PCA meetings with Chairs of BII Accredited Adviser panels

PCA meetings with Chairs of BII Accredited Adviser panels 

Between December 2024 and March 2025, the PCA met individually with the Chairs of the BII’s 3 accredited adviser panels to understand more about their work and interaction with the Pubs Code. Professional advisers have a duty to preserve the confidentiality of their clients, but understanding common themes without identifying tenants, can support the PCA in its regulatory role for the wider benefit of the regulated industry. 

The PCA is pleased to be undertaking this engagement with the support of the BII. 

Attendees: 

• 4 December – Chair Accountant panel 

• 18 March – Chair Solicitor panel 

• 18 March – Chair Surveyor panel 

PCA - Fiona Dickie and Sian Sankey at each 

Aim of the meetings: for the PCA to understand more about the work of the BII accredited adviser panels - accountants, solicitors and chartered surveyors (valuers) and to gather insights into how the Code is operating. 

Key topics at all 3 meetings included: 

- the BII’s Accredited Adviser scheme, including how the panels operate, recruitment onto panels, assessment of Code knowledge, promotion of the panels to tied tenants and pub-owning businesses 

- the importance of professional advisers (accountants, solicitors and chartered surveyors (valuers)) supporting tenants at specified points in the tenant journey, to ensure Pubs Code rights are understood and adhered to

- raising thematic Code issues with the PCA 

- potential communications 

- further engagement 

The PCA also visited a pub in Smethwick with the Chair of the Accountant’s panel to understand what is involved in the work of their business development manager during scheduled accountancy meetings with a pub operator.