John Brown, former British Property Federation president, has passed away at the age of 88.
Brown (pictured) oversaw the BPF as president between 1986-87, and was managing director of Peachey Property Corporation during that year.
The BPF has republished the words he wrote for the BPF’s 50-year anniversary special supplement in partnership with EG (see below).
Melanie Leech, BPF chief executive, said: “The role of BPF president is taken only by the industry’s most respected leaders and John exemplified this tradition. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family.”
Trevor Osborne, former BPF past president, added: “John was a real estate champion and warrior. His experience through recessions and better times made him a wise and respected leader, not only as chairman of Peachey Property Corporation, but also as president of the British Property Federation (1986-87).
“He was a man of conspicuous authority and bluntly expressed determination of whom it is no exaggeration to say he was revered and held in the greatest respect by his peer group and by the industry in which he was a prominent player throughout his career. He really deserves recognition but his modesty meant he never sought it personally.
“I am privileged to have known him as a dear friend.”
John Brown, BPF president 1986-87, when he was managing director of Peachey Property Corporation:
In my year of office, the federation held its first conference, in Brighton. The two-day event was on the theme of “Property after the Big Bang” and it attracted a capacity audience of 200 delegates.
Among the speakers was Sir Nicholas Goodison, chairman of the Stock Exchange, and John Patten, minister for housing, urban affairs and construction.
Goodison noted in a speech to the conference: “The general index of property shares has not been bright, but if all companies that have been takeover targets are omitted from the calculations, there are still investments in the property company sector which have beaten almost all comers.”
Honor Chapman spoke of new concepts in property development. Kenneth Posner told delegates that the most fundamental changes were likely to be seen in the area of securitisation. Ian Northern predicted much greater competition between shopping centres.
Housing minister John Patten urged private investors and developers to take full advantage of the new opportunities that were going to be opened up by the Building Societies Act and the Housing and Planning Act.
In general terms, the property industry had a good rapport with the Thatcher government and ministers.
Other speakers were Sir Kenneth Berrill, chairman of the Securities and Investment Board, Norman St John Stevas of the Fine Art Commission, journalist John Plender and Wyndham Thomas.
In his address, Thomas speculated on the chances of our decayed inner cities ever being successfully renewed.
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