Malaysian-born See Lian Ong has taken office as the first non-British president of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). Lian Ong's election in March this year to replace outgoing president Robert Peto reflects the increasing international role played by the standards organisation.

Martin Bruehl FRICS, one of the three vice-presidents to serve alongside Lian Ong for the year 2011-12, is a German national. He is managing partner of Cushman & Wakefield in Germany.

The other two vice presidents are Louise Brooke-Smith and Chris Fossick.

The president and three vice-presidents are fellows of RICS (FRICS).