Property Ombudsman appoints two industry figures to board
The Property Ombudsman (TPO) has appointed two new industry non-executive directors to its board.
Jan Hÿtch and Bill Cooper join with backgrounds spanning estate agency, lettings, professional standards, governance and consumer redress.
Hÿtch has more than 35 years’ experience in residential property. She has previously served as a director of Propertymark and as a member of the RICS UK Residential Board.
She has also worked as an external adjudicator for the Tenancy Deposit Scheme. Earlier in her career, she spent 30 years as a partner at Arnolds Keys LLP.
Hÿtch has been a member of TPO’s Industry Forum since 2018. She is currently member services manager at Propertymark, where she leads its national member support services.
Cooper also has more than 35 years’ experience, combining property with business leadership and governance.
He was previously an equity partner at Deloitte and KPMG. His work included advising management boards and senior leadership teams on strategy, governance and organisational change.
More recently, Cooper owned and operated the Martin & Co lettings and property management business in Oxford.
During eight years as a franchisee, the business expanded through organic growth and the acquisition of three lettings agencies.
His ownership of a TPO-registered agency also gave him direct experience of the ombudsman’s complaints and redress procedures.
Cooper remains involved in residential property as a landlord, investor and adviser. He is also a Propertymark member.
Claire Bassett, chair of The Property Ombudsman board, said: “Both Jan and Bill bring a wealth of experience from across the property sector, alongside a strong understanding of governance, professional standards and the importance of effective consumer redress.
“Their knowledge and insight will be a real asset to TPO as we continue to strengthen our work for consumers and property businesses across the UK. I look forward to working with them both.”
The appointments add further property and governance experience to the board as TPO continues to provide independent redress for consumers using property businesses.
Former Barratt Redrow boss joins Rightmove board in double appointment
Rightmove has appointed former Barratt Redrow chief executive David Thomas to its board as part of a leadership reshuffle that will also see Rosemary Leith become senior independent director.
Thomas, who stepped down as Barratt Redrow’s group chief executive last month, will join the property portal as an independent non-executive director on 1 January 2027.
Leith joined Rightmove’s board as a non-executive director on 1 October and will take up the senior independent director role on 1 January.
The appointments coincide with the departure of two existing board members. Amit Tiwari retired on 30 September, while current senior independent director Jacqueline de Rojas will leave on 31 December.
Thomas brings extensive experience of the UK housebuilding sector. He joined Barratt as group finance director in 2009 and became chief executive in 2015.
He oversaw the housebuilder’s £2.5bn merger with Redrow in 2024. Although he stepped down as chief executive on 21 September, he will remain with the business in an advisory capacity until March 2027.
Thomas has also served as a non-executive director of the Home Builders Federation and chaired the Future Homes Hub. He is a member of the government’s Net Zero Council.
Leith brings experience in technology, digital governance and financial services. Her previous non-executive roles include positions at HSBC UK, YouGov and Intermediate Capital Group.
She is currently a board member of Swiss technology company Proton AG and a trustee of BAFTA. She also co-founded the World Wide Web Foundation in 2009.
Both appointees will serve on Rightmove’s audit, remuneration, nomination and corporate social responsibility committees.
Andrew Fisher, Rightmove’s chair, said the appointments would strengthen the board’s technology and property-sector expertise as the portal develops its AI and digital services.
He said: “Rosemary’s deep experience at the frontier of technology and digital governance will be invaluable in helping us maintain our position as a thought leader in this space.
“David brings significant leadership experience of the UK’s largest housebuilders, giving the Board first-hand insight into the property industry and customers we serve.”
Thomas said: “Throughout my career in the residential property sector, I have seen first-hand the important role Rightmove plays for consumers, estate agents, and housebuilders.
“I look forward to bringing my industry experience to the Board and working with the management team as the business continues to innovate and develop its leading position.”
Fisher also thanked de Rojas and Tiwari for their contributions during their time on the board.
Former LMS chief executive takes on two senior industry roles
Former LMS chief executive Nick Chadbourne has joined Novus Strategy as non-executive chair, just months after announcing his departure from the conveyancing services provider.
The appointment coincides with Chadbourne taking over as chair of the Conveyancing Association, giving him two new senior roles in the homebuying sector.
Chadbourne, who led LMS from 2017 until announcing his departure in June, will help shape Novus Strategy’s direction as the consultancy expands its work with mortgage lenders.
His appointment follows the launch of Pathfinder, a mortgage journey simulation platform designed to help lenders assess potential changes to their processes before committing investment.
The platform, unveiled at Novus’s Digital Disruption Live event in Manchester last month, allows lenders to model the impact of proposed changes and identify areas for improvement.
Chadbourne has nearly 30 years of experience across lending, conveyancing and insurance. He previously held senior positions at HBOS, Birmingham Midshires, Freedom Finance and Amity Financial Solutions.
He was also a founding board member of the Open Property Data Association (OPDA).
Chadbourne said: “Novus pairs deep industry and subject matter expertise with a unique way to test change before committing to it. That gives lenders and enterprise businesses the tools to prioritise and then deliver successful change with maximum impact.
“With significant reform facing our industry over the coming years, Novus is the perfect partner to support it and I’m thrilled to be joining as Chair.”
Chris Williams, founder of Novus Strategy, said Chadbourne’s industry experience would support the consultancy’s expansion.
He commented: “We’re entering an important stage of growth. Pathfinder is now live with lenders, our work across the market is growing and the industry itself is moving quickly. But ultimately, all of this has to translate into a better experience for people buying and selling homes.
“Having Nick around the table gives us another experienced voice as we help lenders transform the mortgage journey and make the decisions that will shape the next stage of Novus.”
