2024 Sessions review – video and session notes


“The Labour Government has a radical legislative programme planned for the estate agency sector including renting reforms and greater regulation of the industry

“Agents are also dealing with technological change, with new solutions on offer almost every day.

“The 2024 conference sought to offer agents a clear, objective view of these changes and offered expert opinion and guidance to help agents plan their businesses going into 2025.”

The Conference

The event brings together expert keynote speakers and panel sessions in two stunning spaces within Grosvenor House Hotel: The Ballroom, where the main conference is presented and The Great Room, an iconic place in London where you can explore The Negotiator Expo – a dynamic exhibition of suppliers to agency.

The event provides a unique opportunity to meet the speakers, ask questions and network with industry experts and other delegates.

The conference qualifies delegates for continued professional learning, and is CPD certified by the CPD Certification Service and Propertymark for up to 5 hours of credits.

Delegates enjoy five-star gourmet food at every break and a delicious hot buffet, with complimentary wine at lunch, all included with with the delegate pass. It’s for business owners and leaders and offers a day of inspiration, learning and business building all in the most stylish of settings.

 

 

KEYNOTE: “Welcome to the show, now let’s get down to BUSINESS!

Our host and moderator for the day, Ian King, SKY News' lead business presenter and interviewer of the highest echelon of business leaders, opens the conference.

Ian King

KEYNOTE: “The housing market today and where it’s going in 2025.”

Richard Donnell, Executive Director of Zoopla, gives his assessment of the market context for sales and lettings (landlords) and what this means for how agents should operate in 2025.

Richard Donnell

PANEL: “Will Government policy damage the Private Rented Sector?”

The Government is intent on reforming the rental market reshaping the Tories' Renters' Reform Bill into the Renters' Rights Bill. How should agents prepare for this and manage under the new regime? What's going to help and what's going to hurt? Our panel comprises Ben Beadle, CEO National Residential Landlords Association, David Smith, JMW Solicitors and Angharad Trueman, President of ARLA Propertymark and Heidi Shackall, CEO of The Lettings Hub.

Angharad Trueman
Ben Beadle
David Smith, JMW
Heidi Shackell

PANEL: Preparing for 2025, a rollercoaster year for agents

We have drawn together a panel which can offer a top level view of the state of the UK property industry and offer insight into its trajectory in the coming years: Charlotte Harrison, CEO of Home Financing, Skipton Building Society, Nathan Emerson, CEO of Propertymark; Charlie Bryant, CEO of Houseful, parent group of Zoopla, Kevin Shaw, Sales Director of Leaders Romans Group and Brendan Geraghty, CEO of Association of Rental Living.

Brendan Geraghty
Kevin Shaw
Charlie Bryant
Nathan Emerson
Charlotte Harrison

Employment Law update: “Harder for employers, safer for employees.”

With the introduction of the Employment Rights Bill 2024, all business owners – and critically SMEs – need to review their employment practices in recruiting new staff, managing their existing staff and ensuring employees are protected from sexual harassment. Session presented by Anita Rai and Olivia Russo, employment law specialists from JMW Solicitors.

Anita Rai
Olivia Russo

PANEL: “Technology and agency – what’s moving the needle?”

Our panel are all property technologists, innovators and experts, steeped in the automation and digitalisation of everything to do with buying, selling and letting a house. Jon Cooke, Group CEO at nurtur.group, Stephen Geran, Product Director, Zoopla, William Reeve, CEO Goodlord and Simon Whale, CEO Kerfuffle and Kate Faulkner OBE, look at the sectors where ‘proptech’ has transformed the sales or lettings process – and others where it hasn't delivered. And they will examine whether technology – and particularly AI – is threatening or enhancing agents’ jobs.

Simon Whale
Jon Cooke
Kate Faulkner OBE
Stephen Geran
William Reeve

KEYNOTE: Kevin Hollinrake MP

Kevin Hollinrake MP is the Shadow Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities. He started Hunters Estate Agents in 1992, co-founding the business with John Waterhouse, and it is now one of the most successful and fastest-growing estate agencies in the UK. Hunters have over 200 branches nationwide including 30 in Greater London with gross turnover in excess of £40m and approximately 1000 people employed throughout the network.

Kevin Hollinrake MP

“What is really happening in the Mergers and Acquisitions market?”

Hardly a day goes by without another announcement about the sale of a letting agency. Adam Walker offers an insider's view of what's driving these business takeovers and offers advice should the knock come on your door.

Adam Walker

“How to build value into your business and what ‘award-winning’ really means.”

Ben Gee, Founder of agency Hat and Home became multi-award-winning almost immediately. In this presentation, Ben will give agents an insight into the power of good branding and how it can deliver revenue.

Ben Gee