David Tuffin FRICS, President of RICS, met members and partners across the Americas region during a busy week-long tour in May.

Mr. Tuffin is Managing Partner and co-founder of independent building consultants Tuffin Ferraby Taylor, and has been a chartered surveyor since 1971. He has given evidence as an expert witness in many professional negligence and building disputes, being called to the High Court in London, the Hong Kong High Court, and to county court cases across the UK. As President of RICS, he has overseen many exciting RICS moments, including the launch of new offices in Russia and India, as well as a renovation of the world headquarters.

Mr. Tuffin began his Americas tour in Jamaica, under the guidance of Brian Goldson FRICS, Chair of RICS Caribbean, and Elizabeth Stair FRICS, CEO of the National Land Agency. President Tuffin met with important community leaders including Errol Morrison, President of UTech and Hon. Michael Henry, Minister of Transport & Works, agreeing that RICS will continue to support standards and training that are increasingly important to the property economy of Jamaica and the Caribbean. President Tuffin confirmed this RICS support in his interaction with the leadership of an RICS-backed study of the Caribbean's four largest cities, led by David Neale FRICS. His highlight: recognizing eight of the newest RICS members, who had just passed their APCs the previous week.

The President began his Toronto visit with a breakfast meeting hosted by the Eastern Canada Chapter Chair, John Hughes FRICS. John gathered a small group of Toronto members including Sheila Botting FRICS, RICS Americas Board member, and Allison MacIntosh MRICS who has led the popular Toronto Development Series. While in Toronto, Mr. Tuffin had the opportunity to meet with some of RICS key accounts including Cushman Wakefield, CM2R and Altus Group.

The President was also featured as a speaker in an evening seminar at the Royal Canadian Yacht Club. He discussed BuildAction - a worthy initiative founded by RICS to assist in disaster relief and preparation. The evening also featured a presentation by the Toronto president of Habitat for Humanity. Over 40 members and friends were in attendance.

President Tuffin spent the end of the week in New York, headquarters of RICS Americas. He kicked off his visit as co-host of an event with the American Society of Appraisers (ASA). With ASA President John Willey FASA as co-host, President Tuffin noted the increasingly important partnership between the two groups. The event explored the Grand Masonic Lodge of New York, and the complex multi-disciplinary appraisal of the building as well as its vast collection of furnishings, art and antiques. Ellen Epstein MRICS ASA, the appraisal team's leader, led the discussion - a model for future collaborations among RICS and its peer associations.