The RICS Podcast

Despite sustained efforts to promote equality, the gender pay gap remains a persistent feature of the real estate and construction sectors, and headline figures alone rarely convey the full picture.
In this episode of The RICS Podcast, host Maria Wiedner MRICS is joined by Dr. Manuela Galetto and Dr. Fuk Ying Tse, as we step behind the statistics to ask what’s really driving the differences in pay between men and women across the sector and how bonus culture, billable hours, and undervalued “glue work” all shape outcomes. 
This episode of The RICS Podcast covers:
How real estate compares on gender pay vs other sectors and the national average
Complexity and limitations of gender pay gap data, and what can disproportionately swing the figures
The fundamental differences between the gender pay gap vs unequal pay 
Company responses and interventions to gender pay gap reporting figures
Valuing women’s work and “glue work” in the age of AI
Maria Wiedner MRICS
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariawiedner/
Fuk Ying Tse
https://www.linkedin.com/in/fuk-ying-tse-133112126/
Manuela Galetto
https://www.linkedin.com/in/manuela-galetto-b9bb64242/
Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors:
https://www.rics.org/uk/
RICS Podcast Page
https://www.rics.org/podcast/
Kieran Halliwell
https://www.linkedin.com/in/kdhalliwell/

Small to medium enterprises (SMEs) are an essential part of the built environment, providing opportunities for young professionals to enter the industry.
In this episode of The RICS Podcast, industry leaders from the surveying and built environment sector share candid insights into the realities of running and growing small to medium enterprises (SMEs).
Jennifer Hobart MRICS is joined by Dominic Doig FRICS, Zaman Sheikh AssocRICS and Sean Pearson AssocRICS to share how SMEs are adopting new technologies, balancing growth with quality, and innovating within the industry.
This episode of The RICS Podcast covers:
The unique challenges and opportunities of running and growing an SME in the built environment sector
Leadership, management skills, and effective delegation for sustainable business success
Adopting new technologies to improve efficiency and remain competitive
Sector-wide talent shortages and the role of SMEs in providing diverse training and career opportunities
Strong, long-term client relationships and maintaining high service quality in a competitive market
Dominic Doig FRICS
https://www.linkedin.com/in/dominic-doig-a2b72b19/
Jennifer Hobart MRICS
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-hobart-mrics-b6954552/
Zaman Sheikh AssocRICS
https://www.linkedin.com/in/zaman-sheikh/
Sean Pearson AssocRICS
https://www.linkedin.com/in/sean-pearson-65241442/
Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors:
https://www.rics.org/uk/
RICS Podcast Page
https://www.rics.org/podcast/
Kieran Halliwell
https://www.linkedin.com/in/kdhalliwell/

Reinforced concrete transfer slabs have become a frontline building safety concern, particularly in medium and high-rise mixed-use and residential schemes. 
In this episode of The RICS Podcast, host Gary Strong FRICS is joined by Patrick Hayes, Trevor Rushton FRICS and Nick Knight MRICS to unpack the emerging risks around reinforced concrete transfer slabs. 
They explore what transfer slabs are, why they have become a critical building safety concern in the UK, and how issues such as punching shear, historic design practices, and incomplete records affect today’s risk profile.
This episode of The RICS Podcast covers:
What reinforced concrete transfer slabs are, where they are typically found, and why they’ve emerged as a building safety issue
How punching shear and concentrated loads create risks not fully covered by historic codes and standard design practice
The roles and responsibilities of those responsible for identifying, assessing, and managing transfer slabs
Practical approaches to assessment and mitigation of risk around transfer slabs
Gary Strong FRICS
https://www.linkedin.com/in/gary-strong-bsc-hons-frics-fciarb-c-builde-fcabe-fcila-b52667b/
Patrick Hayes FIStructE
https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrick-hayes-b23b5778/
Trevor Rushton FRICS
https://www.linkedin.com/in/trevor-rushton-15348222/
Nick Knight MRICS
https://www.linkedin.com/in/nick-knight-77277064/
Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors:
https://www.rics.org/uk/
RICS Podcast Page
https://www.rics.org/podcast/
Kieran Halliwell
https://www.linkedin.com/in/kdhalliwell/

The MIPIM Challengers initiative creates space for the next generation of professionals to share fresh ideas and new perspectives, and this year’s winners include Betsy Brady and Ioana Orzea.
Betsy & Ioana join James Fiske on this episode of The RICS Podcast to share their approach to rethinking embodied carbon as an asset, how we can educate others on driving sustainability in real estate, and young professionals’ drive to decarbonise the built environment.
This episode of The RICS Podcast covers:
Treating embodied carbon not as a one-time cost, but as a resource to be managed and amortised over a building's lifecycle
The MIPIM Challengers showcasing how younger professionals are driving creative solutions to decarbonise the built environment
The importance of measuring and tracking carbon emissions throughout a building's entire lifecycle
Upskilling professionals by developing consistent carbon pricing methodologies and creating career paths focused on carbon management
Strategies for measuring, reducing, and accounting for embodied carbon
This episode was first released on 14 April 2025.
James Fiske
https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-fiske-bcis/
Betsy Brady
https://www.linkedin.com/in/betsy-brady-853348148/
Ioana Orzea
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ioana-orzea-60637813a/
Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors:
https://www.rics.org/uk/
RICS Podcast Page
https://www.rics.org/podcast/
Kieran Halliwell
https://www.linkedin.com/in/kdhalliwell/

George Clarke HonRICS is an architect, television presenter, campaigner and educator whose position allows him to bridge gaps between the built environment and those less acquainted with the construction industry.
In this episode of The RICS Podcast (originally broadcast in December 2024), George joins Emma Martin MRICS and Ayo Ajayi MRICS as they discuss his passion for construction, the industry’s image, the value of work experience and how to make progress with diversity in construction.
This episode of The RICS Podcast covers:
George’s influences to get involved with construction
The impact of media on public perception of construction and the built environment
What it means to work in the public interest
George’s passionate campaigning for social housing
How evolving technology impacts the work of  built environment professionals
George Clarke
https://georgeclarke.com/
Ayo Ajayi
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ayo-ajayi-7356376a/
Emma Martin
https://www.linkedin.com/in/emma-martin-arcadis/
Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors:
https://www.rics.org/uk/
RICS Podcast Page
https://www.rics.org/podcast/
Kieran Halliwell
https://www.linkedin.com/in/kdhalliwell/