Zoopla is to go on a hiring spree, with plans to take on 120 new employees next year.

The new roles will chiefly cover technology, where new staff will be charged with ‘re-imagining a whole industry’, but there will also be new roles across Zoopla as a whole, including in marketing and business support functions.

CEO Charlie Bryant said: “We have ambitious growth plans for 2020 and the creation of 120 new roles will be vital to us meeting our goals of reinvigorating the home buying process and providing an even better experience for agents.

“While there have no doubt been improvements since the launch of portals, we know customer expectations rightly always increase.

“This is why we believe the process of buying, selling or renting a home is one that could still benefit from both innovation and a renewed focus on improving the customer experience.

“These new hires will bolster the strong teams of property experts we already have across the UK and will help us build a truly unique offer for home hunters and agents alike.”

News of Zoopla’s new recruitment drive has been warmly welcomed by London deputy mayor for business Rajesh Agrawal.

He said: “We want our city to be the best place in the world to grow a business.

“The fact that Zoopla is expanding and creating these new roles – many of which will be based right here in the capital – is great news, and is further evidence that London is open for business.”

Zoopla’s chief technology office Dave Wascha said: “London is a global hub for tech talent and we are very excited to be growing our team here.

“We are looking for highly-skilled experts who are seeking a once-in-a-career opportunity to re-imagine an entire industry.”

The new recruits will boost Zoopla’s total staff count to some 750.

News of Zoopla’s recruitment drive was strictly embargoed until 4pm yesterday afternoon, but the embargo was ignored by some titles.