The RICS (Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors) in Northern Ireland has a new Director.

The 3,000 member branch of the world-leading body for land, property and construction professionals has appointed Ben Collins to the high-level post.

Mr Collins - a former government information officer and public affairs consultant - will head up the organisation’s policy, communications and administration team in Belfast. He succeeds Ian Murray who held the post for seven years.

Mr Collins says that at a time of very considerable development and urban regeneration across Northern Ireland, the role of the RICS here has never been more important.

“Northern Ireland’s land, property and construction industries now face unprecedented opportunity and challenge. Very significant development and urban regeneration are currently taking place, resulting in an increasingly high calibre built environment that will support economic growth and a more stable and prosperous society. The construction industry is also an ever more important employer and contributor to the economy.

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“On the other hand, our industries must continue to play their part in addressing climate change and dealing with their impact on the environment through sustainable construction methods and by creating more sustainable developments for example. We also face a considerable affordability crisis in our housing market and skills shortages in the construction industry,” Mr Collins continued.

“By promoting best practice amongst our members, engaging with the Assembly and our local Ministers, and working closely with the two local universities, I am determined that RICS Northern Ireland will play a leading role in helping address these and other challenges and capitalising on the available opportunities,” he adds.

A former Northern Ireland Office information officer and public affairs consultant in Northern Ireland and Scotland, Mr Collins also spent more than two years with the General Medical Council. He has considerable experience lobbying government and researching and influencing government policy. He holds a Masters in Business Administration, an MSc in Political Communication and Public Affairs from the University of Ulster and a Law degree with honours from the University of Dundee.

Mr Collins is a member of the Northern Ireland Government Affairs Group, the Political Studies Association of Ireland and the Chartered Institute of Public Relations. A native of Belfast, Mr Collins attended Campbell College in the city.

(JM/SP)