ARLA Propertymark and NAEA Propertymark have welcomed their new presidential teams for the year ahead.

Peter Savage succeeds Sally Lawson as president of ARLA Propertymark, with Phil Keddie now president Elect and Richard Selwyn becoming vice president.

With more than 30 years’ experience, Savage has worked across student lets, as well as diplomatic and premium leases. This is his second term as president and he is also the current chairman of Simplify Housing Limited. Since his last term in 2015/16 Savage has been actively involved in Propertymark operations, and has also been involved in launching a new software tool to help with the government’s building information modelling (BIMs) initiative.

Mark Bentley succeeds Katie Griffin as president of NAEA Propertymark, with Lauren Scott now president Elect and Ian Westerling becoming vice president.

Bentley became a member of NAEA Propertymark 36 years ago, and has 41 years of sector experience. In 1996, he joined Paul Carr Estate Agents as a director and for the last 22 years has helped expand the company to become the largest independent estate agency in the West Midlands.

David Cox, chief executive, ARLA Propertymark, said: “Our thanks go to Sally Lawson, who, in a year of change for the lettings industry, has been steadfast in defending agents against constant critique from politicians and the media.

“We welcome Peter Savage to his second term as president and I look forward to working closely with him again as we help steer our members through the impending tenant fees ban.”

Mark Hayward, chief executive, NAEA Propertymark, added: “As someone who is dedicated to raising standards within the industry, we thank Katie for her commitment during her time as president.

“Mark Bentley brings a wealth of experience to the role and prides himself on the service estate agents provide consumers – I look forward to working with him.”