Following an extensive appointment process at the end of 2023, the new starts are:

• Liz Peace CBE – senior independent governor
• Gurpreet Dehal – independent member of RICS Governing Council
• Douglas McCormick – chair of Membership Services Committee and member of the RICS board
• Kelly Olsen – member of the RICS board with digital and technology expertise

The new appointees took up their positions on 1st January 2024, and will work to support an effective governance structure at RICS.

Liz Peace CBE, will join RICS as the new senior independent governor, sitting on both RICS Governing Council and the RICS board.

Liz will bring a wealth of experience and knowledge to RICS, showcasing an impressive career spanning both public and private sectors, most recently holding the title of chief executive of the British Property Federation, where she played a significant role in the creation of the UK’s Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) structure.

Currently chair of the GLA’s Old Oak and Park Royal Development Corporation and of the University of Cambridge’s property board, she is also chair of the Churches Conservation Trust, a secular organisation looking after 358 redundant Church of England churches, and of Real Estate Balance, an organisation working to improve diversity and inclusion in the real estate industry.

Liz was awarded a CBE in 2008 for services to the property industry.

Liz said: “I have worked alongside the RICS for the last 20 years to promote a healthy and sustainable real estate industry in the UK.

“I have, in the past, challenged RICS’s position on some matters, but I do genuinely believe it has a crucial role to play in ensuring that real estate acts as a responsible industry, embracing the change necessary to continue to deliver the places that society needs in order to flourish.

“I am thoroughly looking forward to working more closely with the Presidential Team and with the rest of the RICS organisation to support the changes recommended by Lord Bichard, and to help the organisation realise its full potential as one of the most important influencers on the future behaviours and performance of the real estate world.”

Gurpreet Dehal will join as an independent member of the RICS Governing Council.

Gurpreet brings extensive experience in higher education, financial services, infrastructure, and health.

His executive background includes senior leadership positions in financial risk management and investment banking global operations.

He is currently chair at the University of Derby and an Honorary Fellow at the University of Birmingham, with previous experience as a regulator of Higher Education in England as a board member with the Office for Students. He is also an independent board member with the Defence Infrastructure Organisation and with the London Legacy Development Corporation.

Gurpreet said: “I am delighted to join RICS Governing Council as an Independent Member and look forward to working with colleagues in ensuring progress against the overall RICS strategy.

“The ‘Future Foundations’ framework sets an overall direction for the next three years and I am very excited to bring my experience from other sectors to help drive these key developments in such a major global organisation, and to engage with RICS members in the process.”

Both Liz and Gurpreet’s roles will bring an independent perspective to Governing Council and will support RICS’ public advantage objective. Governing Council is the institution’s highest governance body, setting the global strategy and ensuring RICS fulfils its Royal Charter obligations.

Douglas McCormick will join the RICS board as chair of the Membership Services Committee. Kelly Olsen will join as RICS board member with digital and technology skills.

Douglas is a RICS member with global experience in construction and infrastructure sectors, and in leadership roles, committed to fostering opportunities for the next generation of leaders.

Kelly has a background in chief operating officer and chief information officer roles, with decades of experience in technology and transformation. Douglas and Kelly’s roles are essential in ensuring that the RICS Board has the breadth of experience it requires to meet the challenges of being a global institution.

Douglas said: “I’m delighted to join the RICS board as chair of the Membership Services Committee, at this time of significant change and modernisation.

“I look forward to working with the board, World Regional Boards, the Executive and the RICS team to represent the views and experience of our members as we promote the institution and grow globally.”

Kelly added: “Throughout my career, I have been involved in transformation and change working with some amazing teams. I have a specialism in technology and digital projects and I hope to use this experience within my new role at RICS.

“I cannot wait to see where this new chapter of my career will take me, and to share my knowledge.”