Definition

In an APC context, a professional presentation is a structured verbal communication of findings, recommendations or proposals to a defined audience, typically supported by visual aids and followed by questions. The RICS Rules of Conduct (effective 2 February 2022) require members to provide competent service, which includes communicating advice in a manner the recipient can genuinely understand and act on.

Why this matters for Communication and Negotiation

  • Level 2 application: you must show that you have delivered presentations in practice, not merely that you understand how they work in theory.
  • Assessors frequently ask candidates to describe a real presentation — who attended, what you covered, and how you tailored delivery to the audience.
  • Poor presentation skills expose the candidate to professional risk: misunderstood advice, confused clients and damaged relationships.
  • The ability to present under scrutiny mirrors the APC interview itself, making this competency doubly relevant to your final assessment.
  • Rule 3 of the RICS Rules of Conduct (Service) requires members to communicate findings in a way that genuinely serves client needs, not just technically discharges the instruction.

Key principles

Know your audience before preparing any content

The starting point is a clear analysis of who will be in the room. A board of directors needs conclusions and costs up front; a technical team expects methodology and evidence. Establish the audience's decision-making role and prior knowledge before drafting any slides or notes.

Structure drives confidence

Effective presentations follow a clear arc: scene-setting, findings or options, recommendation, and next steps. The inverted pyramid — conclusion first, evidence second — suits busy senior audiences. Lead with professional judgement rather than saving the recommendation for the end.

Manage questions as part of the presentation

Signpost when you will take questions, listen carefully before responding, and be honest if you need to confirm a figure. Saying "I will confirm that in writing by end of week" is a professional answer; speculating with figures in a client context is a conduct risk.

Visual aids support, they do not replace

Slides and visual aids should reinforce what you say, not reproduce it verbatim. A slide dense with text signals reading rather than presenting. Deliver the narrative verbally and ensure all visuals are clearly labelled.

Relevant RICS guidance and legislation

  • RICS Rules of Conduct (effective 2 February 2022) — Rule 3 (Service) requires competent, clear communication of professional advice; Rule 1 (Honesty and Integrity) applies to the accuracy and fairness of what is presented.
  • Equality Act 2010 — presentations must be accessible; consider adjustments for attendees with disabilities or for those for whom English is not a first language.

Ethics and Rules of Conduct angle

Rule 3 of the RICS Rules of Conduct requires members to deliver competent service. A presentation that obscures material risk, overstates certainty or omits information the client needs to make an informed decision also breaches Rule 1 (Honesty and Integrity). The candidate must present findings honestly, flag uncertainty clearly and avoid using visuals in a way that could mislead. Where a presentation is given to stakeholders with potentially conflicting interests, Rule 2 may also become relevant and prior disclosure obligations should be considered.

APC-style Q&As

Q (Level 1)Name three situations in which an RICS surveyor might be required to present findings formally.

A client briefing following a building survey, a development appraisal presentation to a lender's credit committee, and a planning pre-application discussion with a local planning authority are three common examples. Others include a dilapidations settlement meeting, a contractor tender interview and an internal project update to a client's board.

Q (Level 1)What does the inverted pyramid mean in the context of a professional presentation?

The inverted pyramid places the conclusion or recommendation first, followed by supporting evidence and background. This suits busy professional audiences who need to make decisions efficiently. It ensures that even if the audience only absorbs the opening minutes, they leave with the key message and any critical risks clearly communicated.

Q (Level 2)Describe a presentation you have delivered and explain how you adapted your approach for the audience.

(example) On a retail acquisition instruction I presented a condition report to the client's property director and their facilities manager simultaneously. I led with the headline defects and estimated remediation costs for the director, then walked through the schedule of works section by section with the facilities manager, who needed the technical detail to programme the repairs. I used an annotated floor plan to locate each defect visually, which meant the facilities manager could follow without cross-referencing a written schedule. Both parties confirmed they had what they needed to proceed.

Q (Level 2)How do you handle a question during a presentation to which you do not know the answer?

Acknowledge the question, confirm that it requires checking, and commit to a specific follow-up action with a clear timeframe — for example, "I will confirm that figure from the planning register and email you by Thursday." Speculating with figures in a professional context carries professional liability risk and may breach Rule 1 of the RICS Rules of Conduct. Documenting the question and the agreed follow-up in the meeting notes protects both the client and the surveyor.

Q (Level 3)A client has asked you to present options for resolving a significant boundary dispute to a board that includes legally qualified directors and lay members with no property background. How do you approach this?

Preparation centres on what each board member needs in order to vote on a recommended course of action. For the legally qualified directors I would prepare a concise options summary covering each route (negotiated settlement, mediation, expert determination or litigation), estimated costs and risks. For lay members I would open with a plain-English explanation and use a simple comparison table without legal jargon. I would lead with the recommendation and circulate a one-page executive summary in advance. Throughout I would comply with Rule 3 by ensuring the advice genuinely serves each director's decision-making needs.