Chairman Comments

Welcome to this edition of the ARP Newsletter.

I have recently taken on the role of Chairman from Simon Johnston of Icon Relocation. Simon has done a sterling job, especially leading the charge on our exciting Lobby Group activities and I would like to thank him for his endeavours and the immense amount of personal and work time he has devoted to the Association over the last 3 years. Simon remains committed to the Association.

This an exciting time for the ARP and the Board are re-energising the Association, its aims and objectives, the value it brings to its members and the UK Relocation & Property Finder industry.

Ideas on the table for discussion and action include:

•Building value in the association through:

-A recognised and enforced Code of Conduct

-On-going training sessions in a wide range of common relocation practices

- A recognised and enforced Code of Practice for Property Finders

- Regular Newsletters, incorporating relocation information from European Associations

- Regular regional events allowing Local Area Consultants to meet with DSPs

- Utilising the economies of scale for the membership for items such as employee benefit perks, insurances, legal helpline, knowledge base, environmental accreditation, HR management, etc.

- Member only access to an up-to-date directory of members including Local Area Consultants and DSPs, together with valuable affiliate members who supply to the UK Relocation and Property Finder industry

• Promoting, educating and creating awareness of the value of Relocation Companies and Property Finders with Government, industry in general and the public of our invaluable role in our society

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• Creating a clear and understandable difference between Estate and Letting Agents from Property Finders and Relocation Companies. We have different roles in the value chain, and we need to address this.

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• Getting new members on board. There are Relocation Companies, Property Finders, Local Area Consultants and those affiliated with our industry which should be part of our Association but aren’t. We must be ‘the voice’ of our industry and accepted as such. We must leverage our common aspirations, our desire to be recognised, consulted, valued and seen as professionals to influence government for the benefit of our members and the UK as a whole.

There is a great deal to do and not much time to do it if we are to build on the back of Lobby Group’s work. Government is beginning to sit up and listen, but your Association needs you. It needs your membership; it needs your ideas, and we need you to be involved. Thank you

Adrian Leach - HCR Group