Warm tributes are being paid to Peter Light, a past president of the National Association of Estate Agents, who died at the weekend.
An immensely popular, kind and respected figure, he was held in huge esteem.
It is understood he died very soon after being diagnosed with advanced lung cancer.
He was principal of his own firm, Derek Light & Co, in Sunbury-on-Thames, Middlesex, a firm founded in the Sixties, the same decade when he joined the NAEA.
He became President of the NAEA in 1982 and continued to be closely involved long after his term of office ended.
At the time of his death he was a member of its tribunal team dealing in disciplinary matters, a member of the College of Fellows, and a trustee of the Arbon Trust charity.
Estate agent and long-time NAEA colleague Richard Hair said he learned of his friend’s death with considerable sadness.
He said: “Peter was a quiet inspiration to us and we will miss him.
“I for one will always remember his participation in NAEA meetings with his uncanny ability to think outside of the box when making his often very useful contribution. He will be sadly missed.
Chris Brown, himself a former President of the NAEA, said: “The NAEA has produced many outstanding personalities over the past 50 plus years, but very few will have enjoyed the status of Peter Light, one of our past presidents. Those of us who knew him well and witnessed his approach to our business matters will find it impossible to look down a table at Arbon House without seeing his grey hair, blue suit and pile of minutes – ready for action – he was a constant.
“For me Peter was one of the only people who could explain to me that I was wrong, making a misjudgement or just looking at things incorrectly without ever upsetting me or even seeming to be telling me, his wisdom was above those things and that wisdom became his stamp, for which I remain grateful.
“Latterly we worked together to change the NFoPP Benevolent Fund into the Arbon Trust Charity, once again his approach was invaluable.
“The NAEA has lost a giant of a man, NFoPP a wise councillor and the College of Fellows a great, great friend.”
Ian Potter, chairman of the College of Fellows, described Peter Light as a ‘true gentleman’.
He said: “He will sadly missed by Hilary, his wife, and his family, as well as by those of us who have benefited from his friendship and wise counsel.”
Comments (11)
Peter was an old school gentleman agent, he was a very knowledgeable property professional and a wonderful advocate and ambassador to the NAEA for nearly 50 years. I joined the NAEA in 1985 in the Middlesex Branch where Peter had a number of his offices, the firm he founded Derek Light was not only well known but very well respected. Derek was Peter’s middle name, he choose Derek Light as he was only in his early 20’s when he founded the firm and he thought it sounded more established.
The NAEA is a poorer organisation with the loss of Peter, he always enjoyed debating the property topics of the day and always with a glint in his eye when he raised a more difficult point!
Not only a missed estate agent and friend but we also offer deepest condolences to Hillary and their 3 children, Darren, Corinne and Alex and four young grandchildren.
It was Peter who inducted me into the NAEA.
I think I was 22 – and remember him being slightly scary!
Of course, over the years I saw the other side of Peter – sociable, wise and always generous with his time.
We will all miss him, and particularly his impeccable corrections to minutes of NAEA meetings!
Really sad news. As others have said Peter was a true gentleman and I cannot begin to count the number of times, when I was a CEO at NAEA, that I sought out and benefited from his wisdom. The industry has lost a real professional.
Such sad news, the world (and the Associations) have lost a true gentleman.
Aidan
Peter was an ardent supporter of high professional standards in the industry and a pleasure to work with. His experience was invaluable to the NAEA and clients alike and his advice to me was of great help at a time when I had just set up on my own and the recession had hit. Peter was a wonderful business colleague and a friend and will be missed by all who knew him. Any other business will never be the same.
Never had what seemingly would have been the absolute pleasure of meeting the gentleman – but saddened by the news that such an advocate and Ambassador of good Estate Agency has left us.
Condolences to his family and no doubt countless friends and associates.
Deeply saddened to hear this news.
Peter was a true gentleman and a huge wealth of experience and knowledge to tap into.
He was never shy of sharing his opinion and I always loved chatting to him.
I first met him in 1988 when he interviewed me when joining the association. Even after an interview, I came away from the experience wiser and with more knowledge than I went in with.
He will be sadly missed by everyone who knew him. My condolences to his wife and family.
Didn’t know him very well, other than to say, a very intelligent chap that would summarise a complex discussion and make a final recommendation/proposal that would always help meetings run smoother.
Profoundly saddened by this news. Peter was a voice of reasoned calm and a very kind and charming gentleman. Time in his company was always time well spent.
My condolences to his wife and family.
Peter was a wonderfully kind, intelligent, considerate gentleman with a lovely gentle (and occasionally mischievous) sense of humour. We shared many laughs and many hours of discussion on how estate agency could be improved for the benefit of consumers and law-abiding agents alike during our shared time at the NAEA and NFoPP. He is a great loss to estate agency, his family and those of us who were lucky enough to have been lucky enough to know him or call him ‘friend’.
I would like to echo Chris’s sentiments, I had the priviledge of spending time with Peter during my time with NAEA Homelink, Peter was a real gentleman whose quite wise counsel was always valuable.
Peter will be sadly missed