With more than 30,000 items and an original estimate between £7.6m and £11.3m, Freddie Mercury's auction at Sotheby's in London in 2023 exceeded expectations, fetching £39.9m in just over a week.

In this week’s episode of The RICS Podcast, we meet the three exceptional women who helped bring this sale to the public and asked them about the challenges in discovering, valuing and selling the belongings of an international rock star who is so fondly remembered.

Rachel Reilly is the Senior Director and Head of Valuation for Europe at Sotheby’s London. Sarah Hodgson and Carey Wallace are memorabilia specialists and Co-Founders of Wallace and Hodgson, who were engaged as consultants to work on the wardrobe section of the sale.

Notable sales include Mercury's crown and cloak, selling for £629,000, almost 10 times the estimate, and a Tiffany & Co moustache comb that went for £152,400, over 250 times its estimate.

The auction's success (140,000 people visited Sotheby's to view the items) highlights the enduring appeal and legacy of the iconic Queen frontman.

This episode of The RICS Podcast covers:

• The extraordinary scale, popularity, and success of the Sotheby’s Freddie Mercury auction
• The process, challenges, and expertise needed to manage over 30,000 items, including iconic costumes and unique memorabilia
• The importance of storytelling and immersive curation to make the experience accessible, emotional, and museum-like for visitors

Ashley Stewart-Noble

https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashleystewartnoble/

Carey Wallace

https://www.linkedin.com/in/carey-wallace-0b0a3a28/

Sarah Hodgson

https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-hodgson-76792923/

Rachel Reilly

https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-reilly-172513273/

Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors:

https://www.rics.org/uk/

RICS Podcast Page

https://www.rics.org/podcast/

Kieran Halliwell

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kdhalliwell/

This episode is part of RICS Legal Landscapes, a limited podcast series developed by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors which is CPD-compliant and designed to support professional development across the surveying profession and the broader built environment.

The role of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) in the construction industry is evolving, and recent case law shows how it’s being most effectively used in recent examples.

In this episode of The RICS Podcast, Dave Hull MRICS is joined by Guy Bolt MRICS and Kirsti Olson, sharing their expert legal and practical perspectives, the essentials of ADR, and its real-world impact on project success.

Learning outcomes

Explain the importance of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) in the construction industry and identify its key practical applications.

Analyse recent legal developments and landmark cases to evaluate how they shape the use of ADR.

Demonstrate the essential skills and capabilities needed to participate effectively in ADR processes.

Assess the value of interdisciplinary collaboration between surveyors, legal teams, and other professionals in managing disputes.

Apply current guidance and reflect on future trends to understand how embracing ADR can improve project outcomes and support ongoing professional development.

Dave Hull MRICS

https://www.linkedin.com/in/davehull/

Guy Bolt MRICS

https://www.linkedin.com/in/guysheerbolt/

Kirsti Olson

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kirsti-olson-84288b51/

Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors:

https://www.rics.org/uk/

RICS Podcast Page

https://www.rics.org/podcast/

Kieran Halliwell

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kdhalliwell/

Sustainability is, and will continue to be, a prevalent factor in the built environment; this year’s RICS Sustainability Report 2025 offers fresh insight into how the climate agenda is shaping practices across the world.

In this insightful episode of the RICS Podcast, host Kisa Zehra is joined by leading experts Susanne Eickermann-Riepe FRICS and Alexandra Faciu MRICS to explore the latest findings, with critical regional insights and the policies driving decarbonisation in construction.

This episode of The RICS Podcast covers:

• The evolving demand and market drivers for sustainability in real estate
• Financial constraints and access to capital as current major barriers to sustainable development
• The impact of government policy, regulation, and harmonised sustainability standards across different regions
• The increasing significance of climate resilience in valuation, investment decisions, and risk management for real estate assets
• The crucial role of RICS members in advancing decarbonisation efforts and implementing best practice globally

Susanne Eickermann-Riepe FRICS

https://www.linkedin.com/in/s-eickermann-riepe-pwc/

Alexandra Faciu, MA MRICS

https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexandrafaciu/

Kisa Zehra

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kisa-zehra-0740ba92/

Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors:

https://www.rics.org/uk/

RICS Podcast Page

https://www.rics.org/podcast/

Kieran Halliwell

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kdhalliwell/

This episode is part of RICS Legal Landscapes, a limited podcast series developed by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors which is CPD-compliant and designed to support professional development across the surveying profession and the broader built environment.

Purpose & Learning Outcomes

• Understand Gateway 2's legal framework and how it alters the construction process.
• Recognise the key responsibilities of accountable persons and duty holders under the new regime.
• Learn from real examples of how organisations are adapting their internal processes.
• Be aware of enforcement mechanisms and the importance of early engagement with the Building Safety Regulator.

Welcome to this CPD-Focused episode of The RICS Podcast, in which Gary Strong FRICS is joined by Graeme Manley MRICS and David Savage to explore the pivotal Gateway 2 stage of the Building Safety Act 2022 and its notable impact on the built environment.

The trio cover crucial insights into the evolving legal landscape for higher risk residential buildings (HRBs), how Gateway 2 fits into the wider gateway process, and the operational challenges facing both clients and contractors.

This episode of The RICS Podcast covers:

• Gateway 2 and its pivotal role in the new building safety regulatory regime for higher risk residential buildings
• Legal obligations and increased responsibilities for clients, principal designers, and principal contractors under the Building Safety Act 2022
• Challenges with application delays, information quality, and the impact on social housing and existing residential buildings
• The importance of demonstrating duty holder competence and maintaining thorough documentation
• The need for improved industry collaboration, cultural change, and operational adaptation to meet evolving safety standards and compliance requirements

Gary Strong FRICS

https://www.linkedin.com/in/gary-strong-bsc-hons-frics-fciarb-c-builde-fcabe-fcila-b52667b/

Graeme Manley MRICS

https://www.linkedin.com/in/graememanley/

David Savage

https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidjsavage/

Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors:

https://www.rics.org/uk/

RICS Podcast Page

https://www.rics.org/podcast/

Kieran Halliwell

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kdhalliwell/

Last week, we were delighted to host the return of the Harris Debate, this year asking the important questions about the surveyor’s duty of care during times of great housing demand.

This episode of The RICS Podcast comes to you live from the event, moderated by Lord Bichard of Nailsworth KCB, and featuring a panel with Dr Wei Yang OBE, Faraz Baber FRICS, Charlotte Neal MRICS, Fiona Fletcher-Smith and Joey Aoun.

With firsthand perspectives from industry experts and practical ideas for catalysing change, this episode offers an opportunity to engage with the issues shaping the future of housing, and the moral balance at the heart of the solution to the housing crisis.

This episode of The RICS Podcast covers:

• The ethical responsibilities of surveyors and built environment professionals in addressing the housing crisis
• Confronting the challenges of delivering affordable, high-quality housing amid financial, regulatory, and political pressures
• The importance of community engagement and local authority leadership in sustainable housing development
• Innovative financial strategies and public-private partnerships to unlock housing supply and investment
• Highlighting solutions such as repurposing vacant homes and retrofitting existing stock for immediate impact

Dr Wei Yang OBE

https://www.linkedin.com/in/wei-yang-obe-84771b26/

Faraz Baber FRICS

https://www.linkedin.com/in/faraz-baber-frics-mrtpi-539ba518/

Charlotte Neal MRICS

https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlotte-neal-a9603a6/

Fiona Fletcher-Smith

https://www.linkedin.com/in/fiona-fletcher-smith-0b22302a1/

Joey Aoun

https://www.linkedin.com/in/joey-aoun-0a469aa3/

Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors:

https://www.rics.org/uk/

RICS Podcast Page

https://www.rics.org/podcast/

Kieran Halliwell

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kdhalliwell/

There are a great number of reasons to take pride in being a surveyor, and much to do in order to make that pride accessible to all who wish to join the industry.

This week on The RICS Podcast, we’re joined by Morag Angus FRICS, Diana Massawa MRICS, Tim Kenny AssocRICS and Maarukh Abbas, who take us through the most rewarding aspects of the profession, and the EDI work that could make entry into surveying more universally feasible.

This episode of The RICS Podcast covers:

• What draws people to the surveying profession, and its most rewarding aspects
• The ‘hidden societal barriers’ to entering the industry
• Routes to qualification in different territories
• The impact that surveyors make through their roles and through local community work
• What sets us apart from other careers, and the traits of a great surveyor

Morag Angus FRICS

https://www.linkedin.com/in/morag-angus-ma-hons-dip-ls-frics-31666b3b/

Maarukh Abbas

https://www.linkedin.com/in/maarukh-abbas-80974716b/

Diana Massawa MRICS

https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianamassawa/

Tim Kenny AssocRICS

https://www.linkedin.com/in/tksurveying/

Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors:

https://www.rics.org/uk/

RICS Podcast Page

https://www.rics.org/podcast/

Kieran Halliwell

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kdhalliwell/

The future of the built environment relies on us teaching the right skills to those currently aspiring to work in the profession.

In this episode of the RICS Podcast, host Kevin Keane FRICS is joined by Jane Sykes MRICS and Babatunji Adegoke MRICS to explore the essential skills shaping the future of the surveying profession and the built environment.

They’ll cover the dynamic between hard skills and soft skills, highlight strategies for fostering inclusivity at all career stages, and the value of continuous development in an ever-evolving workplace.

This episode of The RICS Podcast covers:

• The evolving landscape of surveying and built environment professions, with an emphasis on new technical skills such as sustainability and digital technologies.
• The critical balance between technical expertise and essential soft skills like emotional intelligence, communication, and collaboration.
• Changing entry routes and opportunities to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion across the surveying profession.
• The challenges and opportunities associated with digital competence, continuous learning, and adapting to rapid technological change.
• The importance of professional culture, supportive development programs, and collaborative approaches to nurture adaptability, curiosity, and lifelong learning within the field

Kevin Keane FRICS

https://www.linkedin.com/in/babatunjiadegoke/

Jane Sykes MRICS

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jane-sykes-mrics-mcipd-59a8671b2/

Babatunji Adegoke MRICS

https://www.linkedin.com/in/surveyorkev/

Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors:

https://www.rics.org/uk/

RICS Podcast Page

https://www.rics.org/podcast/

Kieran Halliwell

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kdhalliwell/

Surveying is a rich profession with a long-spanning, illustrious history that stretches back to medieval times, and it’s a key area of focus for Professor Carl Chinn MBE.

This special episode of The RICS Podcast delves into the roots of the profession, as Professor Chinn MBE shares with Suki Bell FRICS his findings on how surveying has evolved across generations, and the key figures who’ve influenced the industry as we know it today.

This episode of The RICS Podcast covers:

• The historical origins of surveying, tracing back to early medieval land surveys
• The evolution of surveying techniques and tools, notably the use of plane tables and the role of engravers in creating maps
• The professionalisation and diversification of surveying in the 18th and 19th centuries
• The pioneering contributions of female surveyors like Irene Martin and Evelyn Perry

Suki Bell FRICS

https://www.linkedin.com/in/suki-bell-frics-chair-of-the-rics-lpa-birmingham-44695620/

Professor Carl Chinn MBE

https://www.linkedin.com/in/prof-carl-chinn-mbe-7577441b4/

Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors:

https://www.rics.org/uk/

RICS Podcast Page

https://www.rics.org/podcast/

Kieran Halliwell

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kdhalliwell/