Record attendance reported at Association of Bridging Professionals’ 2016 AGM
Over 150 people attended the Association of Bridging Professionals’ (AOBP) 2016 AGM, with the organisation’s keynote speech suggesting a change of name to reflect its larger role in the developing short-term finance market.
The event, which took place at the May Fair Hotel in London on Thursday 24 November, was open to members and non-members for the first time, with many taking the opportunity to hear the speeches and network with fellow finance professionals.
Opening proceedings Simon Juniper, vice-chairman of the AOBP, said:
“A number of affiliates at all levels have asked the question; is it enough to be the Association of Bridging Professionals? Should we, in line with the developing market, expand our name and our reach to encompass the many products now on offer?
“It is likely that we will open this question up to the membership as a whole to gauge popular sentiment and act accordingly so please, get those suggestions ready.”
Further plans for the AOBP in 2017 also included improving the quality and scope of its membership, value-for-money, a technology update and the revival of its education programme, with both the April event and a summer roadshow highlighted as the platforms for delivery.
It was also revealed that the organisation has taken on three new lender members and received applications from eight in total in the last three months. The organisation now consists of 790 blue associate intermediaries, 23 executive committee and silver associate packager partners, 33 associate lenders and 22 affiliate associates.
Special guest speaker was Josh Valman, CEO at RPD International, who discussed innovation and how to put it into practice with an engaged workforce. Presentations were also delivered by Stephen Todd, founder and director at Valuation Audit Services and Adam Challis, head of UK residential research at JLL.
The AOBP provides a service to lenders, intermediaries, master brokers and packagers in the bridging finance industry by providing a forum for discussion on non-competitive issues, acting as a trade body to help promote a favourable operating environment and providing information to assist them in their business.
Simon Juniper, vice-chairman of the AOBP
