The Conveyancing Association’s Annual Conference highlighted the opportunities available for conveyancing firms to improve efficiency and competitiveness by embracing business and technology advancements.
Held on 30 January at the Hilton Deansgate Hotel in Manchester, the event — sponsored by Landmark Information Group — brought together industry professionals to discuss key issues affecting the sector. Under the theme ‘Past, present and future – where is the conveyancing industry up to and what can we expect in the future?’, the conference examined economic trends, pricing models, recruitment strategies, marketing, and the increasing role of artificial intelligence (AI) in conveyancing.
ECONOMIC AND TECHNOLOGY INSIGHTS
Behavioural economist Roger Martin-Fagg opened the event with an analysis of major economic trends and their potential impact on the UK housing market. He highlighted how an increased money supply could lead to greater mortgage availability and property transactions.
Rob Gurney, managing director of Ochresoft, discussed customer expectations around the conveyancing process and how firms can reduce the time taken to reach exchange and completion. Breakout sessions also covered pricing models, staff well-being, marketing tactics, and strategies to attract new talent into the profession.
A key theme of the afternoon sessions was AI’s growing role in conveyancing. Ed Boulle from Orbital examined the pace of technological change and how firms could use AI to reduce administrative burdens and streamline transactions. This was followed by a panel discussion on safely integrating AI into the conveyancing process while ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements.
INDUSTRY ENGAGEMENT AND FUNDRAISING
Following the conference, attendees took part in the Conveyancing Association’s Annual Dinner, with Stewart Title as the main drinks reception sponsor. The evening raised £2,995 for The Children’s Society, supported by a raffle prize sponsored by Propertymark.
The event was attended by representatives from across the industry, with exhibitors including Landmark Information Group, Stewart Title, PEXA, Conveyancing Data Services, LMS, Orbital Witness, CoPSO, WNS, Post Partner, Armalytix, Dye & Durham UK, LPG, inCase, Thirdfort, Dual Asset, Propertymark, Leap, Redbrick Solutions, Legal Eye, and Howden.
FUTURE INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENTS
Nicky Heathcote (pictured), non-executive chair of the Conveyancing Association, said the conference balanced immediate challenges with a focus on the sector’s future.
“Set in the middle of the decade, half-way between 2020 and 2030, which has been identified as the point at which we could get a truly end-to-end digital conveyancing process, this year’s conference was always going to be about the here and now, with tangible insights, support and advice for member firms to grow their businesses, and also with an eye firmly on the near future through a focus on technology and, particularly, AI,” she said.
“We hope that all those who attended felt the benefits of such an approach, with a raft of information available for member firms to use right now, specifically around how they price but also in key areas like marketing and recruitment. And a sustained delve into the current economic factors that are going to shape all our working lives over the course of this year.
“It was also important for us to recognise the huge, potential shift that greater usage of AI will bring, and attendees will I hope have been enthused by the opportunities that exist if we embrace this and also the checks and balances that need to be in place in order to fully benefit.”
The Conveyancing Association will announce details of its next annual conference, scheduled for early 2026, in due course.
