safeagent, the UK’s largest not-for-profit accreditation scheme for lettings and management agents, has appointed John Midgley as chair of its board of directors.

Midgley has been on the board since 2014 and replaces outgoing chair Sheila Drew Smith, who has retired.

He retired from Touchstone in 2017, a company he joined in 1996 before – with colleagues – acquiring the business and becoming managing director, growing the business from 19 to 300 staff and in the process becoming the country’s largest PRS property manager.

Isobel Thomson, chief executive of safeagent, says: “John takes over at a pivotal time for safeagents and the private rental sector with the Renters Reform Bill and now short-term lets legislation potentially coming onto statute books. He is committed to ensuring that all involved in the rental process – tenants, landlords and agents – work together for the benefit of all.”

And Midgley himself adds: “I welcome the opportunity to lead the board in making sure that safeagent continues to focus on promoting the provision of excellent and ethical services across our industry and providing innovative and practical services to support those who operate with care and professionalism on the front line.” 

safeagent describes itself as the only agent organisation whose sole focus is consumer protection, operating across the UK on a not-for-profit basis.

safeagent also operates a government-approved Client Money Protection Scheme.