Propertymark reveals its new chief – Tim Balcon
After several months of revolving doors including the departure of David Cox and Chris Hamer, the trade association has appointed a non-property figure to be its CEO.
Propertymark has revealed its first overall CEO – Tim Balcon – who until recently led the Institute of Environmental Management & Assessment.
Balcon has been picked for his 20-year track record in turning around organisations like Propertymark and growing membership – not for any history in the property market. As we reported in July, the recruitment spec for the job excluded any mention of property industry experience.
Balcon has previously worked at exams regulator Ofqual as well as an energy industry skills organisation and a vocational training advisory committee.
“Housing is arguably the most important portfolio within the economic playbook and I look forward to bringing my experience of regulation, Government oversight and educational strategy along with my experience inside a number of different membership bodies, to bear on the next stage of the business’s development,” he says.
Controversial departures
Balcon’s arrival follows the controversial departure of ARLA chief David Cox and the announcement that Mark Hayward, NAEA Chief Executive, is to retire.
Also, earlier this month Propertymark’s chairman Chris Hamer abruptly resigned, which Propertymark says was his decision.
It has also been confirmed that Nicky Heathcote, Senior Independent Director of Propertymark is to be its Interim Chair following Chris Hamer exit.
Nicky has been a Non-Executive Director at Propertymark for two years and has over 30 years’ experience in the property sector and sits on numerous industry and government advisor boards.
Nicky Heathcote says: “On behalf of the Board I warmly welcome Tim to Propertymark. We are delighted to have found someone of Tim’s calibre, he brings substantial understanding of professional membership bodies and his leadership qualities will be invaluable as Propertymark navigates a changing sector and forthcoming legislation on behalf of our members.”
Balcon adds: “I am thrilled to join Propertymark at such a pivotal juncture. “I welcome the opportunity to work closely with members over the coming months to ensure that we continue to serve them and represent their interests, enforcing high standards and playing our part in shaping housing policy.”
I wish Mr Balcon well with his new position, and his background in growing memberships is an obvious advantage, at least for Propertymark. My worries are though, that the rank and file membership who need guidance with how the property industry is moving, especially the role of technology, may get limited help in this vertical.
Growing membership is one thing, running training courses and charging for them another, charging annual subscriptions for membership another, but actually helping property professionals on the front line make sense of a quickly changing commercial world is another. Where the reach of technology doubles each year, and is not a linear progression, which is why so many other industries have seen great established businesses wiped out very quickly as they failed to adapt.
Right, so this is really is all about aligning themselves ready for ROPA. Stuff the members, and their need for someone who has a decent property background 🙁