Propertymark’s head of finance, Kate Hawkins, has unexpectedly handed in her notice and is quitting after two and a half years in the role, leaving yet more questions unanswered about what is going on at the organisation.
Propertymark announced last night that Hawkins, who is currently working her notice period, is leaving to “seek other opportunities”.
Hawkins’ departure from Propertymark comes just a few weeks after CEO Tom Balcon quit. It transpires that she handed in her notice two weeks ago, shortly after Balcon left. NAEA president Kirsty Finney also stepped down from her role last month.
Nathan Emerson, interim CEO, commented “We are very sad to see Kate go but understand she is ready for her next challenge.
“She has been a really valuable member of the senior management team at Propertymark and will be much missed by her colleagues. She has streamlined lots of our processes and leaves behind a strong team.”
Propertymark has also confirmed that Helen Herniman has resigned from her position as a non-executive director of Propertymark.
The statement from Propertymark issued last night said: “The board would like to thank her for her contribution and wish her all the best for the future.
“She leaves as her term is coming to an end and as Propertymark starts the search process for two new non-executive directors.
“The new NEDs will join the board replacing both Helen [Herniman] and Nicky Heathcote, who has taken on the role of interim executive chair, and will take forward the Propertymark strategy ensuring members are at the heart of what it does.”
The statement added: “We are interested in people from all different backgrounds to fill these important roles. The recruitment process will take place via the NedonBoard platform shortly, with the aim to have both in post by June 2021.”
Comments (8)
This is the real shake up the Association needs. It was an excellent organisation for decades. Bring back genuine member participation at Board and LOCAL level and it will be back on its feet again. But do it now or it will be too late.
Propertymark is totally irrelevant
The general public have never heard of it and could not care less
“will take forward the Propertymark strategy ensuring members are at the heart of what it does.”
If they had always kept members at the heart of what they do they would not now be up this creek without a paddle – and with the sound of the waterfall becoming ever louder.
The RICS sacked 4 NED’s for allegedly ‘passive aggressive’ behaviour and this was as a result of the four NED’s asking for an auditors’ report. The Sunday Times reported the matter over several weeks and the spoon is still stirring with a U turn by the CEO and President.
This means that in the last 10 months;- the Chair has left, David Cox has left, Mark Hayward has left, a new CEO Tim Balcon was appointed and left in five months, an interim CEO Nathan Emerson is in place, Kirsty Finney left six months into her role, Kate Hawkins and now Helen Herniman has gone, and Mark Hayward has returned with a new title.
Do members feel that this organisation is fit for purpose?
In its annual accounts 2019, it states. ‘The Finance department has undergone a major review of its processes, systems and procedures. As part of gaining that financial stability we have identified that our tax position was not properly ordered and that has led to a significant payment to HM Revenue and Customs of outstanding VAT which has arisen through mis-definition of our liabilities and exemptions over a number of years.’
It is hard to see how Properymark can present itself as an organisation that helps agents ‘regulate’ themselves, teaches agents to be financially competent, and be the choice for ‘government’ as the driving force for any changes in statutes.
VAT fraud can mean a custodial sentence, fine and often directors are struck off; as well as HMRC in the future taking a particular interest in companies who ‘forgot to pay the VAT’. Who was at the helm, who knew, how much was underpaid, was there a fine? Surely members are entitled to know the truth.
Sorry to disagree but it is very easy to see how Propertymark can become an organisation agents want to join and with within a trading year could be back to being a professional trade body.
Your forgetting the rather unfortunate series of events surrounding the employment tribunal of “Miss Jones” last year…
https://propertyindustryeye.com/former-employee-takes-propertymark-to-employment-tribunal/
The comments section is eye opening and particularly relevant when you consider what her role was and why she blew the whistle.
PM is rotten to its core and needs urgent and drastic reform, not just a new mission statement with gobbledygook language talking about “pillars”… whoever does their coms needs a rather urgent performance review.
This should be interesting. Any incoming NED will have to ask about the exodus of senior management.
Oscar Wilde springs to mind, to lose one director is unfortunate……