The Guild of Property Professionals hails success of Financial Sanctions Webinars with over 450 Member Attendees - Blog

The Guild of Property Professionals hails success of Financial Sanctions Webinars with over 450 Member Attendees

The Guild of Property Professionals hails success of Financial Sanctions Webinars with over 450 Member Attendees

Compliance Update Paul Offley, The Guild's Compliance Officer 6th May 2025

The Guild of Property Professionals is celebrating the resounding success of its recent webinar series focused on upcoming Financial Sanctions legislation, which saw impressive engagement with over 450 Members participating throughout April. Hosted by Guild Compliance Officer Paul Offley, the sessions provided crucial, timely guidance for lettings agents preparing for new compliance requirements.

 

The webinars addressed the significant changes impacting the lettings sector, specifically the new requirement effective from 14 May 2025 for all lettings agents to conduct UK Financial Sanctions checks and report suspected breaches to HM Treasury’s Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation (OFSI).

 

Led expertly by Paul Offley, the informative sessions covered key areas vital for Member preparedness, including:

 

• A clear explanation of Financial Sanctions and why lettings agents are now included in the scope.

• Practical demonstrations on how required checks can be effectively carried out.

• An outline of the serious implications and potential penalties for failing to comply.

• A dedicated Q&A segment allowing Members to address specific concerns directly with the Compliance Officer.

 

“The introduction of these new regulations is a significant change for the lettings sector, and it was vital that our Members were fully prepared,” said Offley. “The high attendance across the April webinars, with over 450 Members joining us, demonstrates the importance of this topic and our Members' commitment to upholding the highest standards of compliance. We are delighted with the positive engagement and feedback, reinforcing The Guild's role in providing timely and essential support.”

 

This successful webinar series underscores The Guild's ongoing commitment to supporting its network. By equipping Members with the necessary knowledge and tools, The Guild helps them navigate complex regulatory landscapes confidently, maintain compliance, and mitigate potential risks associated with the new Financial Sanctions regime.

 

Failure to comply with the upcoming legislation could result in serious consequences, including substantial fines or legal action. The proactive education provided through these webinars ensures Guild Members are well-positioned to implement the necessary procedures ahead of the deadline.

 

Paul Offley, The Guild's Compliance Officer

Paul Offley joined The Guild in 2017 as our in-house Compliance Officer, to help Members stay on top of legislation. Paul’s career has maintained a focus in estate agency for over 40 years, building a specialist knowledge in the compliance function. Paul helps Members to reduce the probability of any risk materialising by working alongside agents to identify areas where the business is at a high risk of exposure. Guild Members have compliance tools at their disposal and are regularly presented with updated information on the latest legislation requirements. Paul is also on hand to speak to agents individually, delivering quality and high standards to all our Members. Paul has been providing continual support to The Guild Members throughout COVID-19, from legislation and Government updates, to providing indispensable and personalised advice through Facebook Live. He is passionate about raising standards, and is part of The Property Ombudsman Industry Forum.

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