20. Mentioned CPD

Question 1

Conduct Rules, Ethics and Professional Practice - 11 Apr 2025

Answer 1

• Rules of Conduct
• Governance Structure of the RICS

Question 2

Octopus Complaints Handling - 15 Sep 2023

Answer 2

Definition of a complaint (FCA)?
* A complaint is an expression of dissatisfaction, whether oral or written about the company’s service or products.

Examples of complaints?
* Delay in service
* Incorrect information
* Financial performance issues

Octopus complaints procedure?
* As not on the CRM system at work, would need to send an email to the complains handling inbox.
* The team will acknowledge the complaint within 2 working days, confirming escalation and look to clarify the complaint.
* The team will investigate and provide a formal response within 8 weeks.
* If the customer is still unhappy, they can escalate the complaint to the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS), who will review both sides of the case independently and issue a decision.

Important notes:
* At Octopus, regulated and unregulated financial products are treated the same in complaints handling.
* Managing customer expectations is critical.

FCA regulation on complaints handling?
1. Timely acknowledgement - 2 working days.
2. Final response deadline - 8 weeks from receiving complaint.
3. Clear communication - fair, clear and not misleading.
4. Right to refer to ROS.
Complaint recordkeeping - firm must hold record for at least 3 years.

Question 3

High Impact Writing with Chris van Schaick - 13 Oct 2023

Answer 3

What did you learn?
* Use simple language: Avoiding jargon and complicated terms to improve understanding.
* Reader-focused writing: what do they need to know
* Effective email writing including Writing clear subject lines, structuring emails effectively, getting to the point quickly.

Question 4

Financial Modelling and Accounting Course - 20 Nov 2023

Answer 4

What is the difference between a balance sheet, income statement, and cash flow statement?
* Balance Sheet: Shows a company’s financial position at a specific point in time (assets, liabilities, equity).
* Income Statement (Profit & Loss): Shows financial performance over a period (revenue, expenses, and profit/loss)
* Cash Flow Statement: Tracks cash inflows and outflows during a period, showing how cash is generated and used.

What is the purpose of financial models in analysis and forecasting?
* Project a company’s future financial performance
* Support decision-making
* Assess investment scenarios
* Value businesses or Real Estate assets

What does OPEX mean?
* Operating Expenditure – the ongoing costs of running a business (e.g. rent, salaries, utilities).

What does SG&A mean?
* Selling, General & Administrative Expenses – non-production costs like marketing, admin salaries, and office rent.

What are some useful Excel functions?
* INDEX-MATCH: Looks up values dynamically, more flexible than VLOOKUP.
* VLOOKUP: Searches for a value in the first column and returns a corresponding value from another column.
* MAX: Returns the highest number in a range.
* MIN: Returns the lowest number in a range.

What are some useful Excel shortcuts for financial modelling?
* ALT + H home ribbon
* Ctrl + Z: Undo
* F2: Edit cell
* F4 Cell Lock

How do you error check a financial model?
* Review formulas line-by-line
* Sense check outputs vs assumptions
* Use Excel’s trace precedents/dependents - visually show will cells feed in
* Data validation if values in two cells should match
Use cell highlighting or auditing tools - Error checking button scans worksheet for common errors or inconsistent formulas

Question 5

EG Future Leaders Summit 2023 - 21 Sep 2023

Answer 5

How does RICS define diversity, equity, and inclusion?
* Diversity: The range of visible and invisible differences among people.
* Equity: Providing individuals with the right tools and support based on their unique needs to achieve their potential.
* Inclusion: Creating a culture that actively includes people so they feel comfortable being their whole selves at work.

What is RICS’s position on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI)?
* RICS sees a moral and economic imperative to embed equity and inclusion in the workplace and society, aiming to lead and adapt to global cultures while celebrating diversity.

What priority DEI topics has RICS identified for 2025?
* Gender equity, mental health, social mobility, and disability inclusion.

What are the key RICS documents related to diversity, equity, and inclusion?
* RICS DEI Strategy 2024
* RICS Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Progress Report 2024

Give examples of actions your firm could take to promote DEI:
* Welcome new starters with clear values communication
* Use reverse mentoring or coaching
* Remove bias in recruitment via structured interviews and diverse panels
* Collect and publish workforce diversity data
* Support employee community groups
* Provide inclusive practice training for staff

Question 6

Haymacintyre’s Future Generations Programme - Gender Allyship - 10 Oct 2023

Answer 6

What is gender allyship in the workplace?
* Actively supporting and advocating for gender equity by challenging bias, listening, and standing up for underrepresented genders.

Question 7

Envision Whole Life Carbon Assessment Workshop - 14 Nov 2023

Answer 7

What life-cycle stages are considered in a Whole Life Carbon Assessment?
* Material extraction (products)
* Manufacturing (products)
* Transport (products)
* Installation (construction)
* Operation and maintenance (in-use)
* End of life (disposal)
* Benefits beyond the system boundary

What are the four life-cycle modules defined by the RICS standard?
* Module A1–A5: Products and Construction stage
* Module B1–B7: In-use stage
* Module C1–C4: End of life stage
* Module D: Benefits and loads beyond system boundary

Which standards and methodology does the Whole Life Carbon Assessment for the Hinckley project follow?
* The RICS professional standard for detailed carbon assessments, based on EN 15978 (European standard).

What software was used for the carbon assessment?
* OneClick LCA software.

Which life-cycle stage contributed the most to carbon emissions at Hinkley?
* Upfront embodied carbon (A1–A5).

What was the total whole life-cycle carbon footprint for the Hinckley care home over 60 years, and how does it compare to similar projects?
* 3,300 tonnes of CO₂e. While there was no formal benchmark for care homes at the time, this was relatively low compared to similar projects.
* The reduced footprint was due to efficient substructure design (strip concrete foundations on favourable ground), lower emissions for external works (roads, boundary wall) and use of ASHP with underfloor heating.

Question 8

Innovation Zero Conference: Net Gain and Net Zero: Balancing Biodiversity in the Built Environment – 29 Apr 2025

Answer 8

What is Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG)?
* BNG is a planning requirement that ensures developments leave biodiversity in a better state than before. It aims to deliver measurable improvements to biodiversity through development projects.

Key Requirements:
* Developers must demonstrate a minimum 10% net gain in biodiversity.
* Gains are typically achieved through onsite habitat enhancement and, where necessary, offsite habitat creation or restoration.
* Biodiversity improvements must be maintained for at least 30 years post-development.
* Requires robust baseline ecological surveys and ongoing monitoring.

Relevant Regulations and Guidance:
* Environment Act 2021 (UK legislation mandating BNG).
* Defra’s Biodiversity Metric (used to calculate net gain).
* RICS and planning guidance on biodiversity and ecological assessments.

Alignment with Net Zero:
* BNG supports broader environmental goals, including net zero carbon targets, by promoting sustainable land use and ecosystem resilience.
Challenges:
* Balancing development needs with ecological requirements.
* Securing funding and land for offsite habitat compensation.
* Ensuring long-term management and monitoring.

Stakeholders Present:
* Milton Keynes City Council: Local planning authority overseeing BNG implementation.
* Triodos Bank: Lender promoting sustainable finance and funding BNG-compliant projects.
* The Guinness Partnership: Registered provider integrating BNG in affordable housing developments.
* The Wildlife Trust: Conservation group supporting ecological best practices and habitat restoration

Question 9

Burges Salmon: Biodiversity Net Gain Training – 15 July 2025

Answer 9

Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) Overview:
* BNG is a legal requirement to ensure new developments leave biodiversity in a better state than before.
* Requires developments to deliver at least a 10% net gain in biodiversity.

Key Legislation:
* Biodiversity Net Gain regulations stem from the Environment Act 2021.

Mitigation Hierarchy:
* Prioritises avoidance of impact on medium to very high distinctiveness habitats.
* If impact occurs, developers must mitigate by enhancing or creating habitats onsite, or by purchasing offsite biodiversity credits.
* Emphasis on onsite habitat improvements, with statutory credits purchased being a last resort (Much more expensive).

Responsible Bodies:
* Organizations registered to oversee and approve Biodiversity Gain Plans and register gains.
* Currently, 30 registered responsible bodies manage BNG compliance.

Key Implementation Challenges:
* Timing of securing biodiversity gains can be unclear, causing procedural issues and compliance risks - Developers have legally binding biodiversity improvements in place prior to the start of development.
* Lack of clarity on use of Compulsory Purchase Orders (CPO) for acquiring land for BNG: There is uncertainty about how authorities can use CPOs to obtain land specifically for biodiversity projects, making it harder to secure necessary sites.
* Procedural teething issues, such as appeals, highlight the need for certainty: Early legal challenges and appeals reveal gaps in rules and processes that need to be resolved to ensure smooth and predictable implementation.
* Shortage of ecological expertise and resources to deliver effective BNG: There aren’t enough trained ecologists or funding to properly assess and manage biodiversity projects, limiting the quality and success of biodiversity gains.

Upcoming BNG Requirements for Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIP):
* BNG rules will apply to NSIPs starting May 2026.
* A Biodiversity Gain Statement will be mandatory for NSIPs and integrated into National Policy Statements.
Consultations are ongoing regarding small/medium sites and metric updates, closing July 2025.