Art O’Hagan, Managing Director of CPS Property and National Advisory Council representative of The Guild of Property Professionals in Northern Ireland, has been appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2024 New Year Honours List.
The award recognises his outstanding contributions to business, the property sector, and the community in Northern Ireland over four decades.
O’Hagan qualified as a Chartered Accountant at 23 years old and then completed a law degree at 26 years old.
He founded CPS Property in 1987 and has been a pillar of the Northern Ireland business community, demonstrating remarkable resilience and leadership.
EXTENSIVE CHARTIABLE WORK
The honour acknowledges not only his success in building one of the region’s most respected property firms but also his extensive charitable work and his 30-year service as a Lay Magistrate for the Judicial Services of Northern Ireland.
O’Hagan (main picture, right) says: “I am truly honoured and humbled to be recognised by the Crown. This award is a testament to a lifetime’s work, from my role as a Lay Magistrate in the family and juvenile courts to my advocacy for our local high streets.
“Above all, it’s an acknowledgement of the charitable work I have been involved in over the past 40 years, which has always been incredibly important to me.”
COMPLETE SURPRISE
The news came as a complete surprise and O’Hagan recounts the moment he found out.
“I received a phone call on the morning of the 27th of December from a London number. When they said it was Buckingham Palace and that my name was being put forward for an MBE, I naturally thought it was a wind-up.
“I playfully asked them to call back in a couple of hours to give myself time to process it. When they did call back and discussed the protocol, the reality began to sink in. The first person I told was my wife, followed by my children, who were all shocked and absolutely delighted.”
ARMAGH ADVOCATE
A passionate advocate for his home city, O’Hagan serves as the chair of Armagh City Centre Management, working to promote and protect the local high street against the challenges of online and out-of-town retail.
His career has been defined by a deep commitment to integrity and navigating the sector through its most challenging times, including the 2008 financial crisis, where his strategic focus on property management ensured the survival and eventual recovery of his firm.
His lasting advice for the next generation is clear: “Honesty, integrity, and professionalism should always be to the fore. Think of how you would like to be treated in the circumstances and go the extra mile. You are only as good as your last deal.”
DESERVED HONOUR
Iain McKenzie (main picture, left), Chief Executive of The Guild of Property Professionals, says: “On behalf of the entire Guild network, I extend my warmest congratulations to Art on this magnificent and richly deserved honour.
“Art’s dedication, integrity, and passion for the property industry are second to none. As the NAC representative for Northern Ireland, he has been a driving force for raising standards and fostering collaboration among our Members.
“This MBE is a fitting recognition of a career dedicated not just to business excellence, but to genuine community service. We are incredibly proud to have him leading our network in the region.”
