2023 was a busy year for EK Group, reflecting the dynamism of our sector at a time of rising standards and expectations.
Perhaps the biggest issue in the property industry has been the Building Safety Act, as its full implications have come become clearer over the past year. With developers and building owners now accountable to new regulatory bodies, building surveyors have also been challenged to up our game. We’ve been developing protocols designed to lead the way in embedding state-of-the-art safety standards, especially in the maintenance of residential blocks.
Increasingly, we have found our clients value a holistic offering from us, which is why have pivoted to more of a consultancy model. Managing agents in particular prefer a ‘one-stop shop’ for the full range of surveying services, consultancy and general expertise. We are proud to be the trusted partners of a number of long-term clients. They find contracting multiple services from us is more cost and time effective, so I suspect this is a trend that will continue across the industry into the future.
On a similar note, we know clients place a high value of consistency of service, and of personnel.
Firms whose people are stretched too thin, and forced to ‘pass the parcel’ when it comes to clients, are unlikely to earn the kind of trust that makes for a successful working relationship. That’s why we’ve invested in a number of new additions to our team over the past year, giving us room to grow without dropping the ball for our clients. Meanwhile, our new London base, the Building Centre, puts our team at the heart of a community of like-minded professionals. It’s a pleasure to work in such a vibrant hub of activity, where new contacts and connections are constantly being made.
We are particularly thrilled to have launched two brand new services in the past year. EK Specialist Surveys is a next-generation, integrated survey service offering led by drone pioneer Adam Bailey. Offering everything from rope-access surveys to drone surveys, we now have an appropriate solution for just about everything. After all, clients don’t necessarily come to us for this or that particular service: they have a particular requirement, and it’s up to us to find the right solution for them – whether that’s high-tech or much more basic.
Our other new initiative is the Surveyor’s Collection, a brand new creative consultancy providing interior design and project management services.
We’ve identified a particular gap in the market for the design and refurbishment of communal areas. Well-designed interiors give residents a much greater sense of belonging, and a greater stake in maintaining the building as a whole. This is not just about aesthetic considerations, though. We use all our technical expertise to ensure new designs meet the specific needs of each building, and to develop a brief that suits the budget of each client. Given that many buildings are home to hundreds of residents with different tastes and priorities, diplomatic skills are another important part of the mix!
In 2023, EK Group also began operating in new sectors, serving London boroughs and housing authorities, for example. In addition, we are now signed up to no fewer than 15 professional frameworks that institutionalise our commitment to best practice standards. These range from Historic England’s public value framework for heritage buildings to the Pretium Rooftop Development Framework, and include a variety of Dynamic Purchasing Systems designed to connect buyers to a pool of pre-qualified suppliers. Frameworks like these are only likely to become more important in helping the industry as a whole to raise and maintain standards.
In reviewing the past year, though, it would be remiss of me not to mention that my colleagues won not one but three awards, all of which reflect the changing priorities of our industry.
In June, EK Group were named ‘Partner of the Year’ at the Association of Residential Managing Agents’ ACE Awards in June. I really believe that partnership, rather than simply one-off service provision, is the future of our sector.
Then in November at the News on the Block Property Managers Awards, we picked up both the Net Zero Award – an obvious priority that will only become more important in the years to come – and the Major Works Project of the Year Award. The latter was particularly significant because it was for a fire remedial project on a number of blocks with more than 300 leaseholders. Again, there will be many more projects like this in 2024 and beyond.
Coming to my forecast for the year ahead then, I’d like to offer three specific predictions and two more general suggestions.
- Building Safety Act
As we continue to produce Building Safety Case reports for occupied buildings over 18 metres high (or seven storeys or more) ready for submission by 1st April 2024, we expect the Building Safety Regulator to start issuing Building Assessment Certificates throughout 2024 and beyond. We also expect ‘medium rise’ buildings of 11-18m to be brought into scope in the near future. Property managers should ensure their buildings are as compliant as is reasonably practicable to make that process as straightforward as possible.
- More compliance demands on managing agents
Managing agents are being asked to take on a more encompassing role, with new responsibilities like quarterly inspections for fire doors. This means some companies are considering getting in-house compliance teams. Alternatively, of course, a specialist partner like us can relieve the burden.
- Increasing standards for communal areas
In keeping with the trend across the board, I expect to see tougher safety standards for communal areas, primarily driven by fire regulations. Forward-looking building owners and managing agents should see this as an opportunity to improve the look of these areas too, and to engage residents. Related prediction: the Surveyor’s Collection to go from strength to strength!
- Sustainability to go beyond Net Zero
The industry is working hard to reduce carbon emissions in every way possible. In recent years, though, the issue has reached a tipping point, with the public expecting sustainable solutions all the way down supply chains. It’s not just about targets, but also about keeping costs down and preferring local to global suppliers. This is only likely to continue.
- Continuing demand for holistic services
Building owners, developers and managing agents are all working hard to juggle a range of priorities while keeping budgets under control. The resulting demand for partners who can provide a wide range of services, as well as providing consultancy and advice on looking after their assets, has driven the evolution of EK Group in recent years. I expect this to continue into 2024 and beyond, as the sector evolves and innovators reap the rewards.
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