kdhalliwell/