What future for Propertymark? Chief to be quizzed by critic of NAEA

Propertymark’s chief executive - officially still in post on just an interim basis - is to face questions from a past critic of the organisation.

Nathan Emerson, named as interim CEO of Propertymark nine months ago following high-ranking resignations at the organisation, has since that time beefed up research and PR, and is now recruiting a new policy head.

His tenure is widely regarded to have been a success to date, and to have given a new and more respected profile to the organisation.

Now he is to give his most significant public appearance so far at the Property Investor Show this weekend, where he will face questions from former online agency chief and more recently property PR guru, Russell Quirk.

Late in 2020 - before Emerson’s appointment - Quirk castigated Propertymark, saying it was “increasingly in danger of looking irrelevant, mediocre and too often just invisible to the public and agents; it needs modernising, some teeth and its ‘old school tie’ image renewing. When was the last time you heard of a rogue agent being ejected from NAEA?"

Now Quirk will be asking Emerson the questions at the show, with the session also expected to cover Propertymark’s recent call for government reform of stamp duty.

Emerson says of this appearance: “I’m delighted to attend this event to share our views as the UK’s leading representative body of property professionals. Given the success of the SDLT holiday, Propertymark are keen that the government reviews the rates and bands to ensure they represent house price growth and affordability. It is not only a barrier to entry to the property market, but also restricts downsizers from releasing much-needed family homes for second steppers.”

And Quirk adds: “This will be the first time that Nathan has aired his organisation’s ideas for stamp duty change to a significant, face to face audience and I’m sure that they will be well received at the show given the relevancy of the audience. SDLT is desperately in need of improvement and greater fairness particularly considering that it was originally introduced in the 17^th century to fund a war on France - I think we’ll agree that such a necessity has probably subsided by now.”  

The show - returning as a face-to-face event tomorrow and Saturday at London’s Excel Centre - is expected to feature over 90 exhibitors from the world of property and property-related services including Bradleys Estate Agents, Hamilton Fraser, CrowdProperty, Knight Knox and the State Bank of India.

Typically, previous shows have seen between 5,000 and 6,000 visitors; it is free but registering prior is recommended. The show will also see over 70 seminars and speaker sessions and these can be accessed here.