NFoPP – which trades as Propertymark – yesterday acted to head off disquiet among members of Propertymark NAEA and ARLA after the notice for the AGM was sent out on Friday.
Propertymark NAEA chief executive Mark Hayward totally rejected suggestions that there has been a lack of democracy.
Yesterday afternoon, speaking from Washington where he is on business representing the organisation, he told EYE: “This IS democracy.”
He said that “if members don’t like it, they can vote against it”.
Friday’s notice has raised two issues: inviting votes for electing vice-presidents, plus a special resolution – changes to the memorandum and articles, to be voted on at the AGM.
A member of Propertymark NAEA, Chris Wood, who had applied for a vice-presidency role, is not listed among the candidates, while the special resolution contains:
- proposals for reducing the size of the board from next year (2018) onwards – down from 12 to eight, plus chairman;
- apparently preventing the NAEA and ARLA presidents from participating at board meetings from next year onwards;
- and seeking approval for the election of an executive chairman.
The notice about the AGM contains a message from Christopher Hamer – explaining that a smaller board “can concentrate more effectively on strategy” – signing himself as executive chairman.
However, while there was no publicity at the time, EYE was yesterday told that Hamer has been executive chairman since last year, and that the board appointment was already covered by existing memorandum and articles. Hamer initially became an adviser to the NAEA and RLA when he stepped down from being property ombudsman at the end of 2015 – an appointment which was publicised.
Friday’s AGM notice inviting elections for vice-presidents was also sent out on the same day that Wood was told that his application to be a vice-president had failed. Wood attended an interview with a panel three weeks ago.
The letter telling Wood his application would go no further was signed by Hamer.
It means that Wood’s ‘candidate statement’ has not been put before the members, and cannot be voted on.
The special resolution that members are being invited to vote on contains a series of proposals.
The new board would, as from June next year, be reduced in size.
The resolution states: “With effect from the conclusion of the Annual General Meeting in 2018, the President of the Estate Agents’ Division and the President of the Residential Lettings’ Division shall be entitled to attend meetings of the Board but shall not be entitled to vote nor to speak unless invited to do so by the chairman of the meeting.”
One long-standing member said of this proposal: “I find this utterly disgraceful in the light of them being asked to attend meetings and then expected to speak about Propertymark and government issues of the day. It is like sending them out to meetings with their hands tied and them gagged.”
He told EYE: “Many members are expressing considerable concern about the AGM proposals for change. There appears to have been no consultation with the membership.”
Another member told us: “Feelings are running high over removing the Presidents’ right to speak or vote at board meetings.”
A third member, Richard Hair, a former NAEA president, told us: “I am very surprised and disappointed that NFoPP has decided not to allow its members a full democratic voice when choosing our new vice-presidents.
“I also find it disappointing that, on the same day, we see that the NAEA is unilaterally proposing significant changes to its members’ abilities to influence the running of their associations.”
Wood said: “It has always been the case that the members of the Association had the opportunity to decide who would or would not become their next president in an open and transparent process.
“This year we do not know who, or even how many, have been nominated and quietly rejected by an anonymous panel, or for what reasons.
“Nor are members privy to how many of those who made it through that clandestine process were subsequently interviewed, rejected or the reasons for those rejections.
“I’m very happy to stand and accept the verdict of my peers in a transparent and fair process. However, denying the members the opportunity to reject or endorse one or more candidates based on a secret clique’s whim is not democracy.”
Yesterday afternoon, Propertymark NAEA boss Hayward said that last year’s appointment of Hamer to the role of executive chairman was something that the board was fully entitled to do. He said that because the special resolution was effectively a re-drafting of a complete section of the association’s memorandum, it contained elements that were already there.
He said of the reduction of the size of the board, that this was in line with the Nolan Committee’s recommendation for governance, as a result of which NFoPP had engaged management consultants. They too had recommended reducing the size of the board.
While the special resolution specifically states that the Presidents of both NAEA and ARLA will not be entitled to participate or vote, Hayward said that this was “legalese”, reflecting that the Presidents “won’t actually be directors”. He emphasised that they would be able to speak at the invitation of the chairman.
On the matter of Chris Wood’s application to be a vice-president, Hayward would not be drawn.
He told EYE: “This is between the organisation and the individual. We will engage with Mr Wood, but it is not a public matter.”
Responding to claims that NFoPP had been undemocratic, Hayward said: “This is a democratic process and if people don’t like it, they can vote against it.”
The candidates for ARLA vice-president are: Peter Savage, Michelle Niziol, David Votta and Ross Jezzard. For NAEA vice-president, they are Lauren Scott and Jonathan Hudson.
Voting closes on June 14, and the AGM is on June 16.
It wouldn’t possibly be that Chris is the one person that has stood up against the misleading and belittling propaganda of other members by PB would it?
No-one else in the organisation seems willing to speak out against the damage done to it by one member very publicly ridiculing the businesses of its other members.
This decision not to let the membership openly vote on Chris’s vice presidency candidateship just stinks.
Democracy my foot, more like hypocrisy!!!!!
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Yes. Members can vote, I suggest they vote with their feet.
It reminds me of the time when the NAEA was in favour of home information pack despite the opposition of its members.
That’s when I left.
Chris Woods is an excellent advocate for honesty and customer service. His commitment to travel to Warwick so regularly from Cornwall was impressive. I think the members should be able to vote on his application.
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Chris Wood is a regular poster on this site. Could he please enlighten us as to the grounds on which he has been rejected as a candidate for VP?
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The whole letter is one side of A4 however, the two key reasons appear to be that I have only recently rejoined and, that whilst I have not made any comments against the NAEA/ Propertymark my history of speaking my mind publicly may mean I might say something against the official executive line.
PIE and Richard Hair, the person who nominated me for the position, have seen a copy of the full letter.
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So, exactly as we suspected then. They don’t like the way you might stand up for ordinary small members against the ‘ruling powers’ that they regard themselves as.
Start up a new organisation that doesn’t have a core rotting from the inside. I’ll back you Chris, and I am sure plenty of other agents will as well!
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As an ex-Member who has recently made enquiries about re-joining, this article has helped me to come to an informed decision over my future with the NAEA.
It’s a resounding, democratic NO!
Don’t get me wrong – plentiful past coverage of the NAEAs headless chicken style approach to anything and everything that is wrong with the industry had pretty much killed off the idea in the first place.
This is just the bale of straw that breaks the camel’s back for me.
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As an Arla member of some years standing i left last year as the hipocracy and the cartel like ways that Nfopp operate left me with a very nasty taste , their mandate was do it our way or no way i havent seen them do anything for the industry of any not and as has been said above a jolly boys/ girls club not for me anymore.
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Change the name, change the font, change the tag line.
NAEA is still the same. It’s a club for people that want to feel important and it’s there for profit not the industry.
Despite a “Democratic” vote if someone comes along to threaten the status quo it is not allowed.
It is a waste of time and money. If agents were not egotistical and wanted letters after their name it would vanish over night.
As you can tell I am no longer an NAEA member so would not have a vote.
BUT I do know some well respected agents who are members and they had expressed interest in backing Chris. It’s a shame they cannot back the member they want. Few more memberships lapsing?
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In August 2014 there was outcry in Hong Kong when China’s top legislative committee ruled that voters would only be able to choose from a list of two or three candidates selected by a nominating committee.
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Strange things are afoot at ArghLa too; a previous (and currently unemployed in lettings!) president coming back for more and a VP stepping down….
The “jobs for the boys” rumours, sadly, never looked truer.
Its all good though, I am sure NF(l)oPP will reduce membership fees to help members in light of the forthcoming tenants fee ban.
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Surely if enough of you form a quorum then you can call for an EGM and then call for a vote of change or no confidence because having a smaller committee only means he has the “yes people” or “his team” in place so all goes the way he wants it.
by the way is it naea or the collective that is paying for the Washington trip! And in future those ex members won’t be able to speak up about expenditure of their members contributions, unless of course invited to speak, doubt that then.
this is leadership now becoming a dictatorship or estate agencies naea (toothless but still sad to see) about to implode,
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So let’s be totally clear about this.
The NAEA is perfectly happy for one of its own members to publicly ridicule the rest of its membership, but they don’t like the idea of someone who speaks out against that being on their board!
They surely cannot be serious! It’s about time a spokesperson from their organisation came on PIE and defended their stance. Problem is, as far as I can see, it is totally indefensible.
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This is not democracy, it is nothing more than an existing board making adjustments to maintain THEIR CONTROL. An organisation which year on year has failed the membership. Allowing non-elected officials and smaller numbers in decision making is the road to dictatorship.
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To my mind there have been five major challenges to the integrity of our industry over the last year;
1). Portal juggling.
2). The portals including OTM and the one other portal rule.
3). Misleading advertising and marketing propaganda from the online listers.
4). Fees and Commission.
5). Standards and rules.
Where has Chris been on the majority of these issues……at the forefront, and not without personal risk .
Where have the NAEA and NFoPP been…..in the private function room of the ‘Old Boys Club’, cosying up to their new found incom generating friends and slapping each other on the back about their ability to maintain their privileged positions in the status quo!
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The approved response to numbers 1), 3), 4), and 5), of your list AgentV, is of course:
‘The NAEA will not condone (insert the relevant issue). We just won’t do anyting about it, either.’
Number 2) is, however, a completely different, bigger and entirely more hypocritically embarrassing can of worms…
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Yesterday afternoon, speaking from Washington where he is on business representing the organisation, he told EYE: “This IS democracy.”
Good lord. Isn’t there a saying about “looking after your own first”? I am glad NFoPP are that confident that every letting and sales agent in the UK are so well represented by them, that the best use of those same members subs is to have a jolly up/fact finding/brand awareness mission (delete as applicable) to Washington. I am sure Mr T had NFoPP at the very top of his mind during his inauguration.
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You couldn’t make it up could you?
‘Designated Survivor’, ‘House of cards’……just wait till Netflix get their hands on this story!!!
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Of course, we have to be careful here as it could be Washington, Tyne and Wear!
Nah course it isn’t, wye ai what was I thinking mun.
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How, man, Stevie – as a proud Geordie aa’ve ownly got one thing ter say ter yi by way of recommendation.
PLEEEEEASSSE Dee yersel a fava, an divven’t give up yer day job, bonny lad.
;o)
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I feel I owe Chris a personal apology; When Ben Cade identified an obvious breach of BPR back in 2015 and asked me to look into it Chris Wood was the obvious choice to help me investigate the matter, Chris’s knowledge on compliance issues is second to none (anyone who begs to differ stick your hands up now). Chris, at his own expense [financial, time and business] has lead the vocal charge, social media and press engagement against much of what is wrong in the industry. It is his outspoken fight for right that has embarrassed people who have condoned mal-practice by their complacency and arrogant stubbornness to engage with those highlighting concerns. He should not be penalised for the good he has done!
I have kept my own counsel on number of issues, several of which lead to the protest resignation of my Fellowship several years back, but the dismissive and at times simply rude treatment of members seeking to maintain standards has me wondering if I am alone in having no confidence or respect for Mr Hayward’s leadership of my trade association
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Everyones heard of Chris Wood because he is a doer and I don’t recall him doing anything other than be positive for the industry. Who is Mark Haywood, Lauren Scott and Jonathan Hudson? Think out of the box people!
Have you seen what they charge landlords and tenants!
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It would be wrong to involve Lauren or Jonathon in this, it is important they do not become to innocent victims of a mis- handled situation.
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I’m not sure as they are already members of the board and the resolution must have been passed by the board before putting it to the AGM? This is not intended to be a personal attack but when people want to stand in a position of power they should accept scutiny comes with the job. My point is … who has heard of them in the wider sense and what have they persoanlly achieved? Chris Wood has been a champion for the industry, hence my question or is this going all pear shaped as being jobs for the boys and girls already in power? (Nah couldn’t possibly be). As to my remark on fee’s, well do they set a very good example? e.g. one charges 18% and both charging landlord and tenant, some for the same work, totalling £Hundreds!!!!
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Robert you have only to read the comments over the course of weeks ago or above and below, there is no support for those already in situ however there is plenty of support for Chris and it seems to me if only from points of credibility and support that Chris is a prime candidate for the overall managing/Chairmain of the board post not just a seat on the board.
So who is it that chooses or elects a replacement because one certain shower and his sidekick need deposing and we need to elect a person who has a respected voice and character.
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They shot themselves… not only in the foot… but also in the head I think, as they clearly have not been thinking straight, since they sat back, just took the money and allowed one of their larger members to go out of its way to humiliate and destroy the majority of its smaller members!!!
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Ahhhh…. someone at NAEA Towers finally switched on their PC, it would appear…
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When every single comment says the same thing…
No more needs to be said.
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Chris and Robert do not underestimate the power of self-preservation.
Have all the other paid for independent membership associations?
There are two key points that could allow a new network to draw in the support of the independent sector.
May I boldly suggest a new network called ‘Allied’ ?
£30 membership per month ought to achieve the require results of controlling the portals and outlandish claims of the call centre agents?
Go for it Chris and Robert your wasting your time with the likes of those based in Warwick or London?
Static defenses like castles or head offices are so dated?
We need localized ied’s?
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Humbled at the comments on this article and the offers of support and solidarity I’ve received over the past couple of days from past colleagues, friends and total strangers in the property world. It means a hell of a lot. Thank you.
Chris Wood
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I was thinking about rejoining after a gap of many years but I think any organisation that wouldn’t even let a man of Chris Wood’s standing and integrity be a candidate for election is not worthy of consideration.
Shame on you NFOPP!
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The NAEA are weak and toothless. The public dont care about NAEA agents. The NAEA’s voice is so weak compared to the RICS. The RICS promote more property news and most EAs are not even members. The NAEA should pull up their socks or bail out before they die.
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