S-PA Chair Martin McKervey steps down after years of exceptional leadership

As some of you may already know, our Chair, Martin McKervey, is stepping down from his role this December.

As a key ambassador for the S-PA, Martin has been exceptional in his role and has served as the board’s central point of contact for official communication between us and the Priority Groups.

The directors are grateful for Martin’s dedication and effort over the years and wish him all the best in his future endeavours.  

As we move forward, the five directors will be leading the organisation and taking on the responsibilities of the chair, aided by our Priority Group Leads and members.  

Commenting on this, Tim Bottrill said: “Martin has played a key role in the S-PA from its inception and we thank him for his dedication, guidance and leadership over the years.

His contributions to the S-PA have made such a positive impact to the City and he has been an incredible part of our team.” 

Martin steps down on the 11th December and he has kindly shared some thoughts about his tenure and the organisation, which we hope you read below.

To make direct contact with the S-PA Directors or Priority Group Leads please see  details here: https://www.sheffieldpropertyassociation.com/people alternatively please email info@sheffieldpropertyassociation.com

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Some words from our outgoing Chair, Martin McKervey:

“In 2017 something relevant and important happened in Sheffield. A small group of people got together, with a recognition of the need for a strong private sector voice representing those who would like to play a part and make a contribution to shaping the city for decades to come.

There was agreement to bring together those individuals and organisations who have a shared aspiration to make Sheffield's built environment stand out and to help the city to compete effectively in the global economy. The Sheffield Property Association ( the S-PA) was established. As the first association of its kind outside of London, the S-PA members represent the significant land owning and development businesses in the city, along with a wide range of professional organisations that help create and support the built environment. The S-PA has had from the outset a strong desire to build strategic capabilities, to help and inform policy-makers, promoting investment and driving economic prosperity across the city and wider region.

Over the course of the last seven years we have collectively taken great pride in the fact that this city is our home, and we have embraced the great opportunity we have had to try and make a difference, making Sheffield a great place to be for everyone who lives, works and socialises here.

Together we support, celebrate and promote Sheffield. We seek to connect  land owning and development businesses with stakeholders and partners and, we have built relationships that seek to strengthen Sheffield's communities.

We have also been hugely ambitious for our city, driving opportunity and prosperity. We have also committed time and energy to building relationships, working with Government, with Sheffield City Council, the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority, with Homes England, with Arts Council England and with various other stakeholders and organisations. Through our work with the London Property Alliance-comprising the City and Westminster Property Associations, we have built important relationships, recognising that relationships in our nation's capital is important for Sheffield and the wider region.

The S-PA is grateful for the opportunity it has had to engage with and contribute to the important work taking place in Sheffield over recent times including, the creation of the Sheffield City Goals, the work of the Sheffield Together Partnership, the Sheffield Housing Growth Board, the work of the Sheffield Culture Collective, the Sheffield Heritage Partnership Board,the preparation of the Sheffield Investment Prospectus, the marketing of the city at MIPIM and in recent years at UKREiiF, the work relating to the preparation of the draft Growth Plan for Sheffield, the Sheffield Land Climate Routemap and, the Local Plan. Members of the S-PA have also committed time to supporting our engagement and work with schools and communities in partnership with Sheffield Business Together and See It Be It.

All of this has been achieved through a strong team ethos and effort, involving the Directors, the Co-ordination Group and, importantly the work of our Priority Groups- Inspiring the Future, Promoting Sheffield, Working for You, Shaping the City, Protecting our Future, Aspire and Equality Diversity & Inclusion. This has indeed been a collective team effort.

It has been a privilege and honour to Chair the S-PA over the course of the last seven years. As I step away I do so in the knowledge that this sense of team work and willingness to work collaboratively and in partnership which has underpinned what the S-PA has achieved to this point, will continue to be the very same foundations that will drive the future direction and success of the Association.

When we set up the S-PA we did so knowing that it was never simply about bricks and mortar. Cities are not just buildings. Cities are an idea. An idea that people achieve more when they work together. We seek out interaction and influence. Conversations that spark collaborations. Meetings that trigger innovation. The expertise, insights and innovation of the private sector must combine with that of the public sector to deliver the greatest possible impact. Together we can be confident of our ability to provide a style of leadership that builds trust with communities at home and in boardrooms around the globe, making Sheffield the very best city it can be.

My stepping away is immaterial. The foundations have been laid, they have taken us to this point and they can also help to shape and drive the future.  The past is kind enough to give us lessons. The present is kind enough to give us opportunities. The future is kind enough to give  us both. Thank you all for your friendship and support. I wish everyone at the S-PA every success for the future.''

Martin McKervey