A long-established association which brings together property industry professionals in the Portsmouth region has a new Chair.
Sau-Wan Lai – Sau – was appointed to the post, with Stacey Read as deputy.
Their roles were confirmed at the AGM of Portsmouth Property Association (PPA), now in its 107th year.
It is thought to be the first time two women have held the two respective roles concurrently since the PPA was established in 1920.
In line with tradition, the Chair nominates local charities for fundraising support during the 12-month tenure.
Co-founder of commercial property chartered surveyors Wheeler & Lai, Sau chose The Elizabeth Foundation, Endometriosis South Coast and Ripple Suicide Prevention.
She said: “Showing how networking works, the three home-grown charities became known to me through business events.
“If raising awareness is the least I can do to help others, it feels like a privilege to be able to choose all these organisations, which, whilst local in their beginnings, have a resounding wider impact.”
On her appointment, Sau added: “I’m Portsmouth through and through, and passionate about people, property and, of course, Portsmouth.
“The PPA is the voice of property in the city region – it’s also a privilege to be able to work alongside amazing peers who also give up their time to give back to members, to the community and to charity.
“I’m conscious of the weight of history which comes with the chain, with me being the fifth woman to hold the post and for Stacey and I to be the first women to hold Chair and Deputy Chair at the same time.”
The Elizabeth Foundation is the UK’s single largest provider of early intervention, educational and support services for pre-school children and babies with all degrees of deafness.
In admiration of the charity’s work, Sau is learning British Sign Language.
Endometriosis South Coast is an inclusive charity set up to support people who haven’t started their diagnosis journey, are going through the diagnosis stages or have been diagnosed.
With interception technology, Ripple Suicide Prevention strives for a safe internet that protects individuals from dangerous online content leading to self-harm and suicide.
Its founder, Alice Hendy MBE, lost her only sibling, brother Josh, to suicide; aged 21, he had had been searching for techniques to take his own life through harmful internet searches.
Ian Lee, co-founder and managing director of chartered surveyors and valuation experts Destin Chandler Hawkins, was PPA’s previous Chair.
Stacey Read, Deputy Chair, works at the residential conveyancing team of solicitors Warner Goodman.
PPA brings together estate agents, surveyors, lawyers, brokers, architects, and other professional advisers into a collective voice to drive the economic prosperity of the city region.
