January 6, 2025 – Happy New Year! As RIBO’s new Council President, I extend my warmest wishes to all our members and their families for a year filled with health, success, and fulfillment. This is a time for reflection and renewal, and at RIBO, it is also a time to look forward with excitement and determination.
RIBO proactively responds to shifts in the regulatory landscape, continuously monitoring developments to ensure that our strategies remain aligned with the profession’s evolution. As we enter the final year of our 2022-2025 Strategic Plan, Council is set to outline the organization’s priorities for the next three years.
Last year, we successfully launched the IRIS Registry Management System, enabling brokers to manage licenses and updates more seamlessly. We are pleased that most brokers adapted quickly to the new system, and we are committed to refining it further based on your feedback.
Our digital modernization continues with a fresh look and feel for our website launching later this year, including updates to align the IRIS colour scheme with RIBO’s evolving brand identity. These changes reflect our ongoing commitment to making interactions with RIBO more user-friendly and efficient.
Ethics and professionalism remain the bedrock of our industry. As we introduce new compliance tools this year, we’re enhancing public protection by ensuring prospects have access to even more transparent and detailed information about brokers. These updates not only bolster consumer confidence but also provide brokers with the tools to demonstrate their integrity and commitment to service. Together, we uphold the values that set us apart: integrity, fairness, and accountability.
I am particularly heartened by the engagement of our broker community. This past year saw a record number of applications for Council positions, highlighting the dedication and enthusiasm of our members in defining the future of regulation for our profession. Your voices and perspectives are invaluable, and I urge you to continue participating in dialogues, whether through town halls, surveys, or direct feedback.
I would also like to take this opportunity to recognize our CEO, Patrick Ballantyne, who has announced his retirement from the role after 20 years of dedicated service. Patrick’s leadership has been instrumental in modernizing RIBO and ensuring its relevance in a rapidly changing landscape. His contributions to our organization have been invaluable, and we extend our deepest gratitude for his commitment and vision. He will be retiring in June 2025, and we wish him all the best in this next chapter.
A key priority for Council is the search and selection of RIBO’s next CEO. This is only the fifth in our organization’s history. The new leader will have big shoes to fill in upholding our values, building upon Patrick’s remarkable legacy, and guiding our team through the next Strategic Plan and beyond.
Warm regards,
Thomas D. Watson, CD, CIP
RIBO Council President