Long-time Chair of property search standards association The Council of Property Search Organisations (CoPSO), James Sherwood-Rogers has announced he will step down at the end of September 2024
Launched in 2003, CoPSO has ‘enabled the creation of the modern search industry’ say Sherwood-Rogers, who has chaired the organisation for over 10 years.
It has played a significant role in improving data and standards in the search industry; CoPSO was the architect of the Search Code; the industry standard for property information ensuring reliability and accuracy of search data, protecting homebuyers and sellers, and the professionals and trades that support them.
The first property information standard recognised by the Law Society, RICS and UKFinance, the Code enabled private businesses to deliver a search that was faster and cheaper, but also more reliable then the ‘postcode lottery’ of the slow council search system. It revolutionised the industry and we estimate that over 80% of all searches now go through a Search Code subscriber due to the protections it provides.
said Sherwood-Rogers, adding
“CoPSO members have been instrumental in driving innovation, digitising data and processes, improving speed and access to information, lowering costs for consumers, and holding data owners such as local and central government to account for data accuracy, availability and integrity. It is an essential role that I am sure it will continue to play.”
During his time as Chair of CoPSO, Sherwood-Rogers has been a member of HM Land Registry Advisory Committee, the Environment Agency Data Advisory Group, the Local Land Charges Data Digitisation Council, the Home Buying and Selling Group and DPMSG, amongst others, and has been a judge for the Modern Law Conveyancing Awards since their inception in 2016.
“I am proud of what CoPSO has achieved, but it is time to move on, particularly as the demands of other interests put increasing pressure on my time.”
concluded James. Taking the opportunity to thank James, Christian Lister, a Director of CoPSO added
“We are extremely grateful to James for his long contribution to CoPSO and the stewardship he has brought to the role of Chair. His extensive experience and knowledge of the property information industry will be hard to replace, and we wish him well for the future.”
CoPSO have indicated it will take time to consider the future role of the Chair before looking to make any appointment.