Propertymark beefs up policy and campaigns team

The policy and campaigns team at Propertymark, headed by Mark Hayward, has been expanded after what it calls “a number of lobbying successes” in recent times.

Hayward - considered to have unparalleled contacts in government - was scheduled to have retired from the organisation at the end of last year but this was put on hold when short-lived chief executive Tim Balcon joined the organisation. 

Under new chief executive Nathan Emerson, Hayward’s role has remained strong, especially on policy issues during the pandemic.

Hayward is regarded as having been the person responsible for persuading the government to include agents’ commission in its calculations of furlough, and for ensuring that business rate relief included agents’ High Street offices. 

A statement from Propertymark says the organisation was also at the heart of decision making over stamp duty holiday deadlines, decisions on the re-opening of the housing market last year, and more recently the Home Office’s reversal of plans for a re-run of Right to Rent checks once Coronavirus restrictions eased.

Now two new policy and campaigns officers have been recruited to work in Hayward’s team. 

Eleanor Bateman comes from the housing association Orbit Group, having previously worked at an agency, and Faye Greaves has worked at the Chartered Institute of Housing and the Centre for Homelessness Impact. 

A statement from Nathan Emerson posted on the Propertymark website says: “This additional resource will propel our member-focused strategy forwards, ensuring that we continue to give our members a voice in all relevant issues with legislators across the UK.

“We are simply listening to members. Expanding the policy and campaigns capacity further with staff of this calibre, alongside our existing policy and campaign expertise, will enable us to deliver more guidance, have an even bigger voice, and achieve more on behalf of members whether in residential or commercial sales, lettings or auctions.”