Home » News » Sporle: Why I am stepping down from The Property Ombudsman
Regulation & Law

Sporle: Why I am stepping down from The Property Ombudsman

Katrine Sporle talks to The Negotiator about the reasons she is leaving the redress scheme and her hopes for the the new Ombudsman who takes her place.

Sheila Manchester

property ombudsman

The Chief Executive of The Property Ombudsman, Katrine Sporle, has announced that she will leave the role in November 2020.

Katrine has told The Negotiator that she will miss her role, saying, “I have been so fortunate to be able to help shape The Property Ombudsman (TPO) and make sure it is facing the right direction for the future. I could have extended for a couple more years but I felt it was better to have someone appointed from November 2020 who will be here until 2029.

“This is such an important, full on job that you have to give it total commitment – and be on your toes for the ever changing, dynamic environment that is the sector.

“I am certain that TPO does a good job in putting right the honest mistakes that agents make – and I am a huge advocate of Lord Best’s RoPA recommendations, and hope they might be extended to the new homes sector as well.  That’s what I hope we will get from a new Ombudsman – a place at the table for making progress from an evidence base of what can go wrong if no-one is looking.”

There is also another reason, for her departure…“And, I’m now a Grandmother! Baby Benedict is eight weeks old and I want to do my bit to support and nurture!”

The job

This is no role for those seeking an easy life. The Salisbury offices of TPO employs 80 staff members to manage enquiries and resolve complaints. In 2018, 29,023 enquiries and 4246 complaints were received, and over £2 million was paid to consumers in awards. 97% of awards were paid, 92% of complex cases resolved within three months by year end and 100% of local resolutions were processed within 10 days.

Read more about Katrine’s time at TPO.

Fancy applying? Read more about the role here.

 

January 14, 2020

One comment

  1. Katrine Sporle has carried out her duties well, and my hope is that the next baton taker has a really good grip of the dynamics of the property industry. I fully understand the the TPO has a really important position – to offer redress and not regulation. But, I am a little surprised that no-one who has or is currently employed within the industry within the last five years is allowed to apply for the position.

    I think that some of the great and the good within the industry would add a lot to the role, I am aware that several committees feed into the TPO, but, it is often the engine driver who can make all the difference, and if they have been driving an engine and have key knowledge that often helps.

What's your opinion?

Please note: This is a site for professional discussion. Comments will carry your full name and company.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.