An agent credited with setting up one of the sector’s first compliance departments has joined Chestertons as head of operations.

Lori Thompson, who spent 20 years working at Foxtons and established its compliance department in 2008, has moved to rival Chestertons.

Her LinkedIn profile shows she left Foxtons in July, the same month she set up her own compliance business, and joined Chestertons this month.

She will work with heads of departments to review, streamline and simplify the company’s processes.

Chestertons said she will be especially focused on lettings and compliance and has also been tasked with identifying, testing and implementing new proptech solutions.

The firm earlier this month recruited two former Foxtons agents to its short lets division.

Guy Gittins, managing director of Chestertons, said: “Thompson is the absolute oracle when it comes to compliance. We are very excited to welcome her to the team and look forward to announcing some other exciting changes over the coming months.”

Thompson said: “Consumer attitudes towards compliance have changed. The consumer has come to recognise that compliance is an important consideration when choosing an estate or letting agent. Compliance not only enhances the customer experience but is essential to protecting the consumer against the growing threat of property fraud.

“If an agent isn’t in control of their compliance processes, they put their clients at risk every day.

“On leaving Foxtons, my goal was to find an outlet to use the skills and knowledge that I had developed over the last 20 years, in a way that would be challenging, exciting and rewarding.

“As an energetic, tenacious and highly-motivated company, Chestertons is the perfect opportunity for me to achieve those goals and I am looking forward to enjoying the next chapter of my career with the company.”