Flat Living recently had the pleasure of meeting with new IRPM CEO Andrew Bulmer, only in his third week of his new role Andrew speaks with passion and dedication about continuing to raise standards within the property management industry.
Andrew started the conversation by first confirming that Janie Strange and Jeff Platt are not stepping away from IRPM immediately, having built such a tremendous legacy. It is currently estimated that over half of leasehold homes are being managed by IRPM Member Professionals, and it is no coincidence that the standard of management services has improved during their time.
You previously ran your own block management business for 16 years, what interested you in the property management sector initially?
Like most in the industry, I fell into it by accident. Having been a General Practice Chartered Surveyor in residential agency, surveys and valuations, and then commercial GP work. I then started my own management practice, growing it to 22 staff before selling it in 2011.
Following the sale of my business I became more involved in RICS on a voluntary basis, trying to improve the institution’s relevance to the sector and membership offering. In 2013 I was offered the role of UK Residential Director and joined the staff team.
You spent three years at RICS, what was your proudest achievement?
Delivering the PRS Code of Practice on behalf of DCLG in 6 months flat, a record time, and bringing together 17 different stakeholder groups. This demonstrated that property professionals across the sector can work together to deliver better outcomes. Professionals generally know what good looks like, and can and do, work together to deliver better outcomes for consumers.
The second was overseeing the delivery of the RICS Service Charge (Residential) Management Code 3rd Edition, which sets new standards for leasehold property management. Ironically, it was a great opportunity to work with Janie (Strange) and Jeff (Platt); Janie was the lead author for the code.
So far as my kids are concerned, sitting with Holly Willoughby on the One Show couch, talking house prices!
What attracted you to the IRPM?
The IRPM are the lead provider of qualifications in the leasehold sector. This was as a result of the industry calling for much needed qualifications some years ago. The same thing is now happening in the Build to Rent sector.
It is those two things, plus the reputation of IRPM not just as a professional body but also a friendly, ethical organisation putting the consumer’s interests first, that attracted me to take this role.
Tell us more about the new Build-to-Rent qualification and also IRPM apprenticeships
Industry and government called on IRPM to deliver relevant qualifications to this new and incredibly important sector, which is the focus of government housing policy. It is essential that the new Build to Rent stock is professionally managed to a high standard and IRPM are now delivering the qualification that will help to make this happen.
Another exciting development is the realisation of the Housing and Property Management Level 3 Apprenticeship. Once again, the industry recognised that there was a gap in the residential property management sector for an apprenticeship scheme and with the governments support for apprenticeships, IRPM joined with other leading stake holder bodies, to deliver this route to a career. The first candidates will be starting in the New Year.
What does your day to day role involve?
At the moment I’m still learning the structures of IRPM with a view to three main themes:
1. Further improve and maintain the relevance of our industry-leading leasehold training and qualifications.
2. To deliver the new Build to Rent qualifications.
3. Managing change in a professional body enjoying double digit percentage membership growth year on year – a nice problem to have!
What keeps you motivated and enthusiastic?
Being part of a growing and agile organisation that is raising standards and delivering better outcomes for the 4.2 million plus leaseholders and is poised to do the same for the Build to Rent / PRS.
Andrew adds, I know that sounds a bit “corporate line” but it is the truth.
What’s the most important lesson you’ve learned in your career?
Shut up and listen.
Who in the industry has inspired you the most?
My old boss Bob Walker who, back in 1984, on my first day at work, told me we are in a people business as well as a property business. Hold on to that thought! More recently, it has to be Janie and Jeff, because the industry was calling out for a qualification which, with other founders, they delivered from scratch, resulting in a professional body with nearly 4,000 members. The reason that is inspirational is that the majority of leaseholders in the country now live in homes that are better managed and better places to be than they were just a few years ago. That is making a difference to peoples’ lives and is a very impressive legacy!
What ambition would you still like to fulfil?
My career ambition is to ensure that IRPM becomes the “default go-to” provider of learning and qualifications in the Build to Rent sector as it is now for the leasehold sector.
My personal ambition is to finish rebuilding a 1964 Series IIa Landrover which my father and I took to bits 15 years ago and is the classic ‘unfinished project’.
What do you do when you’re not working?
Surviving getting my three grown up children through university, the occasional modern jive of an evening, and nipping to my local pub on my classic Massey Ferguson tractor (lemonade only).
