It is with great sadness that we learn that Ray Porter passed away on Christmas Eve.
Ray was a stalwart member of the profession; he lived a full life, always putting his family first, but at the same time managing to maintain for over 30 years his position as a senior consultant within what was to become the Watts Group.
In 1983, he established Watts' first office in Central London, expanding his team to focus on commercial property and a wide client base of institutional investors in the days before rise of the pension “mega funds”.
He worked tirelessly to grow the team and to refine its technical due diligence offering. Ray was an expert in dilapidations and also pioneered the development of rights to light software within the firm. He was a long-standing member of the Pyramus and Thisbe Society.
Ray put in many hours with RICS committees developing standards that the profession adopted; he always had a clear idea of when it was necessary to serve the client's interests by giving his own professional opinion, with little heed to potential liability should he be wrong; his opinions were expressed in a manner that helped the client decide.
He was an inveterate networker and known amongst his friends and colleagues for his unique skills in creating business opportunities and cultivating relationships. Ray’s “coincidences” were legendary – but formed of an enquiring mind and a natural ability to talk to people at all levels.
His pastimes included swimming in his pool early every morning before taking the train from Maidstone to be in the centre of London's West End by eight in the morning. He and his wife Barbara loved travel and Ray put in time as a Steward at Maidstone Methodist Church and as Assistant District Commissioner of Maidstone West Scouts. He was school governor, a bereavement counsellor, and an active supporter of a local housing charity.
Ray will be remembered for his professionalism and depth of knowledge; he expected the highest standards of his staff but was thoughtful, kind, and loyal to them in times of adversity.
He is survived by his wife Barbara, his daughter Susan, and son Neil.
Ray Porter FRICS, 13 June, 1939 - 24 December, 2024.