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The man behind the association AFPOP (Association for Foreign Property Owners in Portugal) is arguably one of the most recognisable acronyms in southern Portugal and is one of the key associations used by foreigners when re-locating to Portugal. However, and despite containing the word ‘Foreign’ in its name, an increasing number of Portuguese have sought the assistance of AFPOP, many of whom consequently have became members as a result of the service provided.
AFPOP’s CEO, Michael Reeve is not known for mincing his words and is rather to the point. Jovial, fun-loving, proud of his time at the British Navy and Nottinghamshire police, it is quite evident that he loves his job and what he is able to achieve on a daily basis. “If I thought I wasn’t helping people I wouldn’t be here, I would be doing something else which was more lucrative”, he reveals, adding: “This job is worth what it’s worth, but it’s not worth what it’s paid”. “Do I think I’m paid market rate? I would have to answer no. But that’s not what it’s about. You’ve got like helping people, you’ve got to be interested in people and put in a little bit extra.” So how did he go from working in Nottingham to being AFPOP CEO in the Algarve? “I have always had this unsettled side to me. I was tired of the grey environment and the politics” involved with police work, so Michael and his wife decided to pack up and leave for sunnier climes. “A friend of mine suggested I join AFPOP when I arrived here, saying the association would be able to help with buying a car and dealing with other issues”, he explains. “When I arrived at the AFPOP offices, they were advertising what was to become my job”, he recalls, and while he obtained the necessary information he had gone for in the first place, he says: “I applied at the end of February and I was working at AFPOP in March.” Speaking of his role at AFPOP, Mr. Reeve humbly accepts that he does not have the monopoly on all good ideas. “Some of the ideas I’ve presented were only good in my head really, and I had to accept that”, he says about some of the suggestions he has made to the association’s management council. He adds: “You would really not know that they were unpaid if you were to sit a management council meeting. There are certainly no passengers.” The economic crisis has also had an effect on AFPOP, but Michael Reeve says the association has fared better than anticipated. “We are a little bit down this year in relation to last year. We have around 5,800 members and we usually fluctuate between 5,900 and 6,300 members. We have come through far better than we thought we would. We expected to be in a much worse situation than we were at the end of last year.” Speaking of the thorny issue of the joint venture committee, which caused huge controversy at AFPOP at the start of the millennium, he says it served as a lesson to the association which is still applied today. “While I wasn’t there at the time, I have read a lot about it. As an objective outsider, I think it was just a misunderstanding, but there was a lot of suspicion. “Those with a real interest become very protective of the association. It can be a good thing, especially as it ensures the association doesn’t steer away from its ethos.” However, the opposite is true when it comes to presenting new ideas which often results in suspicion and resistance to change. I do believe the idea wasn’t sold very well.” Michael further recalls, “Friends fell out and people stopped speaking to each other and the association did very well to come out of that position. But there are many wounds which I believe will never heal.” As for the lessons learnt from the infighting, Michael explains some of the issues they have managed to deal with successfully since. “When we changed logos, members voiced their opposition, saying it was the joint venture committee all over again. But it was nothing to do with that, we were just trying to modernise the association and I think we did that, though people remained sceptical. The past has helped in that whenever we present a new idea we do it as open as frankly as possible, not that they weren’t doing so in the past. But we have learnt from that and we invite people to express their views and are open to discussions.” But while AFPOP boasts close to 6,000 members, “only 34 people were at the last AGM, and 18 had to be there!” Speaking of members, Mr. Reeve explains that when he became AFPOP CEO in March 2003, the average age was 70. “Now, it is 60 and we are continuously recruiting younger people.” Around 65% of AFPOP members are British or Irish, he says, while a further 18% are German and about 9% are Dutch. “These figures are the same figures as foreigners registered with the SEF Immigration office”, he says, since being told this “We now have further evidence that our association is more representative of demographics in the Algarve. The Civil Governor in Faro confirmed similar figures. “There is a fair split between the information we provide and the member benefits”, says Michael of what the association offers members. “There are many people who join us solely because they want cheap insurance or healthcare, though others join us because people here can assist in issues such as licensing. Others merely like being members as they enjoy the venues and places we visit.” In a recent development, AFPOP has had its public utility status accepted and it will now be presented to the government for approval. “This status will bring us credibility it will also afford us special terms for mortgages and tax breaks.” Michael Reeve also reveals that the association is looking at opening satellite offices. “We are looking at Lagos, Almancil and Tavira”, he says. As for the future of AFPOP, Michael looks ahead with confidence. “This is our 22nd year and we don’t see any reason for not having a 25th or 30th year. If what we are currently experiencing is the worst of it, then we are pretty optimistic about the future.” Brendan de Beer
Edition: 1071 |
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