RPSA Articles

Howden's Offices, London | 15 May 2025

After a full morning immersed in the scale and sparkle of the Property Institute Annual Conference, I found myself swapping grand auditoriums for a more intimate gathering in the heart of London, courtesy of the Conveyancing Association. The setting: Howden’s offices, the occasion: a members’ event meets mini-conference, and the buffet? Well… I’ll come to that.

It was an honour to attend alongside Alan Milstein, our former RPSA Chairman and longstanding champion of consumer transparency in property transactions. Alan had been invited to speak on a panel exploring the ongoing development of the Digital Property Information Protocol—a topic where, as many of you will know, he brings considerable insight and quiet tenacity.

Beth at the Helm.

The event was hosted and deftly chaired by the inimitable Bethany De Montjoie Rudolf, Co-Chair of the Home Buying & Selling Group (or Beth, as we affectionately know her). She chaired the event beautifully, blending wit, wisdom and unflappable charm. A very knowledgeable lady indeed.

It was clear from the outset that this wasn’t just another CPD filler. The room buzzed with genuine discussion—from high-level policy to the practical nuts and bolts of upfront information.

An Unattainable Buffet and the Afternoon That Followed

Alan and I arrived just as the afternoon session was kicking off—mere moments too late to sample what looked like a truly splendid buffet laid on by the Conveyancing Association. The aroma lingered with a kind of edible cruelty, almost like a phantom sausage roll! Still, as anyone who knows me will agree, skipping lunch might not be the worst thing for my waistline. Let’s call it enforced, and perhaps much-needed, restraint.

What we lacked in sustenance, we more than made up for in substance.

The Panel: Upfront Information & Industry Collaboration

The session featured a panel of leading voices from across the property ecosystem, all deeply involved in the push for better upfront information. They shared their perspectives and took part in a Q&A with the audience. The panel included Alan Milstein, our former RPSA Chairman, who brings invaluable insight from the perspective of independent surveyors and is very active in the prestigious “Home Buying and Selling Group”, where the RPSA is also represented. Joining him were John Baguley (Principal Mortgage Policy Director at UK Finance), Henry Griffith (Policy & Campaigns Officer at Propertymark), Sarah Ward (Head of Strategic Environment, Customer and Strategy Group at HM Land Registry), and Stephen Ward (the charismatic Head of Strategy at the Council for Licensed Conveyancers).

Their discussion centred around the Digital Property Information Protocol and the broader movement towards providing more comprehensive information to consumers at the outset of the property transaction. We'll be delving deeper into the implications of this in future RPSA blogs, so watch this space!

Spotlight on the TA6 Reforms

One of the day’s most thought-provoking contributions came from Mark Evans, Vice President of the Law Society. Mark is a very knowledgeable and amiable chap from North Wales who is refreshingly grounded and approachable. What makes Mark’s rise especially welcome is that he’s a conveyancer himself—something of a rarity for incoming Law Society Presidents. I had the chance to chat with Mark, and it’s clear he’s not only knowledgeable but also genuinely open to further discussions and meetings with the RPSA.

His talk focused on the TA6 form changes—a very contentious topic within the conveyancing community generally, and one we’ll be picking up in future discussions. He’s also very knowledgeable about surveys and open to discussing how we can increase the uptake of home buyer and building surveys.

Andrew McColl with Mark Evans (Vice President, Law Society) - Mark will become President of the Law Society in January 2025. It will be great to have someone at the helm who fully understands our industry. Mark is a conveyancer and knows the importance of surveys.

Why Events Like This Matter

The Conveyancing Association, representing a significant portion of property transactions and remortgages across England and Wales, is not just a trade body—it’s an influential voice in shaping the future of how we buy, sell, and secure homes. You can find out more about them here: https://www.conveyancingassociation.org.uk/about/

Their collaborative spirit and commitment to reform is clear. They are aligned with many of our own RPSA ambitions: improving consumer understanding, streamlining processes, and raising standards. It’s good to have friends in the same trench.

Final Thoughts

While the buffet may have escaped me, the day more than satisfied my appetite for collaboration, insight, and ambition. Huge thanks to Beth and the team for a warm welcome—and to all those working tirelessly behind the scenes to fix the bones of our housing market, not just paper over the cracks. Here’s to more cross-industry conversations, more joined-up thinking—and yes, hopefully a slice of cake next time.

Andrew McColl, Chairman, RPSA