A property management company is the latest to receive financial backing from the venture capitalists behind online agent eMoov.
POD Management, which claims to be offering a different proposition, has received joint funding from Dragons’ Den star James Caan’s firm Hamilton Bradshaw and serial entrepreneur Faisal Butt’s Spire Ventures.
Standing for Point of Difference, the company has ambitions to manage more than 10,000 units in Greater London and key UK cities by 2022.
David Goldberg, founder of London-based POD, who has been in the industry for over 15 years including stints at Chestertons and Warwick Estates, said customers would have round-the-clock access to staff for both enquiries and emergencies.
Property managers such as private landlords, property investors and fund managers will be able to access online payments and offer maintenance requests over the web for tenants and freeholders.
There will also be a concierge service and offers on home media deals, and discounts for local restaurants, furniture packages and insurance.
Goldberg said: “We want POD to be different. We understand what our customers want and how they want to be dealt with, particularly in what is their most important place, their home. POD will provide a first-class customer experience.”
Cann said: “Ultimately, I am a backer of people, and in David we are backing a confident and proven leader who has created a company that will make us all proud in five years’ time.”
Butt, who will join the board of POD as the lead investor, said: “We are delighted to be partnering with David, who has an outstanding reputation and track record in the property management sector.
“This is an industry known for its operational inefficiencies and low customer satisfaction.
“David’s POD is the right offering at the right time for a sector that needs to change.”
Spire Ventures and Hamilton Bradshaw’s existing property ventures include eMoov, real estate investment company 90 North and furniture supplier Accouter Group.
Comments (2)
Thanks for sharing the great read.
Unless they have very deep pockets to use for acquiring portfolios 10k London properties in 5 years is very ambitious. Landlords are difficult to attract and secure without considerable spend and are also unlikely to migrate away from current services unless something has gone very wrong or you can offer a huge price point difference which is impossible to a high end service offering. Always great to see agents looking to further enhance Landlord & Tenant services in the capital but obtaining the clients and properties, without acquiring businesses, is very hard or incredibly expensive- this is clearly visible by most established (and new competing) brands growing almost exclusively through acquisition- new offices and surrounding marketing are high cost & high risk.