Asia Increases Global Property Presence - 2 Eminent Asians Elected as RICS Governing Council Members

HONG KONG, May 13, 2011 /PRNewswire-Asia/ -- The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) Asia announced today that Mr David Tse and Mr Henry Li have been elected to the RICS Governing Council (GC). The term of office will begin in July 2011 and will be for a period of four years.

The GC is the top decision-making body in the RICS. It sets the direction and strategy for the RICS and is made up of 70-strong RICS members from all over the world, chaired by the President. Having set direction, the GC will monitor achievement and performance and adjust strategy as required. There are four other representatives from Asia sitting on the GC, namely Mr Ong See Lian, (Malaysia), the first Asian elected as Global President, Mr Chris Fossick and Dr Megan Walters (Singapore) and Dr Daniel Ho (Hong Kong), reflecting the growing importance of Asia to the RICS globally.

Mr Chris Brooke, Chairman of the RICS Asia Board delivered his congratulations to Mr Tse and Mr Li and said, "Having additional members from Asia joining the GC is very positive from a regional perspective. This additional representation upon the GC will be very helpful as we look to continue to expand our membership and enhance the profile of the RICS in Asia.   I would like to congratulate both Henry and David upon their appointments and look forward to working closely with them going forward."

While Mr Darren Jensen, Director of RICS Asia said, "Both Henry and David are great assets and strong advocates for RICS Asia. Their expertise in the surveying industry and property market is well respected. I am encouraged by RICS Asia's growth and increased representation on the RICS' highest body, the GC."

Mr David Tse has been the Chairman of RICS Hong Kong Board from 2004 to 2008. After serving some 15 years in HSBC group, the Lands Department of HKSAR government, and Levett & Bailey Chartered Surveyors (now Rider Levett & Bucknall), he is now the Managing Director of L T Properties Ltd. and has over 30 years of extensive experience in real estate development industry in Hong Kong, with special expertise in planning & development consultancy and project marketing for rural land projects. He is currently the RICS governing council member, Asia Board member, and Chairman of RICS Hong Kong Housing Task Force, External Affairs & Public Concerns Committee, and Planning and Development Professional Group Committee.

Mr Henry Li is the Vice Board Chairman of Shanghai BDGH Chartered Surveyors Co, Ltd (BDGH) and has over 20 years of industry experience. He is the first Mainland Chinese citizen ever to achieve the MRICS (GP) designation and is the first ever Chinese to gain an elected position on the RICS China Board as Chairman. Mr Li is also the first Mainland Chinese Chartered Surveyor awarded by RICS with the title "Licensed Assessor Trainer" to train RICS members as APC assessors in Asia Pacific. He has combined experience on real estate development consultancy covering market supply and demand research, market positioning and advising clients on individual projects assessment and their market positioning.

About RICS & RICS Asia

RICS is the world's leading qualification when it comes to professional standards in land, property and construction.

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.

Over 100 000 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.

RICS is an independent professional body originally established in the UK by Royal Charter. 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.

The RICS Asia supports a network of over 11,000 individual professionals across the Asia Pacific 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.

The RICS Asia region covers national associations and local groups locating in Brunei, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, The People's Republic of China and the SAR Hong Kong. It also has members working across the region such as Bangladesh, Bhutan, Burma/Myanmar, Cambodia, Indonesia, Japan, Kiribati, Laos PDR, Macao, Mongolia, Nepal, North Korea, South Korea, Taiwan, The Maldives, The Philippines, Timor East and Vietnam. For more information, please visit: www.ricsasia.org.