Ian Fergusson, managing partner of Shepherd Chartered Surveyors, has been appointed chairman of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) Scotland in its 150th anniversary year.

The role will see him lead the national board of RICS members in Scotland to drive forward pride in the profession while, as part of a UK fundraising target of £2.25 million to mark the RICS’150th anniversary, spearhead Scottish input from the surveying profession to help raise funds for young people at risk of homelessness.

Of his appointment, Fergusson said: “I’m delighted to assume this prestigious role and look forward to playing an active part in helping inspire the next generation of surveyors. Attracting new talent to the profession is one of our key drives, as well as continually reviewing how we fit our traditional professional services values into a rapidly evolving new world of mega-cities and connected economies through multiple media platforms.

“My aim is to ensure that the RICS remains fit for purpose in a dynamic modern world, through the adaptation of reliable, trustworthy services to deliver confidence, ethics, professional integrity and client and consumer trust in our professional advice.”

Bridge of Allan-born Fergusson, who is also a member of the RICS World Regional Board UK, joined Shepherd Chartered Surveyors in 1992 as an associate in its Stirling office. He became a partner in 1994 and has been extensively involved in the set-up and expansion of the firm throughout England and Wales from 2002.

As managing partner, he has overall responsibility for the delivery of day to day business via Information Technology and operational systems, together with a key role as chief surveyor in the Nottingham-based survey and panel management businesses, which provide UK coverage for national lender clients.