Guy Leonard proposes plan to split body into interest groups to appeal across membership

Franklin + Andrews boss Guy Leonard has called for the RICS to restructure into specific interest groups for smaller and larger QS firms to become more popular amongst members.

Leonard said he had recently met RICS chief executive Louis Armstrong to discuss problems with the institution.

In an interview with QS News Leonard, who is managing director of the £70m Mott MacDonald division that oversees F+A, said he thought the RICS was trying hard to appeal more to bigger QS firms.

He said: “The RICS need to think very seriously about creating interest groups, a bit like the big political parties have done. They could have one for smaller practitioners and single traders and one for bigger practices. They have to be open about it and admit they can’t offer the same to everybody.”

Leonard said he had discussed with Armstrong the idea of the body focusing on particular issues, such as PFI, as well. He said: “We have several people who could help with that. It’s beholden on all of us to improve things at the RICS.

I think the RICS is trying really hard to get its act together. It has an impossible job

Guy Leonard, Mott MacDonald

“I think the RICS is trying really hard to get its act together. It has an impossible job catering for all the different interests of members.”

An RICS spokesman stressed that the core business of the body was of value to both small and larger firms.

The RICS has been under the spotlight in the past few weeks after construction faculty chairman Launce Morgan hit out at the RICS’s leadership. He then resigned and apologised to chief executive Armstrong days after his attack.

Morgan’s stance did receive backing from RICS critic Jeremy Hackett two weeks ago. Hackett said he would support the EGM call unless the RICS answered issues previously brought up by his campaign.

Source

QS News

Postscript

Leonard predicted the demise of the brand name of Motts’ project management division, called Osprey, but claimed the F+A brand would remain. He said there was some confusion with all the brands within Motts. Leonard said: “I think Osprey will disappear in the next 12 months.”