About the NPA

The NPA is a membership organisation which helps to promote pawnbroking best practice. It was established in 1892, so has a long tradition of helping members get the most from their businesses. Despite being around for a long time, it is a modern forward thinking Association using the very latest technology to give the best service to its members. The NPA represents 97% of the pawnbroking trade.

The NPA was established in 1892, and has a long tradition of helping members get the most from their businesses.

The NPA Council is made up of 16 members who are all pawnbrokers and who represent both large commercial chains and independent stores. This mix of people ensures that all parts of the industry are properly represented. The Council meets normally three or four times a year to discuss and agree how the industry can provide a great service when families and companies need help with their finances. The Council also reviews the benefits of membership so that membership is attractive to both new and existing members. It also formulates policies to develop and grow the industry and represents members in front of government departments such as the FCA, BEIS and the Financial Ombusdman Service.

The NPA is there to help members if they have a pawnbroking question they cannot answer and to teach new members how to be compliant with all rules and procedures. The NPA Awards are held annually to celebrate the best in the industry and the NPA Conference is a wonderful forum for networking with other pawnbrokers and learning about the latest developments in the industry.

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 Officers of the Association (the President, Vice-President and Treasurer) in total there are up to sixteen 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 four 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.

NPA Strategy

Mission Values Vision
The professional association promoting the pawnbroking industry for the benefit of members and society. Professionalism and Excellence
Expertise
Fairness and transparency		 NPA will be recognised as the authoritative voice of the pawnbroking profession with pawnbrokers gaining ever greater respect for their professionalism and customer service.
Recognised Voice of the Profession Awareness Governance Support
Government, EU, and other stakeholders turn to NPA as first contact on key decision making To engage with stakeholders including the media, police and politicians to explain pawnbroking Manage Council process and elections and ensure rules and disciplinary processes remain fit for purpose To provide resources and knowledge to ensure members and the profession are always up to date
Engage with decision makers and campaign on issues affecting members To improve understanding of , and engage with, customers Regularly review risk and controls Provide web based support and online qualifications and training provision to offer members proof of training and professional development

Key Facts

NPA - Key Facts at a glance
How many members In excess of 1,200 outlets
How long has the NPA been established Since 1982
Safeguard Produces an operations manual and a code of conduct for members.
Is pawnbroking regulated? Pawnbroking is part of the credit industry and is regulated alongside banks and other lenders by the FCA.
1980's Credit boom Customers now preferring the speed and convenience of pawnbroking for small cash sums over other High Street lenders.
What does the NPA provide? Guidance, from legal to marketing to security to insurance and deals.
NPA Links Department for Business Innovation Energy and Skills, the Financial Conduct Authority, Trading Standards, Financial Ombudsman, Home Office & Police Constabularies.
Media National and local radio, newspapers and television, gaining considerable free and high profile advertising for the industry and its members.
Resources The NPA produces a quarterly magazine, The Pawnbroker, along with e-Newsletters to keep its members and other industry stakeholders in touch with what is happening.