I first became aware of FPRA in 1983 when I became the founding Chairman of Eagle Court Residents' Association (ECRA) in 1983. Then, as now, FPRA was providing advice about the formation of residents' associations and helped us with our constitution, Organisation, and gaining legal recognition.

In the mid- 1990s ECRA went through the process of purchasing its freehold. It was a highly complex affair due to our having 57 flats in five blocks; 25 garages (nine rented, 14 on new leases, and two used by the estate); a range of one, two and three bedroom flats; four different versions of the lease (including a version which did not require the leaseholder to pay, or only party pay, the service charges); and 16 different lease lengths. The situation was further complicated by major, 12 months long, building works to stop subsidence and replace the drainage system, in the middle of which the builder went bust.

Despite these obstacles 45 out of 57 flats took part in the initial purchase, and, by selling long leases on some of the garages, we created a fund that has given us the cash flow to enable us to proceed with works prior to collecting the service charges. We had excellent solicitors and a superb valuer/ surveyor (from the managing agent) without whom we could not have succeeded. Another key to our success was the co-operation and hard work by our committee and keeping residents constantly updated about issues. We were also fortunate that our then freeholder Allied London Properties PLC were very co-operative and supportive, having verbally promised some years earlier to let us buy the freehold. They not only kept their promise but when they sold off there other estates they kept ours so that they could sell to us (and at a lower price).

Since the purchase further flats have participated and now 56 out of 57 are shareholders.

After the process of purchasing the freehold I felt I had learnt rather a lot about residents' associations and all the surrounding problems, and after attending FPRA AGMs for several years I responded to appeals for new committee members (especially those from occupations other than law as at that time the committee was rather heavily lawyer based) and joined the committee in 1998.

My occupational background was insurance (ACII) and administration (AFA) being a director of insurance brokers John Ansell & Partners Ltd. At my suggestion John Ansell launched in 1998 its own insurance scheme (with Commercial union, now the Norwich Union) for residents' associations to insure their own blocks, and I was able to use my experiences to help design the scheme to meet the specific needs of residents' associations.

I have answered many members' questions particularly about insurance. I have been able to assist with some of FPRA's administration, and by renegotiating the rental arrangements of the office have saved the FPRA much of its admin cost.

From 27/11/2003 - 2006 I was the FPRA's "Chief Executive" working from home and the Admin office on a part-time basis.

I have helped FPRA in developing new ideas, updating its publications, improving its services to members and generally going through a period of growth & development.

Our membership fees were simplified and I hope standards improve from the already high levels achieved.

In 2000 I retired from both John Ansell and Sustainable Design and Energy Consultants (a firm of architects I founded) due to ill health. As well as doing FPRA work, I have several other commitments including being Vice President of a City of London charity ( I was made a Freeman of the City of London in 1994 because of my charity work) and being on the committees of several local organisations.

Between 2003 and 2006 I established a small business & management consultancy firm providing help and advice to small businesses and organisations (including FPRA) with a diverse range of clients.

In August 2008 I was asked if I would take back the Chief Executives role following the resignation of my predecessor but also to take over the administration role, as a result of which I have organised new offices and new staff and I am in the process of updating systems etc so as to further improve the services provided to the members.

It certainly looks like there’s going to be a very busy period ahead and if any member has any suggestions or ideas, I would be happy to hear from them on my direct email robertlevene@fpra.org.uk.