I trust you had a good summer. Since becoming President in May, it’s been clear how fast things are moving in our profession. What continues to impress me most is the dedication of our members, and I feel privileged to serve as your President for the year ahead.
This year brings major business rates reform. The Non-Domestic Rating (Multipliers and Private Schools) Act 2025 introduces a new multiplier regime from April 2026. This will lower rates for retail, hospitality, and leisure businesses, but raise them for the largest hereditaments (properties with high rateable values) and remove charitable relief for private schools, likely increasing their business rates bills. The Government is also consulting on changes to business rates baselines, reliefs, and information duties, which could further affect ratepayers across sectors.
These measures aim to modernise the system and boost investment. However, sectors such as retail are concerned about rising costs. The RSA will work closely with the Government, VOA, Assessors, and Local Authorities to ensure reforms are fair, transparent, and consistent, meeting the needs of both ratepayers and professionals.
Closer at hand, we expect draft rateable values for the 2026 Revaluation to be released in late 2025. The revised Rating Lists will come into effect on 1 April 2026 across the UK. These forthcoming lists will set the framework within which many of us operate. The Association will continue to represent members’ interests as the changes emerge.
Thank you to the members who responded to the recent Membership Survey. Your feedback, representing over a quarter of our members, clearly shows your priorities: professional development, networking, communication, and regional engagement. These priorities will directly drive our agenda for the year ahead.
We have already begun acting on some of this feedback. Last May’s Annual Members’ Dinner trialled a new format, moving from black tie to business suit attire and, for the first time, including a short CPD talk. The response was overwhelmingly positive, with members appreciating the mix of professional discussion, relaxed high-quality dining, and networking. Building on that success, next April’s Members’ Dinner will expand the CPD element with a “Question Time” style session, followed by networking and a formal dinner with colleagues and fellow members.
Importantly, the Association’s tradition of black tie remains very much alive — our Annual Guest Dinner will continue as the flagship black tie occasion in the calendar. The Members’ Dinner now offers a complementary format: professional content in a more accessible setting, alongside the sociable and high-quality dining experience our members value. Our Hon. Mess Secretary, Ben Monk, will confirm the date and full details in due course.
This balance between tradition and innovation reflects a broader theme for the Association over the coming year — maintaining what makes the RSA distinctive, while evolving to ensure we remain relevant and valuable to our members.
On professional development more broadly, I am pleased that the new Certificate in Rating, developed with the IRRV, is now available. The RSA is proud to support this initiative. It is a significant step in providing structured learning and recognition for advancing careers. Alongside this, the Association will continue to strengthen its CPD programme. We will also build on the success of the NextGen initiative, which provides tailored networking and development opportunities for early-career surveyors. Together, these efforts ensure we support both current and next-generation rating professionals. Work is ongoing to refresh the RSA website. Member feedback is shaping these changes. Our priority is to make the site a more useful and relevant hub for CPD, news, and events. We also want to help members manage Association activities more easily.
Looking ahead, the RSA will press for reforms that ensure transparency, consistency, and fairness. We will work with fellow professional bodies to clearly and authoritatively represent the rating surveyor perspective.
I encourage you to get involved—share your views, suggestions, or concerns directly with me at president@ratingsurveyorsassociation.org. Your perspectives are essential and will directly influence the Association's priorities. Let’s shape the future of the RSA together.
Thank you for your continued support. I look forward to working with you all during the year ahead.
Myles O’Brien
President, Rating Surveyors’ Association