Department of Property hosts RICS Global President for exclusive student career event
The Department of Property welcomed RICS Global President Nick Maclean FRICS and senior industry professionals for an exclusive student event on building global careers in commercial real estate.
The Department of Property hosted an exclusive student event with the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) on 21 April 2026, bringing together students, industry leaders, and the global head of the world's leading professional body for the built environment.
Held on the City Campus, the event was headlined by RICS Global President Nick Maclean FRICS, who travelled to Auckland as part of his international engagement programme. The session created a unique opportunity for property students to hear directly from one of the most senior figures in the global real estate profession, alongside two practising chartered surveyors who shared their own international career journeys.
As a globally recognised professional designation, RICS membership is widely regarded as a benchmark of excellence in commercial real estate, valuation, project management, and the wider built environment. The event was designed to help University of Auckland property students understand how professional accreditation can support international mobility, career development, and access to a worldwide network of practitioners.
Opening the session, Nick Maclean FRICS shared his personal career story, reflecting on the lessons and turning points that shaped his path to the top of the profession. He spoke about how the RICS designation has supported professionals in navigating an increasingly globalised property industry, and encouraged students to think early and ambitiously about the international dimensions of their careers.
The event also featured two guest speakers who brought the global career theme to life through their own experiences. Kirsteen Lamont MRICS shared her international career journey in commercial real estate, highlighting the professional milestones and decisions that have shaped her work across different markets. Joshua Cooper MRICS, a University of Auckland property graduate who recently returned from working in Canada, spoke about how RICS membership supported his transition into the international workforce and helped him build global professional connections at an early stage of his career.
Joshua's story carried particular resonance for the student audience, demonstrating how a University of Auckland property degree, combined with professional accreditation, can open doors to careers well beyond New Zealand.
The session concluded with an open question-and-answer session, during which students engaged the speakers on a wide range of topics including career pathways, the value of professional networks, navigating international job markets, and how to approach the early years of a property career. The discussion highlighted strong student interest in the global opportunities available within the commercial real estate sector.
The session created a unique opportunity for property students to hear directly from one of the most senior figures in the global real estate profession, alongside two practising chartered surveyors who shared their own international career journeys.
A representative from the Department of Property said the event reflected the department's ongoing commitment to connecting students with leading professional bodies and industry practitioners.
"Hosting the RICS Global President alongside two practising chartered surveyors gave our students a rare and valuable window into the global real estate profession. Events like this complement classroom learning by showing students what is possible in their careers and how professional networks can support them at every stage."
The event continued informally over pizza and refreshments, giving students the opportunity to network directly with the speakers, RICS representatives, and academic staff in a relaxed setting. The strong turnout and lively discussion underscored the value students place on engagement with industry leaders and the global property profession.
The Department of Property looks forward to continuing its collaboration with RICS in supporting the next generation of property professionals at the University of Auckland.