AroundtheBlock

Success and succession: Over the years the annual convention of the Irish Home Builders Association (IHBA) invariably ended up with a lot of heated discussions about planning issues and government taxation.

This year the event, which kicks off in Killarney today, is considerably more relaxed, and the line-up of speakers shows that things have moved on quite considerably for the builders. After the longest running housing boom ever seen in this country, they've emerged as one of the wealthiest groups in the land and with many of them moving towards retirement, the mundane issues are no longer too relevant. However, managing their wealth and passing on a good bit to their children is. For that reason the IHBA has engaged a whole posse of tax experts from BDO Simpson Xavier to enlighten its members on how to manage wealth in a family business and how to handle succession. This should be of considerable interest to a high number of family firms where the second and third generations are taking increasing responsibility.

Agents branch out: It's a sign that property is still performing exceptionally well when you see estate agency branches opening up. This is what's happening in several Dublin suburbs, with established names extending their reach into both new and old areas. HOK Residential has signed a lease on premises on the Triangle in Ranelagh, and will be opening there at the end of June to grab a slice of the lucrative Dublin 6 market. The agency also plans to open two more branches before the end of the year, possibly in Dundrum and in the Dún Laoghaire area. Meanwhile Sherry FitzGerald Lewis Beirne, which has branches in Castleknock and Lucan, is pushing out to Clonee, where an estimated 10,000 houses will eventually be built. It's also about to open a branch in Tallaght, where there there are several agents. Directors David Lewis and Joe Beirne have seen their business thrive since they broke away from the mother ship in Merrion Row just after September 11th, 2001.

Lamb springs first sale: Celia Lamb of Ganly Walters' new stud farm division has notched up her first sale, a before-auction deal that will help kick-start her new career. Colbinstown Lodge Stud - on 62 acres of Kildare countryside near Rathsallagh - made close to €3 million for well-known equestrians Ben and Harriet Jellett, who intend taking things a bit easier on the proceeds. The buyer's identity remains a secret, other than that it's a leading figure in the stud farm business. The appointment of Celia Lamb continues a pattern established when dairy farmer Aideen Gilsenan-Mackey took over the farms division at Ganly Walters.

As a qualified equestrian instructor and skilled horsewoman, Lamb is ideally suited to working with stud farm property.

Celia grew up in historic Castletown House and is connected to Tullynally through her grandmother, Lady Pansy Lamb, so she will fit seamlessly into the country house horsey scene.

Onwards and upwards. Meanwhile, Ganly Walters director Robert Ganly has been elected IAVI vice-president, and this means he is now in line for the top job when current president James O'Halloran steps down in 2006/7.

Robert will be the third Ganly Walters director to run for the presidential office. His uncle, the late Arthur Ganly, presided in 1948 and the company's current managing director Paul McDowell was president in 1997.