John Antrobus and RICS (“Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors”)
Concerns regarding John Antrobus’ claim to have a degree and his conduct were brought to the attention of RICS the regulatory body for Michael Richards & Company (“MR&Co.”).
Brentford Dock residents have been led to believe by Brentford Dock Ltd. that John Antrobus is an employee of Adam Goldwater’s Michael Richards & Company.
When an inquiry was put to RICS astonishingly they stated that according to information provided to them that John Antrobus “DOES NOT” work for Michael Richards & Company, and as he is not yet a member of RICS they cannot address the concerns put to them.
These statements were questioned in order to dismiss the possibility that this may have been an administrative error by RICS and for RICS to address this with their member firm. RICS maintained their position.
As residents of Brentford Dock know John Antrobus has routinely attended Brentford Dock Ltd. Board meetings and Brentford Dock Ltd. shareholder meetings on behalf of Michael Richards & Co. (which has subsequently been rebranded as Michael Richards Property Management Ltd) alongside Adam Goldwater, Carol Cherriman and previously Roger Smith and Jennifer Illman. In the minutes to these meetings John Antrobus’ presence has been duly recorded as in this example taken from the 11 July 2019 611th Board Meeting: “IN ATTENDANCE FROM MR&CO:” John Antrobus (JA) Adam Goldwater (AG).
Information regarding a RICS member firm is provided to RICS by the company Contact Officer on an annual basis. Contact Officer means the individual designated by the RICS member Firm to be the main liaison point between the Firm and RICS and the person authorised by the Firm to submit the Firm’s Annual Return.
One would assume that any submission by Michael Richards & Co.’s Contact Officer would be accurate and up to date. John Antrobus we are led to believe by RICS is not detailed in the documents submitted to RICS by Michael Richards & Co. John Antrobus has been an employee of MR&Co. for a number of years, and has worked under the following Brentford Dock Ltd. Chairs – Nicky Plant, Leslie Anne Ferber and Veronica Wray.
RICS wrote:
“My response is taken from information in relation to RICS records regarding Michael Richards and Co. and the information they are required to disclose to RICS”.
“John Antrobus is employed by Brentford Dock Estates, he is not shown as an employee of the regulated firm of Michael Richards & Co.”
“Mr Antrobus is not yet a Member of RICS and that he is not shown as an employee of Michael Richards & Co.”
RICS stated that the information that they have on record regarding John Antrobus states that “he works for Brentford Dock Estates”. In response it was pointed out to RICS that Brentford Dock Estate is John Antrobus’ place of work. When pressed again on this matter RICS stated that John Antrobus is not registered as an employee of MR & Co. “Our records do not show Mr Antrobus as being employed at Michael Richards & Co., we have his employment as being at Brentford Dock”.
RICS were provided with clear evidence that John Antrobus is in fact an employee of Michael Richards & Co. For example, Brentford Dock correspondence made it known that John Antrobus and a co-worker were both TUPE over to Michael Richards & Co. after Michael Richards & Co. became Brentford Dock managing agents.
It is public domain information as discussed in an AGM and relayed as such by Brentford Dock Director Paul Booth (Paul Booth – Principal Programme Engineer – Network Rail) who stated – “The situation as I understand it at present is that most of the office staff are directly employed by MR&Co but the salaries and other employment costs are charged back to BDL under the terms of their contract. This covers John Antrobus…”.
Residents have been led to believe that VAT is being charged on these salaries and costs. Why would this be the case if John Antrobus did not work for Michael Richards & Company?
It would appear that these additional charges are being borne by shareholders for no apparent reason.
RICS advised that based on the information provided (by Michael Richards & Co.) any concerns should be forwarded to Michael Richards & Co. (Michael Richards Property Management Ltd) using their Complaint Handling Procedure. In accordance with this advice a question requesting confirmation of John Antrobus’ and Jonathan Wheeldon’s employment was put to Mr Adam Goldwater in a recorded delivery letter. This letter was signed for and went unanswered by Michael Richards & Company and its owner Adam Goldwater to whom the letter was addressed.
Subsequent to the recorded delivery letter of the 11th July of 2019 to Goldwater, it has been stated to residents that John Antrobus now works 3 days a week at Michael Richards Head Office and 2 days a week at Brentford Dock where he is apparently the Estate Manager.
MR&Co. and Brentford Dock Limited (“BDL”) have a track record of making false allegations and statements to a number of residents of Brentford Dock, when these false allegations and statements have come to light and MR&Co. and BDL have been confronted regarding them, they have not responded or substantiated their lies. No doubt Michael Richards & Co. /Michael Richards Property Management Ltd is 100% in collaboration with the Board as Adam Goldwater has stated.
Why would RICS be told that John Antrobus works for Brentford Dock/Brentford Dock Estates and not Michael Richards & Company?
John Antrobus has previously attempted to become IRPM qualified, residents of Brentford Dock were told by the Institute of Residential Property Managers (IRPM) that he did not pass both their examinations enabling him to use the AIRPM post nominal. In regards to the BA (hons) claimed by John Antrobus, Paul Booth Julius and Marcus Court Block Director wrote:
“The problem we have is that he never actually claimed to have a degree, his claim is only that he studied for a degree which, although misleading, is not untrue. It would be a much more serious matter if he had claimed to have a degree.” [SIC]
John Antrobus has applied for membership of RICS. John Antrobus has not replied to an earlier article regarding his qualifications.
Who are residents to trust? Residents are entitled to know the calibre of the staff and the management with which they have to deal; and to be able trust the work and statements of Brentford Dock Ltd Directors or Michael Richards Property Management Ltd.
Regards,
Concerned Brentford Dock Residents