About Us
Profile of the NPA
The NPA was founded in 1892 and incorporated in 1931 as a company limited by guarantee. In June 1989, with the benefit of almost a century of experience, it reviewed and re-wrote its original constitution. The review had several purposes, but was undertaken in particular:
- to take account of the recent expansion of the pawnbroking industry
- to ensure that its affairs and those of its members were more efficiently regulated
- to protect the public interest, especially given the general environment of self-regulation in the financial services sector.
Organisation
The Association is managed by its democratically elected Council and employees a Chief Executive and secretariat staff.
The Council
This consists of four Officers of the Association (the President, Past President, Vice-President and Treasurer) and up to fourteen Council members (six of which are Corporate seats of those companies who have the largest annual subscription to the NPA), all of whom are active pawnbrokers.
The Council meets at least three times per year to oversee the affairs of the Association, as part of which it considers any problems which may have arisen, takes all necessary action to maintain the high standards expected from members, and reviews recent changes in the law.
The Chief Executive
The Chief Executive, with his or her staff, manages the day to day running of the Association, creates the annual marketing plan and after gaining approval from the Council sets about delivering the plan. He liaises closely with members, the Council and other industry stakeholders.
