A welcome return and a one-man protest: it was once again an eventful night at the Bristol Property Agents Association annual dinner last week.
Held at the Thistle Grand, outgoing BPAA president JLL’s Jeremy Richards kicked off a lively evening with the news that a record-breaking £20,000 had been raised during his year-long tenure for the association’s nominated charities: Penny Brohn Cancer Care and Transplant Sport.
The biggest applause of the night went to CBRE’s Phil Morton, who took the stage to conduct the heads-and-tales game.
It was his first work-related appearance since an operation to remove a brain tumour last autumn. Looking remarkably well, he thanked everyone for their support and “positive vibes”.
Former SAS commander Tim Collins was the after-dinner speaker and held the room rapt with tales of life in war zones and camaraderie. It was just after the speech that an interloper mounted a one-man protest about the lack of affordable housing. He was quickly drowned out before being escorted away.
Taking over as president of the BPAA was Ocean Estate Agents’ Ross Kieran, described by Richards as the “Peter Pan of property”.
Kieran’s nominated charities for the coming year are Above and Beyond (www.aboveandbeyond.org.uk), a patient support charity in Bristol, and Starfish (www.starfishtrust.org.hk), which is raising money to build a hydrotherapy pool for disabled children.
stacey.meadwell@estatesgazette.com
