The event was sponsored by Pickfords with additional sponsorship from Bishop’s Move, ACS International Schools, International School of London and Relocation Support Services.  The conference and awards dinner were introduced by Tad Zurlinden, CEO of ARP.   

The awards had been preceded during the day by a conference programme that included a presentation by Pickfords, sessions on mobility compliance, immigration and sales strategies.    

The Keynote address was provided by Dave Coplin, Chief Envisioning Officer from Microsoft who looked at ‘Why Work isn’t Working’.  His presentation provided a call to action for both individuals and organisations to harness, not hate, the digital revolution and to take back control of the potential that technology offers society.  

The afternoon session was dominated by a plenary session entitled Vision Meets Reality in which panelists Andrew Scott (Dwelworks), Marco Previero (R3Location), Johnathan Hopper (Garrington) and Jo Layton (The Apartment Service), under the direction of moderator Simon Johnston (Icon Relocation) looked at some of the key issues facing the relocation industry today and in the future.  

The guest speaker for the evening awards was Andrew Elliman.  As reported in The Mover in September, Andrew recently took part in a Guinness World Record on Everest to hold the world’s highest ever dinner party.  The attempt was to raise money for Community Action Nepal, a charity dedicated to helping the mountain people of the country.  Sadly the attempt was cut short by the devastating earthquake that hit Kathmandu.  Andrew and his team were fortunate to get away without injury when an avalanche ploughed into base camp.  Andrew spoke of the emotions he felt and of his pride and gratitude to his family for their support.   

Outstanding Contribution to the Relocation Industry 

Tad Zurlinden presented the award for Outstanding Contribution to the Relocation Industry to Carla Roundell Greene.  He said that without her contribution the relocation and mobility industry in the UK might look very different. 

He explained that in a ground-breaking move back in the early 1980s Carla set out to sell destination services to the unsuspecting City of London. With initial successes she went on to build a unique business, which was duplicated by other entrepreneurs and then in the early 1990s the RMCs. 

Carla is the longest serving member of the ARP.  Tad said he first met her in June 1986.  Soon after that, Carla became a Board Member and is unique in serving twice as the ARP Chair. She still serves as an honorary member of the Board.  Carla has remained a solid supporter of the core values of the Association ever since and has ensured that it has continued its path in serving the members’ needs.  

Tad said that it was during Carla’s second term as chairman that he was approached by the French Association the SNPRM about the formation of a European Association.   EuRA has since become a great global success.  


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