In response to the announcement from RICS Ian Pitt comments “I am delighted to be taking up the role of Regional Chair of the RICS West Midlands, despite the fact that Gurdip has done such a tremendous job that he will prove a very tough act to follow.  On behalf of us all in the region I would like to extend our thanks to him and say personally how much I have enjoyed working with him as a co-opted board member and more recently as Deputy Chair.

I come to the post of Chair having spent over 15 years in the commercial property market, based in the Midlands, working in private practice as I do now as partner and head of client services in the Birmingham office of Bruton Knowles.  It is a region I know well and being West Midlands born and bred I am proud to play a part in its continuing growth and regeneration. 

As a RICS APC Assessor I have a particular interest in seeing the newest recruits in our profession developing in confidence and ability and securing the professional accreditation they deserve, and this is something I would like to focus on over my time as Chair.

I am also incredibly keen to explore the ways in which the RICS West Midlands can help the industry through what is likely to prove a more challenging year. With 7,500 members in our region handling business estimated at over £130bn we have an important role to play in shaping the future of the commercial property sector both regionally and nationally, as we face potential uncertainty in the market. 

Professional expertise and commercial understanding will prove critical in the coming months to help build confidence and inform activity, and no other organisation in the sector is better placed to provide this. 

I look forward to working with you all over the next two years to ensure that our profession and our region continue to go from strength to strength”.