RPSA Articles

Andrew McColl, Chairman, recently attended Propertymark One 2025 at ExCeL London, offering a unique perspective on the UK’s largest multi-disciplinary conference for property professionals.

The RPSA is committed to ensuring our members are always at the forefront of the property industry. That’s why we’ll be making a concerted effort to keep you informed about significant upcoming events and conferences from other organisations. Where possible, we'll endeavour to secure exclusive discounts on your behalf. We believe it's incredibly important to step slightly outside the traditional boundaries of surveying, to avoid a tunnel-vision approach, and to view our profession from other perspectives. These events provide invaluable opportunities to gain fresh perspectives, exchange experiences, and gain a deeper understanding of the broader property landscape.

There are some invitations you can't refuse, even when they clash with your holiday plans – and this was one of them! Thanks to the distinguished Stephen McCarron, RPSA Council member and Propertymark Board member, I had the privilege of VIP access to Propertymark One 2025 at ExCeL London. I can confirm: Propertymark truly knows how to put on a show, and the UK’s largest property conference lived up to its billing in every way.

A Who's Who of Property – And Plenty of Chocolate!

It's always good to see things from the other side and mix with industry peers, and Propertymark One was a masterclass in that. More than 2,000 property professionals – agents, suppliers, surveyors, and legal experts – came together for a day packed with learning, networking, and the odd bit of harmless chocolate stand-raiding (guilty, but it was all for the local kids, honest!). With breakout rooms catering to every interest and sponsors galore, the day had a genuinely spacious and vibrant feel. Hats off to the organisers for managing what could have been chaos and instead delivering slick, engaging sessions and a truly memorable lunch.

The entire event, held at the impressive ExCeL London on Friday, 13th June, brought together attendees from across the property spectrum. The energy, insight, and enthusiasm throughout the day truly reaffirmed Propertymark’s role at the heart of the industry. The venue was perfect for bringing members together at scale, with sessions designed to suit every discipline and offering insights based on new research and various professional perspectives on issues affecting our practices.

Speakers Who Inspired and Challenged

If you think property conferences are all shop talk and tired PowerPoint slides, think again. Propertymark One’s keynote line-up was as strong as any in the business. We had an exceptional array of speakers, from household names to influential voices in policy, economics, and mental health.

• Kirstie      Allsopp – The "Location, Location, Location" legend herself ,      sharing insights from a quarter-century in the public eye. She captivated the audience with her reflections on her TV career and candid insights into confidence, visibility, and women in the industry. Her practical advice? "Do your job to the best of your ability, and don’t worry too much—if you know your onions, it will be good". Kirstie also dedicates a great deal of time to various charities, promoting organisations such as Home-Start UK and Keep Britain Tidy, and has been a long-time supporter of Comic Relief and Cancer Research.

• Dr Elaine Kasket – A leading cyberpsychologist, tackling the thorny topic of technology and connection. Her keynote provided a thought-provoking examination of our relationship with technology, urging professionals not to disconnect but instead to engage mindfully. Her powerful reminder: "Technology provides the connectivity, but it’s down to us to do the connecting," landed with the whole audience. Dr Kasket, a sought-after speaker, also hosts the 'Reboot: Your Life on Tech' podcast and has worked with global clients such as Netflix and the NHS. Her new book, 

Reboot: Reclaiming Your Life in a Tech-Obsessed World examines the profound impact of technology on modern life, covering topics such as remote work and threats to personal identity.

• Daisy McAndrew – With thirty years’ experience reporting on everything from UK politics and economics to business and the British Royal Family, Daisy offered real perspective on communicating in today’s noisy world. She currently presents multiple shows on talkTV and was instrumental in launching talkTV in April 2022.

• Professor Steve Peters – Author of The Chimp Paradox, a best-selling self-help book that has sold over a million copies, put us all through our paces on emotional wellbeing and getting the best from ourselves. Professor Peters, a medical doctor specialising in mental health, has dedicated his working life to helping people achieve their best and find a good place. His latest book, 

       A Path through the Jungle was published in 2021.

Who says property isn’t about people? The impressive line-up certainly provided invaluable insights into the industry's future and offered some 'out-of-the-box' tools.

Sessions that Delivered Practical Value

Beyond the inspiring keynotes, the carefully curated breakout sessions provided delegates with the opportunity to delve deeper into specialist areas. From boosting business revenue through clever marketing to legal compliance and the future of housing policy, these sessions ensured there was something for every interest and career stage.

Inventories and compliance experts Sian Hemming-Metcalfe and Daniel Evans delivered stark reminders about the risks of non-compliance, backed by real audit data showing where many agents fall short, particularly in areas such as EPCs, client money protection, and material information. It's a vital reminder for us all to stay on top of these crucial aspects.

Another standout session saw auctioneers from NAVA Propertymark join jewellery specialist Izzie Balmer for a fun and educational "Bang Your Own Gavel" experience, which hilariously saw a bottle of fizz auctioned for £1,200! Talk about creating a lively atmosphere!

We also had business leaders discussing sustainable growth and marketing, with property statistician Chris Watkin and We Are Unchained founder Simon Leadbetter sharing high-impact strategies for brand visibility. At the same time, Christian Balshen of Rightmove offered a thoughtful reminder that “listening is more important than trying to fix everything” when it comes to tech adoption and customer experience.

Learning, Community, and Why You Should Go Next Time

Events like this are more than just a chance to hear from the great and good. They’re about building community, catching up with old contacts, and making plenty of new ones. It was truly a day to exchange experiences and explore new opportunities, inspiring attendees to be their best and grow their businesses. The feedback was overwhelmingly positive—insightful, innovative, and a real sense of industry unity. David Powell from Andrews Property Group summed up the atmosphere perfectly, noting he left "with new knowledge, innovative ideas, and a renewed sense of community within the industry".

Propertymark One united 2000 property professionals, representing diverse disciplines, for an exciting day of learning and networking, aiming to inspire, innovate, and maximise our potential, both personally and professionally. The event embraced the future with confidence and optimism, acknowledging that while the industry faces significant challenges, the opportunities are equally great. It truly brought together property professionals to celebrate excellence and shape a vibrant, sustainable, and inclusive future for all property agents.

Spotlight: Stephen McCarron—Our Man in Northern Ireland (and Beyond)

If you’re wondering who our inside man is, look no further than Stephen McCarron. Stephen is not only a Board member of Propertymark, but also a fellow RPSA councillor and top-notch building surveyor.. With three decades of experience in Northern Ireland’s property market, Stephen has been an active NAEA Propertymark member since he began. He began his career with Nationwide Estate Agents and progressed through the ranks to eventually establish his own agency, Donnybrook Estate Agents, in 1997. As both an RPSA Council member and a Propertymark Board member, Stephen brings a unique wealth of experience, industry contacts, and a passion for advancing the profession. We’re incredibly lucky to have him in our corner, and it was a real privilege to have him facilitate my VIP access to such a significant event.

Ultimately, for all RPSA members, events like Propertymark One are invaluable. They offer a fantastic chance to step outside the familiar, broaden your understanding of the entire property sector, and discover new ideas that can directly benefit your practice. As I've discussed in my previous article, 'Stepping Outside the Two Straight Lines,' maintaining a flexible and open mindset is crucial for growth in our profession. The RPSA will continue to champion this wider view by actively seeking out and informing you of major industry conferences and events. We will do our best to secure any available discounts on your behalf. Keep an eye on our announcements; you never know which breakout room might hold your next big opportunity—or your fifth bar of chocolate!