星空传媒

RICS construction faculty chairman Launce Morgan this week launched an outspoken attack on the institution鈥檚 management and called for QS members to back him in a vote of no confidence in the leaders.

In a statement released on Tuesday Morgan described the leadership as 鈥渁rrogant鈥�, and claimed the institution was overstaffed, over-bureaucratic and undemocratic.

He claimed that such was the bad feeling amongst members that many were considering leaving the institution.

His statement said that leading figures at the RICS, including chief executive Louis Armstrong, had failed the 40,000 members of the construction faculty.

In his three page statement Morgan said: 鈥淭hey have created an empire, shielded from reality, which is plunging the institution into chaos, with many members questioning whether this will be their last year as a chartered surveyor, as they leave for other institutions. The cost of that empire has invaded the ordinary member鈥檚 home, through rising subscriptions and declining services.鈥�

His statement called for an EGM of the body to be held in October and he also called for:

They have created an empire, shielded from reality

Launce Morgan, chairman, RICS construction faculty

• The introduction of a two-part subscription system, where a member may opt out of receiving full RICS services but retain his/her chartered status for a minimum subscription payment
• Independent and ring-fenced funding for faculties and regions
• One member one vote elections for the president and senior vice-presidents of the RICS Morgan attacked the RICS for its financial management, claiming staff numbers and costs were out of control and for its lack of democracy in electing RICS leaders.

Speaking exclusively to QS News this week Morgan said he had been frustrated at how little power he had in his role, which he took up in March 2004.

Morgan鈥檚 criticism was rebutted by Rob Mahoney, chair of the RICS faculties and forums board. He claimed that the institution had made 鈥渟ignificant improvements鈥� to its service to construction members. He said: 鈥淲e have significantly increased our influence with the UK Government including working with the Treasury on PFI, discussing with the DTI improving payment practices in the construction industry and working at an EU level on the Procurement Directive.鈥�

Mahoney added that it was up to the members to decide on how the institution is run and how the budget is allocated. 鈥淚t makes these decisions through its senior governing body, governing council,鈥� he added.