Independent agents’ group reveals entry criteria for new members

The Federation of Independent Agents has released details of the entry criteria for agencies interested in joining the growing group.

“We’re already recognised by the quality of our members and we continue to attract interest from a wide range of agents, from the new self-employed models all the way through to large and established high street operators” explains FIA founder Graham Lock. 

“The FIA brand has to be associated with high quality agents and so certain criteria has to be met before we would consider a new member joining” he adds.

The criteria state that prospective member agents must have at least one of the following:

- an industry-recognised award in the past 12 months;

- endorsement by an existing FIA member;

- a minimum of 20 reviews via Google, ESTAS or Feefo with a minimum rating of 4.5 out of 5.

Lock continues: “We’re creating an industry group that stands for quality and it’s an important part of our growth strategy that the general public recognise and appreciates what it means for an agent to gain exclusive FIA membership. 

“Far too many trade groups or organisations in multiple sectors display a logo but it means little to the public and there seems to be no real barrier to entry” he adds. 

The FIA was launched in May 2019 to allow independent agents to enjoy the benefits of being part of a larger group, focussing on key products and services, buying power and what it calls “a positive sharing mentality that enables its non-competing members to collaborate on a range of subjects.”

Lock concludes: “Our industry is at the start of a golden generation with the best agents well positioned to take advantage of a robust UK property market and increasing transaction numbers that will be fuelled by cheap money, high buyer demand and an economy recovering well from the pandemic. 

“There’s already a separation forming from the average agents to the top performers and long may this continue, we’ll certainly be backing our members all the way with thought leadership, new products, innovations and a positive sharing culture to keep them ahead of the competition.”