The suddenness with which UKA executive Caroline Kenny has quit her role has been underlined by the notice on its own website for the organisation’s AGM.
The AGM is this Thursday. The agenda does not include the need to appoint her successor.
The notice contains no mention of Kenny’s departure, but does refer to the financial support given to UKALA by its owners, the National Landlords Association.
The AGM notice includes a report from Kenny, which is largely upbeat. It describes the “enormous amount of progress” made in the last 12 months in “meeting UKALA’s strategic objectives”.
She says: “Although still a small organisation, we now count amongst our membership more than 400 offices and expect to continue to grow steadily over the coming years. This growth reflects the increasing value of UKALA membership and its ability to support letting agents to develop their respective businesses effectively.”
Her report notes that UKALA membership has doubled since October 2012 and that on average, two new members join every day.
While she refers to UKALA’s ambitions, she also says there are risks to its “bold plans”.
She says: “As the financial statement contained within this report makes abundantly clear, there are significants costs to running a body with such bold plans for the future.
“In order to realise our long-term goals, we are compelled to invest heavily in sound footings for future growth. This investment will not be repaid immediately in financial terms, but I hope that it is clear to every member that the benefits far outweigh the apparent hardships.”
She refers to the “unwavering financial and practical support” given by the NLA, adding: “The management of both organisations is clear about the commitment required to reach UKALA’s potential and has put in place plans to do what must be done.”
In the same AGM notice, UKALA chairman David Salusbury says that UKALA’s road “is marred with more commercial bumps and furrows than I would like … However, I have no doubt that these will be navigated expertly by UKALA’s committed board and staff.”
The resignation of popular Kenny was announced out of the blue last week. She had been in her post little over a year and now plans to work as a consultant in the lettings industry.
http://www.ukala.org.uk/sites/default/files/UKALA%20Annual%20Report%202013_0.pdf
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Comments
Incredibly misleading headline and article.
Firstly, it's an AGM (that means it is held annually). This is different to an EGM (extraordinary general meeting) which would be the case if the implication of the article was true.
Secondly, I received notice of the AGM months ago before Caroline decided to do something else.
I hope the writer of the article has well placed sources (i.e Caroline or someone in UKALA) because from what I can see this is a load of...
If UKALA want to raise their profile, they need a high profile leader shouting from the roof tops. Someone who is an agent with front line experience, not one of an anonymous board.
NAEA made this mistake - its not about capability alone, its about leadership and people taking note.
With ARLA seeking an MD, this will be a problem. There are few who would fit the bill.
Martin & Co were a coup, but its just one franchise gearing up for floatation.
Agents join UKALA as it's a soft option with no requirement to a member if an independent redress scheme.
Their intentions are beyond reproach, however they must meet the same criteria as other 'regulators' rather than offer lesser benchmarks for no other reason than it leaves them open to criticism for organisations who don't take them seriously.
For goodness sake! adding 178 members from Martin and Co was a very large percentage of that growth.
Who was it posted a fairly accurate speculation about this last week? it seems you were on the money!