RPSA at the CABE Centenary Celebration.

On 12 September, I had the pleasure of joining my fellow Council member, Malcolm Hordern, at the Chartered Association of Building Engineers’ (CABE) 100th birthday celebrations at Stanbrook Abbey in Worcester.

The heavens did open on us, but that did nothing to dampen the atmosphere! It was a fantastic affair, a brilliant bash to mark a century of achievement. Lord John Lytton proved a witty and generous host, guiding an afternoon of music, history, and hospitality. A classical string quartet and a harpist set the tone, while the catering team ensured there was far too much temptation for a Chairman who really ought to be shedding a pound or two. Malcolm and I even had our caricatures done — though I’m not convinced the artist took any liberties in flattering his subjects! It was all very posh and a truly remarkable event, despite the weather.

Honouring Contribution

A highlight of the day was the presentation of Honorary Fellowships to two distinguished professionals, Hanna Clarke of the Construction Products Association (CPA) and Gill Hancock of the Association for Project Management (APM), in recognition of their contributions to building safety and professional development.

This gesture got me thinking: perhaps it is time for the RPSA, now a mature 15-year-old, to consider a Fellowship category of our own. Many of our members, and indeed other contributors across the industry, have given extraordinary service. A Fellowship pathway could be a fitting way to express our collective gratitude.

CABE’s Story – and Ours

CABE’s exhibition traced its remarkable history from its beginnings in 1925 as a body representing surveyors and architects, right through to today’s global professional association. They even announced plans for a digital library to preserve and share their legacy of publications and journals dating back to 1926. It’s a fantastic, forward-thinking idea that honours the past.

It was striking to compare their century of development with our own journey. The RPSA was incorporated in 2006 and adopted its Articles of Association in 2011, formally setting out our mission to represent independent residential surveyors. In that relatively short time, we have become a nationally recognised voice, building strong relationships with organisations such as CABE. That collaboration is perhaps best reflected in the creation of CABE’s specialist Residential Surveying Section, where the RPSA has played an important role.

Looking Forward

CABE’s centenary was more than just a celebration of the past. It was a reminder of what can be achieved when professional bodies work together, and how vital it is to both honour history and embrace the future. For the RPSA, the future is already taking shape:

• Chartered Status Pathway – formally launched in May 2025, this milestone marks the beginning of a new era, giving our members the recognition they deserve on a par with other chartered professions.
• New Build Snagging Inspections – our ongoing collaboration with the New Homes Quality Board has positioned us at the heart of improving consumer protection and raising standards in the new build sector.
• Education and CPD – we continue to expand qualifications and training opportunities, ensuring our surveyors remain at the cutting edge of professional practice. Our members remain at the heart of this progress, driving the industry forward.
• Industry Voice – from shaping responses to the Building Safety Act to forging alliances with CABE, the Construction Industry Council (CIC) and other bodies, the RPSA is now firmly established as the leading advocate for independent residential surveyors.

So, while CABE looks proudly back on a century of achievement, we look forward — with equal pride — to shaping the decades ahead. And who knows? Perhaps next time we meet at Stanbrook Abbey, Malcolm and I will still be comparing caricatures.

Audio overview (slightly cheesy), but useful.  Click Here

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