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Written by rosalind renshaw

Name: Michael Day

What does it say on your business card: Managing director, Integra Property Services.

What is Integra?

A consultancy business for the property industry, providing clients with a range of business, management, training, marketing and PR solutions. In addition, we provide a range of professional services including valuations, HIPs and domestic energy assessment.

Funniest moment in your working life?

There have been so many and I need to protect some of the not so innocent parties – I might still be working with them! In fact you’ll have to read the book to hear them all but I do remember attending a house once to carry out a valuation only to find a goat in the main bedroom! When I asked the seller about the smell, he replied: “Oh, the goat doesn’t mind!”

What do you think of EPCs?

I think EPCs will, in the long term, prove to be valuable reports as awareness of energy consumption and efficiency measures becomes increasingly important. With some 27% of the UK’s carbon dioxide emissions coming from residential property, it makes sense for the public to be aware of and, in particular, look at simple cost-effective measures such as loft and cavity wall insulation if not the more major areas of expenditure. However, because EPCs have initially been linked with HIPs, they have suffered the same bad press. Over time and as marketplace conditions change, with perhaps more property for sale and to let, then buyers and tenants may become more interested in the content of the EPC.

I am also a little concerned at the quality of some reports, but with the price for an EPC having been driven so low by supply and demand factors and the leverage held by the panel managers, it is no wonder that some are being produced by inexperienced and, in my opinion, under-supervised assessors.

Where is your business based?

Gerrards Cross in South Buckinghamshire, but our client base is national. We act for many large and small estate agencies, law firms, training organisations and professional bodies.

How hard have you found the recession?


Initially very tough and it led to me selling the award-winning estate agency part of my business. The consultancy and professional services parts of the business, whilst doing well, are, like everyone else, having to operate in rapidly changing and challenging conditions. Hopefully our input is helping many operators to fare well, manage change and grow successfully.

What lasting lessons will you take from it?


Adversity acts as a catalyst for change and this always presents opportunities. Success is where those opportunities meet preparation.

If the Tories get in at the next election, would you be sorry to see HIPs go?

No. The opportunity to change the home buying process for the better was lost by this Government’s inflexibility, procrastination and shambolic implementation. I doubt they could run a bath successfully, let alone the country.

What is the most satisfying aspect of your role?

Knowing that I have enabled many business owners and managers to more greatly fulfill their potential as both businesses and as individuals. Having conversations with people that I have worked with over the last 30-odd years who are kind enough to acknowledge the part I have played in building their careers, and working with new clients who are looking towards making their mark in the future.

Who is your property hero?


It used to be Stephen Shipperley of Connells, a superb estate agent and businessman, but now it is anyone who can holistically combine hard work, humanity, humility and humour when dealing with customers, clients and staff.

If you hadn’t been an agent, what would you have been instead?

Either a rock star or a gigolo. Clearly I wasn’t talented enough at either, although I can claim to have been on stage and played with my all-time rock heroes Wishbone Ash. (I’m showing my age here!)

Random thought?


You may not be able to control the wind but you can adjust the sails.

www.integra-ps.com

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