David Cox’s departure as chief executive of ARLA Propertymark last Friday was well signposted, particularly when he was advised he could not apply to become CEO of the ‘unified’ Propertymark combining the lettings agent division with the NAEA.

Cox’s departure has prompted many agents to say he was less ‘formal’ than many other industry leaders, and very knowledgable of the sector given his previous experience at the National Landlords Association.

One comment on Letting Agent Today described his departure as “madness”; another called him “one of the leading voices for the sector … willing to speak up when others don’t”; yet another wrote “I found him to be measured and knowledgeable and not the least surprised when he was appointed CEO…He was a good fit.”

A few weeks ago – by coincidence, and without knowing Cox was shortly to part company with Propertymark – Letting Agent Today asked Cox himself to outline his achievements during his six years at the organisation. 

This is not Cox showing off about his achievements, but responding to our questions: here are the 13 aspects of which he was most proud.

– membership up 50 per cent;

– doubling of attendance at courses and events;

– the growth of the ARLA conference into the largest in the agency industry;

– annual increases in agents taking ARLA qualifications;

– a range of commercial and training opportunities for agents through the Industry Supplier Scheme; 

– a free legal helpline which receives up to 25,000 call per year;

– regularly updated AST tenancy documents integrated into all major CRMs;

– a wider range of information channels to members, including Property Professional magazine, fortnightly e-newsletters, individual up-to-the-minute new alerts, local updates such as licensing scheme, social media, website articles, press releases and comments, video blogs and webinars;

– a part in the rebranding to Propertymark, with brand awareness amongst the general public increasing to 25 per cent in its first three years;

– an increased mainstream media profile for ARLA Propertymark and the lettings agency industry;

– greater interaction with the government and the various industry reforms being planned by the Department of Housing, Communities and Local Government;

– assisting the industry through the Coronavirus lockdown, including getting agents’ commissions payments included in the furlough scheme, getting estate agents covered by the business rates reduction, securing concessions on local authority licensing schemes, and providing guidance to agents;

– finally, as of May 2020, ARLA Propertymark members now manage almost half of all private rented properties in the UK, including properties self-managed by the landlord.