RPSA at the CABE Centenary Celebration.
On 12 September, I had the pleasure of joining my fellow Council member, Malcolm Hordern, at the Chartered Association of Building Engineers’ (CABE) 100th birthday celebrations at Stanbrook Abbey in Worcester.
The heavens did open on us, but that did nothing to dampen the atmosphere! It was a fantastic affair, a brilliant bash to mark a century of achievement. Lord John Lytton proved a witty and generous host, guiding an afternoon of music, history, and hospitality. A classical string quartet and a harpist set the tone, while the catering team ensured there was far too much temptation for a Chairman who really ought to be shedding a pound or two. Malcolm and I even had our caricatures done — though I’m not convinced the artist took any liberties in flattering his subjects! It was all very posh and a truly remarkable event, despite the weather.
Honouring Contribution
A highlight of the day was the presentation of Honorary Fellowships to two distinguished professionals, Hanna Clarke of the Construction Products Association (CPA) and Gill Hancock of the Association for Project Management (APM), in recognition of their contributions to building safety and professional development.
This gesture got me thinking: perhaps it is time for the RPSA, now a mature 15-year-old, to consider a Fellowship category of our own. Many of our members, and indeed other contributors across the industry, have given extraordinary service. A Fellowship pathway could be a fitting way to express our collective gratitude.
CABE’s Story – and Ours
CABE’s exhibition traced its remarkable history from its beginnings in 1925 as a body representing surveyors and architects, right through to today’s global professional association. They even announced plans for a digital library to preserve and share their legacy of publications and journals dating back to 1926. It’s a fantastic, forward-thinking idea that honours the past.
It was striking to compare their century of development with our own journey. The RPSA was incorporated
in 2006 and adopted its Articles of Association in 2011, formally setting out our mission to represent independent residential surveyors. In that relatively short time, we have become a nationally recognised voice, building strong relationships with organisations such as CABE. That collaboration is perhaps best reflected in the creation of CABE’s specialist Residential Surveying Section, where the RPSA has played an important role.
Looking Forward
CABE’s centenary was more than just a celebration of the past. It was a reminder of what can be achieved when professional bodies work together, and how vital it is to both honour history and embrace the future. For the RPSA, the future is already taking shape:
- Chartered Status Pathway – formally launched in May 2025, this milestone marks the beginning of a new era, giving our members the recognition they deserve on a par with other chartered professions.
- New Build Snagging Inspections – our ongoing collaboration with the New Homes Quality Board has positioned us at the heart of improving consumer protection and raising standards in the new build sector.
- Education and CPD – we continue to expand qualifications and training opportunities, ensuring our surveyors remain at the cutting edge of professional practice. Our members remain at the heart of this progress, driving the industry forward.
- Industry Voice – from shaping responses to the Building Safety Act to forging alliances with CABE, the Construction Industry Council (CIC) and other bodies, the RPSA is now firmly established as the leading advocate for independent residential surveyors.
So, while CABE looks proudly back on a century of achievement, we look forward — with equal pride — to shaping the decades ahead. And who knows? Perhaps next time we meet at Stanbrook Abbey, Malcolm and I will still be comparing caricatures.
1st ever all industry Surveyor of the year awards
A HISTORIC FRIDAY NIGHT FOR SURVEYORS AT THE NEGOTIATOR AWARDS 2025 What a night! The chandeliers were shaking at the iconic GROSVENOR HOUSE ON PARK LANE this Friday for The Negotiator Awards 2025. It was a spectacular, sparkling gala attended by over 800 guests and hosted by co...
Continue reading
Sava Expo
RESIDENTIAL SURVEYING EXPO 2025: PEOPLE, IDEAS, AND MOMENTUM DATE AND VENUE: TUESDAY 7 OCTOBER 2025, COVENTRY BUILDING SOCIETY ARENA RPSA TEAM ON THE STAND: ANDREW MCCOLL, MALCOLM HORDERN, STEPHEN MCCARRON AND SEAN CURTIN The Residential Surveying Expo returned to Coventry with...
Continue reading
You’re All Going to Die (But Your Family Doesn’t Have to Suffer): Why Wills Are Essential for Surveyors—and Everyone Else
YOU’RE ALL GOING TO DIE (BUT YOUR FAMILY DOESN’T HAVE TO SUFFER): WHY WILLS ARE ESSENTIAL FOR SURVEYORS—AND EVERYONE ELSE I know what you’re thinking Andrew’s lost the plot, going on about Wills. Isn’t this what we ignore until retirement? Trust me, even if you’re ...
Continue reading
A Crucial Conversation at The Law Society: The RPSA Championing Consumer Protection
On Tuesday, 10th June, Alan Milstein (the RPSA's ex-chairman, now deeply involved in the prestigious Home Buying and Selling Group and a tireless champion of upfront information) joined me. We met with Nick Denys, Head of Private and Commercial Law, Legal Policy Directorate, an...
Continue reading
New Era in Building Safety: MHCLG Assumes Direct Control—Key Implications for Surveyors
On 30 June 2025, the UK government announced a landmark move: the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) is now directly responsible for building safety regulation, replacing the Health and Safety Executive. The aim? To speed up housebuilding, cut red tape,...
Continue reading
Propertymark One: A Surveyor's Take on the UK's Largest Property Conference.
Andrew McColl, Chairman, recently attended Propertymark One 2025 at ExCeL London, offering a unique perspective on the UK’s largest multi-disciplinary conference for property professionals. The RPSA is committed to ensuring our members are always at the forefront of the proper...
Continue reading
Stronger Foundations: Driving Standards in New-Build Snagging Inspections
WHY IT MATTERS MORE THAN EVER With over 200,000 new homes being built annually across the UK, ensuring consistent quality and consumer protection has never been more urgent. As more first-time buyers and families move into these properties, the need for professional, independen...
Continue reading
Elevating Safety: Essential Work at Height Guidance for Residential Surveyors
NAVIGATING REAL-WORLD RISKS AND LEGAL DUTIES DURING PROPERTY INSPECTIONS INTRODUCTION: WHY HEIGHT SAFETY MATTERS IN RESIDENTIAL SURVEYING Residential property surveying inherently involves tasks that necessitate working at height, ranging from comprehensive roof inspections to ...
Continue reading
Significant EPC Changes Ahead: How Surveyors Can Prepare for RdSAP 10.
Just when we thought EPCs had settled down, they're changing again—but this time, the updates are substantial. As you are aware, EPCs have been part of the property landscape since 2008, but they haven't had the best reputation. We’ve all seen it: generic defaults, outdated c...
Continue reading
A Collaborative Conversation: RPSA Chairman Andrew McColl with PCA CEO Sarah Garry
We recently sat down with Sarah Garry, CEO of the Property Care Association (PCA), for an insightful discussion on her journey, the PCA's strategic priorities, and the vital collaboration between our organisations. ANDREW MCCOLL (RPSA CHAIRMAN): Well, Sarah, thank you very much ...
Continue reading
The Building Safety Act 2022: Why No Residential Surveyor Can Afford to Ignore It
AT A RECENT PROPERTY INSTITUTE EVENT, MANY OF US WERE STRUCK BY A KEY MESSAGE FROM SANDRA ASHCROFT, HEAD OF INDUSTRY COMPETENCE AND CULTURE CHANGE WITHIN THE BUILDING SAFETY DIVISION AT THE HEALTH AND SAFETY EXECUTIVE (HSE). SHE UNDERSCORED THE FAR-REACHING IMPLICATIONS OF THE BU...
Continue reading
RPSA Chairman Reflects on Property Institute Conference 2025: Building Bridges for a Better Built Environment.
Earlier this month, RPSA CHAIRMAN ANDREW MCCOLL and former Chairman ALAN MILSTEIN attended The Property Institute’s (TPI) 2025 Annual Conference. Held at the prestigious QEII Centre in Westminster, the event welcomed nearly 900 property professionals, highlighting the sector's ...
Continue reading
RPSA Chairman Attends Conveyancing Association London Event: A Slice of Policy, A Side of Laughter, and Plenty to Digest
Howden's Offices, London | 15 May 2025 After a full morning immersed in the scale and sparkle of the Property Institute Annual Conference, I found myself swapping grand auditoriums for a more intimate gathering in the heart of London, courtesy of the Conveyancing Association. Th...
Continue reading
Conveyancing Matters: Networking, Collaboration, and Why It Pays to Step Outside the Surveying Bubble
THE WOODINS SHADES, BISHOPSGATE, LONDON / 15 MAY 2025 🕰️ 6:00 PM–9:00 PM (AND WELL BEYOND FOR SOME…) After a packed day of professional development—starting at the Property Institute Annual Conference and followed by the Conveyancing Association’s mini-conference—...
Continue reading
Celebrating Leadership and Legacy: RPSA Chairman Attends CABE Presidential Inauguration at the House of Lords
HOUSE OF LORDS, LONDON | 9 MAY 2025. It was a great honour to represent the Residential Property Surveyors Association at the Chartered Association of Building Engineers (CABE) Presidential Inauguration, held at the historic House of Lords. The event marked not only the formal p...
Continue reading
Surveying in a Changing Climate: What the Law Society's Note Means for RPSA Members
A FRIENDLY HEADS-UP: WHY THIS ARTICLE MATTERS TO YOU Hello fellow RPSA members! We've put this article together because, as you know, the world around us is changing, and so is the landscape of property surveying. You might have seen the recent buzz around The Law Society's new ...
Continue reading
