Today (December 29th) is a remarkable day so please indulge me a little.
Fifty years ago today I commenced my career in the world of property.
Whilst I have always joked that I started when I was three, I was actually sixteen and left Harrow County Grammar School to join Wretham and Company in Rayners Lane as a trainee.
I owe an enormous debt of gratitude to Len Wretham for giving me the chance to embark on, what has now been a fifty year journey.
My first job, in my brand new three piece suit, was to climb into the window and clean the artificial snow off the window – no chance of getting too big for my boots there.
My first manager, Nick Whiting, taught me a lot about estate agency, women and drinking and I was a quick learner!
My starting salary was £11.50 a week with an additional £1.50 for working on a Saturday morning.
Under Len and Nick’s guidance, I studied for my ISVA (Incorporated Society of Valuers & Auctioneers) qualifications on a day release basis.
Career moves to Clifford and Clifford and Farr Bedford followed and by the time I was twenty one, not only was I qualified, but I also owned my first property, a brand new one bedroomed apartment in Cowley near Uxbridge.
A significant career move followed when I joined AC Frost and Company and opened their new Uxbridge office as manager in May 1983. I worked my “whatsits” off and in 1984 we exchanged contracts on 262 properties and I was invited to become an Associate Partner. By 1986 I was in charge of further offices at Iver and Hillingdon.
1986 saw AC Frost sell to the Prudential and, at 27, I became their youngest Area Director in the UK. This was a period of rapid growth and expansion and by 1988 I was Regional Sales Director for London and within a further two years, the Regional Director for the newly combined London and Thames Valley Region. A network of some 136 offices.
In 1991 the Prudential decided to exit the world of estate agency and I joined Connells, initially as a Development Director charged with growing the network and then later, having been invited to join the main board, I was a main driver behind the set up and growth of their conveyancing operation (Including acquiring and becoming a Director of Conveyancing Direct) and the creation of Rightmove (we invested £1.1 million for a 10% share). I also assumed responsibility for marketing and PR and training. There were many achievements along the way but leading the raising of £100,000 for the NSPCC one year was a particular highlight.
In 2000 I completed an MBA at Reading University. A joint investment by myself and Connells that I completed in just 18 months in my spare time and which was to change the course of my career.
By this time I had become a Fellow of RICS by dint of the merger with ISVA (where I had reached the office of Vice President – missing out on my year as President because of the merger, although I did become a member of RICS General Council and the inaugural chair of the Residential Faculty). I also, at some stage, (my memory doesn’t tell me when) became a Fellow of NAEA and ARLA.
My MBA research dissertation was a huge project entitled – E-Commerce: Opportunity or Threat? Research into the future implications for residential estate agency in England and Wales. It achieved an A grade but, crucially, it transformed my thinking about the future direction of the industry.
In 2003 I left Connells and set up Integra Property Services. Initially as what would now be described as a hybrid agency and then latterly as a consultancy and training organisation to others in the industry.
Integra has been recognised by many awards over the years – ESTAS, Negotiator, EA Masters but, on a personal level, being named as the recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award at The Negotiator Awards in 2023 was the undoubted highlight.
I now have over 1500 industry clients and most of the aforementioned awards were achieved by votes from them – thank you.
My charitable activity has always run alongside my career – I was a member of Round Table for over twenty years (I was Chair of both Uxbridge and the Middlesex Area during my time) and also won the best speaker at the national debating contest in 1997.
I have already mentioned the £100,000 I helped raise with Connells for the NSPCC but more recently (in 2020) I was invited by Michael Bruce to become one of the Founder Members of Agents Together and I remain closely involved as a Director/Ambassador. In 2023 I was invited and became a Director and Trustee at The Propertymark Trust.
Personal development and education has always been close to my heart and I was Chair of the members of a multi academy trust (QED) until a merger with a larger multi academy trust in 2025. I was subsequently invited and accepted a role as a Governor at Harefield Academy Trust school.
In 2021 I underwent a triple heart by-pass and the last few years have seen me undertake a number of walking fund raisers for Diabetes UK (I have been diabetic for over 35 years and this undoubtedly contributed to my heart issue) and, with the support of my friends in the industry, have raised in excess of £7500 in the last three years.
This year I further indulged my great passion for music (I undertake around 40 plus open mic and other gigs every year) with the release of a charity Christmas single with all monies going to Diabetes UK and The Propertymark Trust. The song (and brilliant video by Toby Martin) has been well received with approaching 2000 streams and views and a gross income (there are sadly some platform fees that will reduce the net income) in excess of £2000 to date. Kylie may have beaten me to the number one slot but the charities will benefit significantly more from my efforts.
I also have a number of original songs available across all of the streaming platforms (please check them out) and March 2026 will see the release of my album – Prodigal Son.
Anyway, this synopsis really only scratches the surface of the last fifty years but I would like to thank my wife (the FD) , my children, grandchildren and friends for their support as well as everyone I know in the industry who has been part of my journey to here.
I have always tried to live by the maxim that “you can have anything you want in life providing you just help enough other people achieve what they want in life”
Whilst I may have received the recognition of a lifetime achievement award two years ago, there is definitely still more to come and more to achieve.
Thank you
Michael S Day MBA FRICS FNAEA FARLA
