Nick Maclean has become the 144th president of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, taking up the one-year role with the industry body in the past week.
It's an influential position: The 158-year-old group sets standards for 130,000 members and candidates operating in the development and management of land, real estate, construction and infrastructure across more than 140 countries. Based in London, RICS is an organisation that establishes and enforces standards for valuing, operating and developing various types of real estate.
As president, Maclean brings 30 years’ experience at CBRE including being chair of CBRE Middle East and North Africa Region and seven years as a Scottish trade envoy. He has also been an active member of RICS for over 20 years, serving on governing council and is a former chair.
He will assume the position of president after holding the role of Acting President since March 2025. Over the last three years the RICS said it has undergone significant transformation, at the heart of which has been improving the member experience. Those changes have been prompted by concerns over the direction of the institution and board governance. The real estate industry body has been looking to draw a line under a turbulent few years.
In 2022, the institution began implementing the Bichard independent review into its purpose, governance and strategy. The independent review was published in June 2022 with 36 recommendations for its overhaul, citing an "urgent" and "unarguable" need for change. The institution had already committed to implementing the 18 recommendations of the Levitt inquiry into events that took place in 2018-19 following an audit of RICS's finances.
For a recent interview with RICS's chief executive and chair about ongoing changes click here.
RICS said that during the past three years, United Kingdom membership has increased by 5,000 to pass the 100,000 milestone for the first time in its 157-year history, with member satisfaction increasing by seven points over this period. In addition, the group has restructured its team to be closer to its membership, "ensuring the right staff are in the right locations, while investing heavily in technology," RICS said.
RICS said in a statement: "While committing to continuing this momentum into 2026, Maclean and the leadership team will be focusing on the four key areas to its members: Skills, Homes and Infrastructure, Sustainability and Resilience, and Data and Technology."
Maclean said in a statement: “It’s such an exciting time for the RICS as it evolves to meet the fundamental reshaping of real estate driven by technology and sustainability and profound social, cultural and geoeconomic shifts. The role of the RICS as both an industry and consumer-facing organisation has never been more important.”
He added that “central to this work will be a focus on lifelong learning with RICS ensuring support for everyone who wishes to practice in our profession from 14 to retirement and beyond. We know that persistent skills shortages across the built environment will increasingly constrain delivery which is why we must build and maintain a robust pipeline of talent whilst elevating the importance of professional standards in the public interest.
“The housing crisis remains one of the most critical issues facing our Government and the country, with planning reform and accelerated delivery necessitating increasing reliance on professional advisors around land, viability, valuation, development and risk.
“2026 will see an acceleration in transition from net zero ambition to delivery, putting more pressure on professional expertise to manage climate risk, retrofit, resilience and long term value in the built and natural environment.
“Finally, permeating the full spectrum of the industry, the digital revolution will continue apace, with advances in AI, data and digital tools changing the way and speed at which the sector operates. Professional standards, integrity and judgement in its application in the public interest is central to how we embrace change.”
Chief Executive Justin Young added: “I’ve really enjoyed working alongside Nick over the course of 2025 and I’m delighted to see him take up the reigns of the RICS Presidency for 2026. While headquartered in London, our membership illustrates we are a truly global organisation which is reflected in Nick’s own career with his considerable experience of working in various international markets.
“He has held a number of roles with the RICS over 20 years and knows the organisation inside out. Nick also shares our passion for addressing skills shortages, promoting best sustainability practice and embracing new technologies in the best interests of our members and consumers.
“2026 promises to be a big and exciting year for RICS and our members and we are in a strong place to address the challenges which lie ahead and accelerate the change and momentum gained over the last two years.”
Susanne Eickerman-Riepe becomes the senior vice-president of RICS for 2026, while Maureen Ehrenberg becomes president-elect following her year as Senior Vice President in 2025.