The Rating Winter Briefing 2027
This in-person Winter Briefing examines the policy, process and practical challenges facing rating practitioners nine months into the current Rating List. Bringing together government, the VOA, VTS and senior practitioners, the programme considers emerging policy, the challenge of managing unprecedented volumes of work, and the practical issues affecting the operation of the rating system.
| Start Date | Venue | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 14 January 2027 | Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer LLP, London | £235 | BOOK |
Note: All prices are to be paid in GBP and are subject to VAT at the prevailing rate
The cyclical nature of Business Rates Revaluations provides a degree of predictability. Yet rating policy seems increasingly susceptible to political resets, while landmark judgments can alter the direction of travel again.
So, whilst the process may be predictable, navigating the practice of business rates can resemble a tacking sail boat - the destination may be known, but getting there is rarely straightforward.
By the time of this event, we will be over 25% through the List. With over 2 million non-domestic hereditaments carrying around £71 billion of rateable value; and that ignores work carried over from the 2023 List and the dregs remaining of the 2017 List - there is a considerable volume of work to be done.
Against that backdrop, this programme seeks to help practitioners navigate the policy, process and practical uncertainties, while exploring ways in which the system can be made to work better.
Speakers Confirmed to Date
- Debbie Warwick MRICS IRRV (Hons), Partner and Head of Rating, Daniel Watney LLP; President of The Rating Surveyors' Association
- Nick Cooper, Technical Specialist (Business Rates), Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government
- Simon Green, Head of Business Rates, Newmark UK; Immediate Past President IRRV; Vice President of The Rating Surveyors' Association
- Myles O'Brien MRICS IRRV (Hons), Partner, Montagu Evans LLP; Immediate Past President of The Rating Surveyors' Association
- Richard Williamson MRICS BSc (Hons) IRRV (Hons), National Head of Rating, WSP Real Estate Services Ltd
- Alan Colston BSc (Hons) MRICS Dip Rating, Chief Valuer, HMRC Valuation Office
- Jack Taylor LLB (Hons) MSc MRICS IRRV (Hons), Director - Rating, Lambert Smith Hampton
Programme
Welcome and Introduction from the Conference Chair
Policy Matters
- The Autumn Budget
- Business Rates avoidance, policy update and the Rossendale and POLL judgements
A View from the Rating Industry
It Is All About the Volume: A Panel Discussion
- Managing multiple rating lists simultaneously
- Prioritisation and workflow management
- CCA and Programming
- Fettered v unencumbered sharing of information
- Programme 2027 style
- Early or late timing
- Resourcing and collaboration
- Inventive Collaborative strategies
- Pre influencing
- Transformation, Transparency and Disclosure
- How the VO is changing its processes, data and engagement with ratepayers and agents.
Valuation Tribunal Service – New Leadership Objectives and Strategies?
Nuts and Bolts of Practice – Making the System Work Better
- Passing rent – how to cater for peppercorn and rent frees
- Gateway frustrations
- Seeking quick wins to sharpen the system for everyone
- What’s happening with regards to ‘a duty to notify’?