A new director has been appointed to the board of Agents’ Mutual as it seeks to establish its credentials  more widely.

He is Clive Rook, managing director of Newcastle-based independent 17-branch firm Rook Matthews Sayer.

Agents’ Mutual has come under fire for being seen as primarily an upmarket, London-oriented venture.

However, Rook is a major figure in the north-east, where he was also instrumental in setting up an agent-owned publishing venture, designed to combat the monopoly power exercised by the local newspaper group.

Rook has nearly 40 years experience as a surveyor and estate agent, most as principal in his own firms. He has twice built up agency businesses from scratch, including his current firm which has grown over 24 years to become one of the largest and most successful in the region.

A spokesperson for Agents’ Mutual said: “All directors of Agents’ Mutual Ltd are unpaid. They are intent on creating a sustainable, agent-controlled, low-cost alternative to the existing major portal duopoly as they believe this is fundamental to the future health of the industry they operate in.”

Paul Jarman of Savills, and a director of Agents’ Mutual, said: “We are delighted to welcome Clive as a director.

“His appointment adds to the diversity of representation and perspectives around the board table and further reinforces our commitment to create a fully national portal serving all agents in the UK residential property markets.”