New RICS Matrics Chair will address skills and diversity

Gemma Butler

RICS Matrics Birmingham appoints new Chair, Gemma Butler, who hopes to address the skills crisis and diversity and inclusion in her new role on behalf of the networking and support group for local surveying students and trainees.

Working alongside the Matrics committee Gemma Butler MRICS, a chartered surveyor and former executive team member for Lambert Smith Hampton (LSH) will assume the role from August 2016. The committee will continue the great work of previous Chair, Sarah Gregory MRICS, and look to organise and hosting numerous events and CPD across the city of Birmingham.

Gemma recently returned to Birmingham following a six month secondment in London as part of LSH’s executive board. The secondment was put in place to offer a newly qualified surveyor no holds barred access to the executive board, to gain further insight into the business and to share with ideas and perspectives.

On her appointment Gemma commented: “I am delighted to take on this new position within RICS Matrics in Birmingham. Following my fantastic six months in London with LSH’s executive board I can’t wait to take on a new challenge. Matrics enables professionals to keep ahead of their profession and develop their knowledge with like-minded people who are at a similar stage in their career.”

In the role, Gemma will help inspires the next generation of surveyors, working with local schools and colleges to address the current skills crisis within the profession.

“LSH are on a mission to be the most progressive property consultancy I want to take this attitude to the Matrics group and push the boundaries of what we can achieve to inspire more young people into the surveying industry,” comments Gemma.

RICS is committed to working with young people and increasing the number and diversity of individuals entering the surveying profession.