The Association of Leasehold Enfranchisement Practitioners (ALEP) hosted its Annual Conference on Tuesday 9 October, with the sell-out event seeing more than 300 professionals gathering for the main event in the leasehold enfranchisement calendar.
This year’s conference addressed the legislation changes the sector will likely undergo in the coming years. Indeed, the opening lecture was delivered by Law Commissioner Professor Nicholas Hopkins who presented an update on the Law Commission’s work on enfranchisement and Commonhold reform. He also urged delegates to respond to the latest consultation (which closes on 20 November) before the full report is published in 2019.
ALEP Honorary President and conference host, Damian Greenish echoed this by encouraging delegates not to ‘attack’ the changes, but instead to ‘seek clarity’ as the sector faces its biggest change – and greatest challenge – to date.
Delegates then enjoyed further presentations all focussing on key topics and issues from the sector including: Robert Pearce QC of Radcliffe Chambers discussing tax and lease extensions; Piers Harrison, Tanfield Chambers outlining Capitalisation rates after All Saints in a two-hander with valuer Andrew Balcombe; and Mark Loveday presenting updates from recent high-profile leasehold cases.
Due to popular demand, delegates were offered the opportunity to attend a morning session, which was hosted by ALEP Director and Bishop & Sewell Partner, Mark Chick, with the aim of offering practical business advice to delegates. The first presentation was delivered by digital marketing expert, Josh Whiten, who explained to delegates how visibility, optimisation, authenticity and content are the four keys to starting a brand’s online success story.
Communications expert Nick Looby also delivered an engaging presentation explaining how modern digital living means (worryingly) less face-to-face communication in all walks of life and particularly how this should be tackled in everyday working life to achieve a greater balance. He advised that storytelling could be a powerful tool in communications and offered tips on how to communicate with courage and authenticity.
ALEP founder and Director, Anna Bailey, said: “The enfranchisement sector is going through a very interesting and important time as debate surrounding legislation continues. ALEP has always sought to promote best practice, fairness and clarity so we are proud to deliver an event aimed at the sector’s most influential professionals and help promote this message and further the education of our members.”
