Banker Steve Cripps has been named as Chairman of the Portsmouth Property Association (PPA) for a second successive year.
Steve, just the second person in the last 65 years to hold the role for two consecutive years, is presiding over a record PPA membership of around 170 people.
The 59-year-old SME (small and medium enterprises) Relationship Manager for the NatWest Bank in Fareham last year became the first banker to hold the role in the organisation’s near 100-year history.
He said: “I am very pleased to continue as Chairman for a further year. It has been an honour to head such a prestigious organisation and I am looking forward to another year of growth.
“These are exciting times for Portsmouth and the property industry and I am extremely keen for PPA members to be out there showcasing the best of the city to the world, especially when the America’s Cup returns in the summer.”
Fareham born and bred Steve, who has worked for NatWest for more than 41 years, added: “The city’s property market is getting back to its old buoyant self with growth right across the board.
“I am noticing the feelgood factor coming back – not just with the America’s Cup, but the North Quarter being back on the agenda, the Fat Face HQ coming to Waterlooville and the August bank holiday music festival once again bringing thousands of people to Southsea.
“Demand continues to outstrip supply with regard to commercial property and land and PPA members are continuing to work closely with the city council to keep abreast of all developments.
He added: “The PPA brings together so many industry professionals into one recognised professional body that it really is a ‘one-stop shop’ for all property requirements.
“PPA membership has gone tremendously in the past 12 months to our record figure of 170 – and one of my aims for 2016 is to raise the profile of our association and promote our togetherness.”
The PPA’s annual meeting elected Tom Holloway, of Portsmouth-based chartered surveyors and commercial property consultants Holloway, Iliffe and Mitchell as Vice Chairman.
There are also two new committee members – licensed conveyancer Lorna Newnham, who is based in the Havant office of Glanvilles Legal Services, and Daryn Brewer, Managing Director of lettings agency Brewers, headquartered in Lower Drayton.
Members include estate agents, lettings and property management agents, commercial property agents, chartered surveyors, developers, accountants, solicitors and bankers.
The PPA has raised upwards of £80,000 for local charities in just the past 11 years.
Steve has linked with Portsmouth’s Lord Mayor, Cllr Frank Jonas for his nominated charities for this year.
He said: “The Lord Mayor had a very long list of charities for his year in office that ends in May. We decided to work with him and pick up any good causes that he was unable to support. Therefore, we will be hoping to help six to eight charities and raise around £1,000 for each, rather than just one.”
The PPA’s 2016 annual charity dinner at the city’s Royal Maritime Club and featuring former England cricketer and test selector Geoff Miller as guest speaker, raised more than £5,000 for The New Blendworth Centre at Horndean.
The centre, the cause chosen by Steve as his nominated first year charity, was also boosted by the PPA’s first quiz night for some years, when 39 teams raised more than £2,000. It provides work placements in horticulture.
The PPA has an event for every month except July/August. Next up will be the Spring Lunch on May 19.
