Countrywide links with NAEA to boost association membership

Countrywide, the UK’s largest agency group, is teaming up with the National Association of Estate Agents in what both sides call a landmark partnership. 

Under the arrangement Countrywide will invite all of its ‘customer facing’ estate agents invited to become members of the NAEA. 

Countrywide is the first national estate agency network to adopt such an undertaking, offering employees the opportunity of high level training alongside Countrywide’s own qualifications.

Countrywide operates more than 1,300 associated offices across the UK through 48 well-known high street brands such as Bairstow Eves, Fulfords, Dixons and Taylors. 

This step to ensure employees are NAEA members will, the firm believes, reassure customers that the sales agents they deal with adhere to high professional standards and belong to reputable, recognised and regulated professional body.  

Countrywide employees will also benefit from a NAEA member benefits, including access to training and continuing professional development, regular updates on regulation and policy changes. 

“Housing remains high on both the media and political agenda [and] it allows Countrywide to contribute to the debate and influence key issues that are impacting the sector via our stakeholder and political outreach. We .... hope this will serve as a catalyst to other national chains to adopt similar practices” says Mark Hayward, managing director of the NAEA. 

“Working with AgencyPro, our City & Guilds accredited learning centre, we will roll out this programme of bringing new members into the NAEA, building on the strong skills that we already have within the business and also attracting new talent to learn and develop with us” adds Alison Platt, Countrywide group chief executive.