Byng defends record after RICS misconduct charge

RICS Construction faculty chairman Michael Byng vowed to continue in his position this week after being found guilty of professional misconduct at an RICS hearing.

A statement released to QS News on Wednesday by Byng said he had full support amongst senior faculty members, despite receiving a fine and costs of just over £3,600 after Monday’s hearing, held in Coventry. Byng also said he “strongly” denied the charges made against him and was taking legal advice over the decision (see statement below).

The hearing is understood to have found that Byng had a conflict of interest when he asked for an RICS inquiry into the demise of property agent Chesterton to be delayed, as his wife had been a director at the firm. Byng was also found guilty of a technical breach of RICS rules related to him providing certificates for his firm’s professional indemnity insurance on time.

An RICS spokesperson said the institution would not comment on individual conduct hearings.

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Michael Byng

QS News understands that Byng is due to meet RICS president Steve Williams today to discuss the hearing and other matters. Monday’s hearing came a week before an RICS governing council meeting is due to be held in Cardiff and comes only two months after Byng was voted in as chairman of the faculty.

Byng’s predecessor Launce Morgan resigned in July after attacking the running of the institution, just before his two-year tenure ended.

In his first interview after being voted in last month, Byng told QS News he would be concentrating on delivering on key issues such as education and training and measurement during his time as faculty chairman. He said he wanted to bring the construction faculty to “the centre” of the RICS, and predicted that the structure of the RICS would change.