Welcome to the 2007 Property Awards
Celebrating excellence in property
It was a night which made you proud to be a part of the local property industry when the first Archant Property Awards, sponsored by Pure Property, took place.. The exciting event was attended by 300 people, and compered by TV’s Phil Spencer of Location, Location, Location.
A very special award went to a man who has been at the heart of developing the Tops estate agency for almost half a century.
Peter Colby, chairman of Tops (pictured below accepting his award from Phil Spencer), was presented with the Property Industry Lifetime Achievement Award.
The accolade, sponsored by Clydesdale Bank, acknowledged an “outstanding achievement and commitment within the industry and to recognise the respect and gratitude of the recipient’s peers”.
Chris Wood, commercial director for Archant Norfolk, gave a brief presentation about Mr Colby before the award was presented.
He said: “This year the award goes to an outstanding individual, who, as well as having a real impact on the industry, delivering change and innovation in a variety of roles and corporate settings, remains a true gentleman and good friend to many of us here this evening. When we spoke to the industry, this individual’s name was a constant reference in relation to this award, so we’re delighted to, in some small way, acknowledge the winner’s outstanding contribution to the industry.
“Underpinning the success of the business, and indeed of Peter, are some important values: trust, professionalism and integrity. Chairman of the group, and whilst less actively involved in the day-to-day running of the operation, Peter is still a strategic lynch-pin to the business.”
Mr
Colby was educated at Norwich School and joined a large local firm of estate
agents from school in 1961.
Joining Eric S Bush in 1971 as a sales manager for residential property, he quickly rose to become a partner in the firm, and a Freeman of the city.
Mr Colby was also a founding member of the Norwich and District Association of Estate Agents (NDAEA.)
In 1993, Mr Colby was a founding director of Tops, which now has nine offices around the county, with specialist departments including residential sales, auctions, surveys, and mortgages. It has four brands including Tops, Fine and Country, Prestige and Auction House – a service relaunched in 2006.
On collecting the award, Mr Colby gave an inspiring speech about the local industry. He said: “When I started, you could buy a semi-detached for £1,875 and a terrace in the Golden Triangle and get change out of £1,000.”
He went on to remark just how important property is to people; that it is “part of our life” and praised the county. “We are part of something very special… magical things are going on here,” he said.
Mr Colby also emphasised how the price of houses had dramatically risen in the area, with property having a currency of its own. And he gave a rousing speech aimed at all estate agents present: “We have made a huge impact on the economy of Norfolk and we need to be proud of what we are doing – we are making a contribution.”
He concluded by saying how he had been “overwhelmed” that people who were his competitors had voted for him.