The Association of Residential Lettings Agents (ARLA) has announced the appointment of Valerie Bannister as President for the coming year.

Following a year as ARLA’s President Elect, she was officially passed the ARLA ceremonial chain by the outgoing President Susan Fitz-Gibbon at the organisation’s AGM last Friday.

Bannister takes up her new role as President with 30 years’ worth of experience in the lettings business, progressing from a small partnership firm to a large corporate business, with broad experience and knowledge of many housing aspects, including cold starts of new letting offices, Leasehold Block Management, Franchising, and Residential Lettings.

She is Head of Lettings at Your Move estate agents, which has almost 300 local branches around the UK, and this is a role she will continue alongside her duties as ARLA President.

She said: “I’m absolutely delighted to take on this role and my aspirations for the future very much focus on ensuring the profile of ARLA is raised, there is increased public awareness of what ARLA represents, and to inspire Members to stand together to ensure our voice is heard. I am immensely proud to be in this position and very much look forward to the year ahead.”

David Cox, Managing Director, Designate of ARLA, said: “We are excited to have Valerie on board as ARLA’s newly elected President. Valerie brings a wealth of industry experience to the role and her mandate shows she is fully committed to all the values and standards that ARLA represents, and is dedicated to seeking good outcomes for our members.”