John Duff new RICS chairman

By STEWART McINTOSH

THE new chairman of RICS Scotland is John Duff, a planning and development specialist who has worked on many high profile government projects over the past 30 years.

Mr Duff is currently involved in the planning and development of the Dalmarnock area of Glasgow – the site of the 2014 Commonwealth Games Village, the National Indoor Stadium and Velodrome.

His appointment comes at a challenging time for planning in Scotland, with the Government considers its next move with regard to planning gain supplement (PGS).

He said: “This is an exciting time for chartered surveyors with the introduction of the Government’s Home Report plus the Scottish Government will be consulting on planning matters over the next few months. RICS Scotland’s members are well placed to advise the government and other organisations and able to adapt to any changes this may present. As chairman I will be helping to make this happen.”

Dundee-born Diff, who is also a member of the Royal Town Planning Institute, gained a degree in town and regional planning from Dundee

John Duff - an 'exciting time' for chartered surveyors

University in 1976. His first job was with Dundee District Council and he has since been involved with a number of local authorities and public sector organisations on projects such as the Clyde Golden Jubilee Hospital.

He has also worked for chartered surveyor firms including Graham and Sibbald and Bell Ingram and currently runs John Duff Planning in Linlithgow, providing planning and development advice. He also acts as a locum for property companies and public sector organisations.

Graeme Hartley, RICS Scotland director, said: “John Duff has had a long and very successful career in the industry and is therefore ideally placed to lead RICS Scotland and I look forward to working with him.

“John is a well respected figure in the Scottish business scene and that, coupled with his knowledge of the property industry and the Scottish planning system, will stand him in good stead for his new role.”