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The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), one of the oldest and most esteemed professional bodies in the construction industry, has had a turbulent year to say the least.

After reports emerged at the end of 2020 that four non-executive directors had been abruptly ousted from its governing council, the institution initially tried to play down the story.

But it quickly snowballed into a full-blown governance crisis, resulting in a huge backlash among members that forced the RICS鈥� embattled chief executive Sean Tompkins to order an independent inquiry.

The saga rumbled on throughout the year as more details emerged of why the non-executives were fired, culminating in the publication of Alison Levitt QC鈥檚 report in September.

It revealed that the institution鈥檚 leadership had attempted to suppress a damning financial report and dismissed the non-execs when they raised concerns.

It led to the immediate resignations of Tompkins, president Kathleen Fontana, former president Chris Brookes and management board chair Paul Marcuse, and the launch of a fresh independent inquiry into how the RICS should reform itself.

That inquiry is now underway and is being chaired by a former senior civil servant Michael Bichard. 

Its conclusions, due to be published next year, are likely to prove to be a watershed for the institution.

Here are some of the highlights from this year as the story played out.

RICS facing revolt over financial report scandal

Published: 11 January

Four former presidents of the RICS have written to the body鈥檚 current leadership calling for an independent inquiry after a group of directors were dismissed for trying to raise the alarm about a critical financial report.

Fired directors hit back at RICS鈥� claim they asked for their departure to be kept secret

Published: 28 January

The four fired directors at the centre of a row that has shaken the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors have hit back at the organisation鈥檚 claims they asked for their dismissal to be kept under wraps.

RICS reforms: Members demand sweeping changes

Published: 17 February

In the wake of the recent scandal that has engulfed the RICS, the surveyors鈥� body has faced a backlash about whether it is offering the membership what they need. We decided to open our own informal consultation, inviting suggestions from RICS members 鈥� here are their responses

Members鈥� anger laid bare as satisfaction rate with RICS slumps to historic low

Published: 20 May

The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors has promised to regain the trust of members after initial responses to a review into its future purpose revealed satisfaction rates have crashed to an all-time low.

Independent review into the RICS scandal: key findings

Published: 10 September

A 鈥減ower struggle鈥� at the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors resulted in the unfair dismissal of four members of the body鈥檚 governing council, a damning review into the scandal concluded yesterday.

鈥橶e will make you proud to be RICS members again鈥�

Published: 2 November

Interim chief executive Richard Collins responds to 好色先生TV鈥檚 open letter to the institution鈥檚 new leaders