Ian Potter has announced his retirement from ARLA. He will step down as managing director next June and a search for his successor is already under way.
Recruitment specialists Property Personnel, run by Anthony Hesse, have been hired to find a replacement for Potter, a Fellow of ARLA, who will retire on June 13.
The role, said ARLA, will be predominantly “outward-facing, with the responsibility for liaising externally with ARLA stakeholders and its extensive membership across the UK”.
It said the new managing director will be responsible for increasing membership and acting as ARLA’s main spokesperson, and will also be the principal representative for interactions with government and other industry organisations.
Potter’s retirement follows seven years with ARLA, for most of which he was operations director. During his time with ARLA, the organisation controversially merged with the NAEA for the creation of NFoPP.
Potter was promoted to managing director of ARLA last year following the departure in March 2012 of Peter Bolton King, who was chief executive of NFoPP and all the organisations within it.
Potter was previously with Countrywide Residential Lettings in Scotland, and had been the original chairman of the Scottish regional branch in 1992 before joining the ARLA national council.
Before entering the lettings industry he was a bank manager for TSB, also in Scotland, over a 21-year period.
Mark Hayward, managing director of the NAEA, said: “Ian has been a credit to ARLA during his time with the organisation.
“I know he is held within the highest regard among those in the lettings industry and beyond. He is a true expert in his field and has campaigned tirelessly for much-needed Government regulation of the sector.
“As managing director, he has run ARLA’s internal affairs in exemplary fashion, while still finding time to regularly comment on industry matters in the media, as well as positively informing government policy.
“I must personally thank him for leaving the organisation in fantastic shape, with membership growing, and we must now look forward to finding a suitable successor.”
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Comments
I worked in insurance for many years and dealt with PI insurance.
It will be interesting to see what happens with these new CMP schemes - just because someone has a policy, doesn't mean it will get paid out. I am concerned that TPOS is becoming commercial and how will it reflect on them if a claim fails?
Mass insurance without proper checks is very very worrying and entirely different
Please let it be Toogood
Most landlords and tenants have never heard of ARLA or whyat they stand for which sums up the success of the board and Ian Potter
CMP not widely available? how ironic that a firm advertising now cut price CMP is appearing alongside your post. Advertising the fact that no trade membership is required. The very fact that a propietor even contemplates the need for CMP suggests they are unfit to look after other people's money. CMP sounds great but is not something that should be bought by the person it is covering.
As a SAFE agent I reply with - Actually - CMP is not widely available at present. The only harm done to ARLA was of ARLA's making for being too elitist and creating the incredibly stupid License scheme where an ARLA logo could appear on the business card of someone who had no CMP or PII
No person nor London gang should be able to harm ARLA - they harmed themselves by being such muppets. If Safe was so bad, why did govt embrace it? TPOS too? Plus many others incl. OFT, TSI, CAB, etc.
ARLA need to move into the real world - they have been going for decades - SAFE achieved more in a year,
The one that has been mentioned did a fair amount of harm to ARLA. 3 years on how has anything improved? It hasn't. In fact with redress and CMP available to any Joe and Mustafa Blow as a direct result of SAFE things is a whole heap worse.
I hardly think another London Cronies Club is what is needed.
My prediction is that they will trawl for a replacement then Mark Hayward will announce he will take over ARLA as well.
I tried to say hello to Mr Hayward as a member of ARLA & NAEA at an industry function last year - he couldn't be bothered to speak to me and I was made to feel quite awkward. Ian Potter always had time for a few words as did PBK.
Good luck Ian - I doubt they will find anyone with your commitment.
Seems a bit early - like 8 months early to be offering good luck wishes - but hey - good luck Ian. You did a good job in an archaic stuffy world of ARLA.
It needs modernising. Tim Hyatt did a good job as president, but it seems to have stalled. It needs a some charisma and someone who is an industry heavyweight. There aren't many I can think of - perhaps 2 or 3, and one has been mentioned already - David orton Gibson isn't one of them
Michael Day from Integra would be really good. So would Industry Observer - he seems to have some good ideas in his own mind at least - whoever he is :)
The fact is, all the best people already have good jobs - so unless the ARLA job is bigger, it will always attract lesser candidates.
Ian Potter has done a good job. I met him at a few industry events and he is a nice chap too - very personable.
Yes it needs a big name to fill the role - but unless they are going to pay big money, who would take it?
Its all well and good offering criteria for a replacement - but they are either earning shed loads more than ARLA will offer, are currently unemployed, or have already retired.
If ARLA believes its at the forefront of professionalism, they will need to employ someone at that level which wont come cheaply.
I agree with many comments below. Ian is a damned hard worker and I admire his tenacity and passion.
Going forward, ARLA needs someone who can really make a difference and rally the troops whilst not being afraid to go into battle. It really needs to be a front line agent not a pen pusher. NFoPP has enough faceless people - give agents an agent they know will help them and wont be frightened to rock the boat. Someone needs to take the industry by the proverbials and get ARLA to take the lead. I left NFoPP as it was becoming anemic. Get some teeth and you may get members back again.
Ian Potter is a tireless supporter of industry and fought hard for members. ARLA has many failings, however it did manage to add an air of professionalism to a maligned industry.
I believe they should have embraced SAFE and the combined message to the consumer and lobbying would have been magnified. Apart from Property Live and Licensing, Ian has done a super job.
It will be difficult to find someone who can meet the challenges ahead. As said, it will need to be a big name with a big voice who can open doors and provide some joined up thinking.
Good luck when you finally retire Ian.
Good luck to Ian Potter. His service will be missed.
Heavens knows who will replace him - but it has to be a 'Name' with some serious gravitas, not a backroom boy. I too hope the board chose someone from industry, not admin.
Either that, or remember Mark Prisk is looking for a job....
Another Potter leaves the limelight. Good luck to both Ian and Harry.
I am sad to see Ian go. He was a tenacious advocate of his members and a supporter of consumer rights and best practice. He will be a tough act to follow, however if change is inevitable, it needs to be a positive one - not a like for like replacement.
I would like to see someone who will become an overt lobbyist and get the ARLA name out there more in the way SAFEagent managed so quickly. I would like to see someone from within the industry, not someone who has represented a different regulator, association or scheme.
I really think members would like someone who has worked in the industry and proven that they understand the challenges we face.
Anyway - best of luck to Mr Potter.
Best of luck Ian - I didn't always agree, but no one doubts the hard work you put in,.
Not sure EW would be a good idea - I suspect some members would be happy, the Board wouldn't ;)
ARLA definitely needs to have someone with a big personality and who will stand up and be counted and respected by members.
That said - good luck Ian. Respect is due for your commitment and tireless hard work.
I would like to "nominate" Eric Walker for the post.
Also, best wishes to Ian. Apart from the PropertyLive fiasco (others must share the blame for that too), I think he did well and worked damn hard for us all. Thank you Ian.
A tad premature, but I wish Ian all the very best. We may not always agree, but I admire his passion, determination and commitment.
David d'orton Gibson?