Notes to Editors:<\/b><\/p> \n
Louise Brooke-Smith<\/span> BSc (Hons) DipTP FRICS MRTPI<\/i> is a Planning and Development Surveyor, a qualified Urban Land Economist and Chartered Town Planner. She has a wealth of experience from the public and private sectors both in the UK and internationally gained over the past 30 years. Her practice provides professional advice on town planning, land use and development matters to blue chip clients across the country. Additionally, Louise has been retained as a visiting lecturer at various academic institutions.<\/p> \n Within RICS, Louise has been a member of the West Midlands Regional Board since the early 1990s (elected as Branch Chairman for the 1999\/2000 session), represented RICS on the National Planning Forum between 1989 and 2002, as Vice Chairman, and is currently a Commissioner for Disaster Management.<\/p> \n About RICS & RICS Asia<\/b><\/p> \n RICS is the world's leading qualification when it comes to professional standards in land, property and construction.<\/p> \n In a world where more and more people, governments, banks and commercial organisations demand greater certainty of professional standards and ethics, attaining RICS status is the recognised mark of property professionalism.<\/p> \n Over 118,000 property professionals working in the major established and emerging economies of the world have already recognised the importance of securing RICS status by becoming members.<\/p> \n RICS is an independent professional body originally established in the UK by Royal Charter<\/span>. Since 1868, RICS has been committed to setting and upholding the highest standards of excellence and integrity -- providing impartial, authoritative advice on key issues affecting businesses and society. RICS is a regulator of both its individual members and firms enabling it to maintain the highest standards and providing the basis for unparalleled client confidence in the sector.<\/p> \n The RICS Asia supports a network of over 18,000 individual professionals across the Asia Pacific<\/span> region with an objective to help develop the property and construction markets in these countries, by introducing professional standards, best practice and international experience. It promotes RICS and its members as the natural advisors on all property matters. It also ensures that services and career development opportunities are provided to members. <\/p> \n The RICS Asia region covers national associations and local groups locating in Brunei<\/span>, Japan<\/span>, Malaysia<\/span>, Singapore<\/span>, Thailand<\/span>, The People's Republic of China<\/span> and the Hong Kong SAR. It also has members working across the region such as Bangladesh<\/span>, Bhutan<\/span>, Burma<\/span>\/Myanmar<\/span>, Cambodia<\/span>, Indonesia<\/span>, Kiribati<\/span>, Laos PDR, Macao SAR, Mongolia<\/span>, Nepal<\/span>, North Korea<\/span>, South Korea<\/span>, Taiwan<\/span>, The Maldives<\/span>, The Philippines<\/span>, Timor East and Vietnam<\/span>. For more information, please visit: www.ricsasia.org<\/a>.<\/p> \n