One of Europe's most respected voices in real estate sustainability has just taken the helm of RICS's European board, and for investors and developers navigating an increasingly ESG-driven regulatory landscape, the timing could not be more significant.
Cushman & Wakefield Partner and Head of Sustainability & ESG for Central and Eastern Europe and the Nordics, Stefan de Goeij, has been appointed Chair of the European World Regional Board (EWRB) of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). He will concurrently serve as a Member of the Global Members Committee, giving him a dual mandate to shape the profession both regionally and at a global level.
Based in Prague and backed by more than 25 years of real estate experience, de Goeij is a recognised authority in sustainability and ESG strategy, specialising in integrating green credentials into property management, improving operational efficiency, and helping clients align portfolios with tightening regulatory, occupier and investor requirements. His appointment places a practitioner with deep market knowledge at the centre of RICS's European agenda at a pivotal moment for the sector.
For investors and developers active across Europe, the appointment carries direct relevance beyond the professional sphere. RICS sets the valuation and reporting standards that underpin asset pricing and due diligence across more than 140 countries. With the EU Taxonomy, SFDR, and the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) reshaping how real estate assets are classified, financed and traded, having a sustainability-focused Chair driving the European board's priorities could accelerate the harmonisation of ESG standards across markets, reducing compliance uncertainty and ultimately influencing how green premiums are reflected in valuations.
"I am deeply honoured to be appointed as Chair of the RICS European World Regional Board and to also serve as a Member of the Global Members Committee. Taking on these roles in the current environment is both challenging and exciting, and I look forward to working closely with colleagues to support the evolving agenda and represent RICS members across Europe."
"Stefan's appointment is a recognition of his long-standing expertise and strong leadership in sustainability and real estate management. His new role within RICS not only underlines his personal credibility but also strengthens our connection to key global industry discussions and standards. We believe this will bring additional value to our clients and partners across the region."
RICS, which counts more than 141,000 members operating across more than 140 countries, promotes and enforces the highest international standards in valuation, management and development of land, real estate and infrastructure. De Goeij's elevation to the EWRB chair reinforces Cushman & Wakefield's positioning at the intersection of advisory practice and standard-setting, a combination that will be closely watched by institutional capital deploying into European real estate in the years ahead.
