Managing Director of CPS Property and National Advisory Council representative of The Guild of Property Professionals in Northern Ireland, Art O’Hagan, has been appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2024 New Year Honours List.
The prestigious 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.
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.
Surprised and humbled
Recounting the moment he found out, O’Hagan commented: “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.”
He added: “I am truly honoured and humbled to be recognised by the Crown. 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.”
Iain McKenzie, CEO of The Guild of Property Professionals, congratulated O’Hagan on his achievement: “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.”
CPS is also a multi-award winner at The Negotiator Awards, taking home accolades for Regional Agency of the Year and Medium Estate Agency of the Year in 2024.
