Mayo woman is new president of national body

South Mayo woman Kay McGuire has been elected to the role of president of the Institute of Professional Auctioneers and Valuers (IPAV).

The organisation, which represents more than 1,500 auctioneers, valuers and estate agents across Ireland, held its annual business conference in Galway on May 15th last.

From Kilmaine, Kay managing director of Galway Property Services. Having returned to college in 2014, she was awarded Student of the Year from DIT (now TU Dublin) and attained a Distinction in a Higher Certificate in Property Studies. She currently presents continuing professional development (CPD) modules on Property Management for IPAV and is a lecturer on the IPAV Higher Certificate course at TU Dublin.

Genevieve McGuirk, Chief Executive of IPAV said Kay brings not just experience and leadership, but a deep commitment to people. “Anyone who has worked with Kay knows she is generous with her time, open with her knowledge, and always willing to support others to progress. She combines strong commercial judgement with a genuine belief in the value of our profession and the people in it.”

In an uplifting speech that commanded a standing ovation from fellow professionals, industry representatives and others, Ms McGuire called for zero VAT rating for those self-building and first-time buyers, and better collaboration across the industry.

“The Irish property landscape, spanning residential sales, lettings, and facilities management is a sector defined by significant challenges right now,” she said. “And our profession sits at the very heart of our economy, our communities, and most importantly, our futures.” 

The new IPAV president said while there is positivity, ”beneath this positivity lies a structural issue that we cannot ignore - supply and the cost of supply”. She said governments in recent years have continued to make changes to legislation that have changed the market from an open free one to a now somewhat controlled market. These changes, while well intentioned, are in ways counterproductive, she said.

“While one type of property investor is encouraged into the market, significant numbers of smaller investors are being driven from the market by increasing regulation, rising costs, a far tougher tax regime than large landlords, and most significantly, policy uncertainty,” she said.

Costs of both materials and labour have escalated exponentially, she said, even before the current war in the Middle East. Fuel price rises in recent months have compounded this yet further, hence the need for a zero VAT initiative for a period.

She said facilities and property management is an area that is often less visible, but vital, and it is reporting significant difficulties in sourcing and retaining licensed staff. 

“As the built environment becomes more complex, the role of professional management has evolved significantly. Facilities management today is no longer just about maintenance - it is about sustainability, efficiency, tenant experience, and long-term asset value,” she said.

Ms McGuire said one of her primary objectives would be to create better collaboration across the industry to shine a light upon and address these challenges.

MEP Maria Walsh briefed delegates on EU developments on housing policy, saying an issue that had once been viewed as a national issue is now firmly EU policy, with an EU Commissioner dedicated specifically to the issue.