Myers La Roche Director Dominic Watson scoops top training award
30-10-2008 Back to news index
Dominic Watson, business sales manager at specialist optical consultants Myers La Roche, has been named NFOPP Technical Award in Commercial Property Agency Student of the Year 2008.
Dominic, who is only the fourth person in the
As well as working in a demanding full-time job at Myers La Roche’ Altrincham offices, Dominic combined his studies with caring for his wife Julie, who had suffered a brain haemorrhage six months earlier during the birth of their son Nicholas.
Chris Brown, president of the National Association of Estate Agents (NAEA) presented Dominic with a hand-engraved glass trophy at a special awards ceremony arranged by the National Federation of Property Professionals (NFOPP) of which the NAEA is a member.
Speaking at the event, Chris said: “Entries for this year’s awards were judged mostly on securing high marks, but we also considered the candidate’s success in managing to juggle demanding personal circumstances with their studies.
“All of the entries for this year’s competition were impressive, but Dominic’s achievements are especially remarkable, and I congratulate him on his success and believe his story will inspire others.”
Dominic explained: “Our role as specialist business transfer agents involves so much more than simply marrying buyers and sellers of optical related businesses. The majority of our time is actually spent once a sale has been agreed, dealing with and coordinating communication between our clients, the other side, funders, Primary Care Trusts, accountants, solicitors, landlords and a host of other parties. In particular, the property aspects of deals often proves critical to a successful outcome and a good agent, as the only party able to talk to all the other parties really can make the difference between success and failure of a deal.
“As a result of studying for the qualification, we have been able to significantly reduce the number of sales that fall through by anticipating and short circuiting many of the issues relating to leases and to securing finance and to generally speed up the timeframe of the process”
He added: “I have to say that study time was grabbed wherever, whenever, due to having to care for my wife and young baby, but because the course is delivered by MOL on a flexible basis, I was able to fit in my studies around my job and my domestic duties.
“I am thrilled to have won this prestigious award, which only goes to prove that if you want something badly enough it you should go for it.”
Dominic, formerly an IT consultant in the legal field, joined Myers La Roche some 6 years ago and has been responsible for brokering several hundred deals. He now heads a team of four and is aiming to further develop this side of the business as well as to continue his studies.
He said: “Having realised the benefits of training and professional development, I am now keen secure the NFOPP Diploma, the organisation’s flagship vocational qualification, and with my wife now heading for a full recovery, I am confident that is achievable over the next year or two.”
Ruth Lilley, head of membership and professional development at NFOPP, said: “Gaining an accredited qualification is a mark of professionalism and a commitment to best practice.
“It is encouraging that so many property professionals across a range of disciplines are now studying for nationally recognised vocational qualifications and that their new-found knowledge is helping them to develop their careers and to boost the performance of their businesses.”
NFOPP Technical Awards offer a thorough grounding in a range of specialist subjects and are suitable not only to those who are relatively new to the profession but also and to those at more senior level who want to brush up their skills and re-evaluate their practices.
NFOPP was created last year with the merger of the National Association of Estate Agents (NAEA), the Association of Residential Letting Agents (ARLA), the National Association of Valuers and Auctioneers (NAVA), the Institute of Commercial Business Agents (ICBA), and the Association of Professional Inventory Providers (APIP).
The organisation is recognised by Ofqual, the Office of the Qualifications and Examinations Regulator, as an independent awarding body and all its qualifications are Ofqual accredited.
For further information about NFOPP qualifications visit www.nfopp.co.uk or e-mail: quals@nfopp.co.uk. For details of professional development courses e-mail: courses@nfopp.co.uk and for membership e-mail: membership@nfopp.co.uk.
Issued on behalf of the National Federation of Property Professionals (NFOPP), Arbon House,
By PR Support,
For further information, contact Jane Grant on 01926 624 522, or email jane@prsupport.co.uk.
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