Trust is something that is built daily. It’s intangible. But the mechanism by which we build it is real.
As experts, we nurture trust though repeatedly demonstrating competence. Not just competently finishing a project – trust is created through ethical, transparent practice. In a climate of faltering public trust in experts and increased scrutiny, this is more important than ever.
British Academy research in 2022 found that how the public expects experts to demonstrate trustworthiness differs between professions. For a politician, trust is based on their ‘level of care and concern for ordinary people, and for their honesty and fidelity to promises.’ Whereas for scientists, we value expertise and experience, and trust is awarded to those with the ‘technical knowledge and capabilities’.
While I am cognisant that as surveyors, we are not scientists in the traditional sense, I believe there are some parities to be drawn. We use technical knowledge, make decisions based on evidence, and crucially, we dedicate our professional lives to constantly improving our knowledge.
As President, it is especially important for members to trust me, to believe that I can deliver on my promises. And for me, those promises fall into three themes: influence, education and confidence.
I want the Institution to strengthen its influence with governments, financial institutions and regulators. I want to streamline the process of becoming an RICS professional, without sacrificing the calibre of the title. And to build public confidence in the profession, while equipping members with the confidence they need to lead in their sectors.
At the nexus of these priorities is our updated Continuing Professional Development (CPD) approach, which we announced earlier this year, along with our new RICS Member App.
Demonstrating expertise
So how will these changes help us to maintain public trust and confidence?
The public depends on professionals making sound decisions about the buildings and communities we spend our time in. Are they safe? Are they sustainable? Are they a good investment? A commitment to lifelong learning signals accountability.
In my last column, I discussed how AI is changing our profession. From AI-powered valuation tools to net zero building assessments, some of the most critical skills in today’s practice did not exist when many of us first qualified. This is something that I am pleased to say we have factored into this strengthened CPD approach. Working with leading organisations and experts, we're developing more resources on data, technology, sustainability and AI, ensuring CPD is directly applicable to your work.
My colleague Christine O’Rourke, our Director of Professional Standards, captured it well when she said that trust rests on our ability to give accurate, up-to-date advice as the industry evolves. Whether we are applying new regulations, responding to climate-related risks, or deploying technological tools responsibly, we must demonstrate the expertise our role demands.
As professionals we are expected to continuously improve and develop. As an institution, we too must never stop adapting to the changing needs of our members and of our public.
