Honour for years of dedicated duty

Ken, who is a consultant at McAndrew Martin chartered surveyors, was awarded Honorary Life Membership by the Portsmouth Property Association (PPA).

Former PPA chairman Ken received the accolade in recognition of his long service and dedication to the property sector and the PPA.

Ken, who has more than 40 years’ experience, said: ‘It’s a tremendous honour to be recognised by my peers in this way and my sincere thanks go to all at the PPA.

‘Although the industry has changed in many ways over the years, the PPA’s commitment to excellence among its membership has remained the same.

‘I, and all at McAndrew Martin, look forward to continuing to support the PPA as it champions the industry and helps Portsmouth prosper.’

Ken, who was PPA chairman in 1997, founded Veness Chartered Surveyors in 1973.

The Cosham firm served clients across south Hampshire and West Sussex.

In 2014 Veness Chartered Surveyors merged with McAndrew Martin, which is a member of the PPA.

Ken and staff, including chartered surveyor Alf Wilmhurst, moved to McAndrew Martin’s offices at the Fairway Business Centre in Portsmouth.

Neil Hawkins, who is secretary at PPA, said: ‘This honour is richly-deserved recognition of Ken’s distinguished long service and outstanding contribution to the PPA, the property sector and the city.’

McAndrew Martin director Ian Lee is also a former PPA chairman. Ian, Ken, Alf and McAndrew Martin managing director Bill McAndrew are all fellows of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS).

Ian said: ‘Ken has played a key role in driving the firm forward over the past 18 months and we’re looking forward to seeing him continue to play an integral part in our business success in the future.’

The PPA has 147 members. It draws together all kinds of property-related businesses – including chartered surveyors, estate agents and lettings agents – into a single, recognised professional body. Go to portsmouthproperty.co.uk