Industry veteran Harry Hill has been appointed chairman of a new online lettings business.
Lavanda, launched six weeks ago, describes itself as “the proptech platform shaking up the London lettings market”.
It offers serviced lets, Airbnb management, and personal concierge services to tenants.
The company recently raised £1.3m in a funding round, and claims that hundreds of properties are signed up to it, with revenues growing at 30% month on month.
Hill, the ex-CEO of Countrywide and founder of Rightmove, will join the team to help shape the company’s future strategy and growth.
Hill’s extraordinary CV includes 20 years at Countrywide, ending in 2008, and five years as non-executive director of Rightmove.
According to his LinkedIn profile, he is currently a non-executive director of Clarke Hillyer, which was owned by Robert Ellice until last November. Ellice is director of easyProperty of which Hill was chairman, resigning before its launch because he disagreed with its valuation in relation to a funding round.
Hill is also executive director of the national estate agency chain Hunters.
Hill said of his latest appointment: “The future of residential property has the sharing economy at its heart – a truth that most traditional agents and property managers refuse to acknowledge.
“Lavanda is uniquely positioned to power that future, creating value through luxury hospitality, pioneering technology and proprietary data.
“The company has already made significant inroads, and I look forward to helping them seize further market share.”
“Lavanda co-founder Guy Westlake said: “Harry is an industry pioneer who shares our deep belief in Lavanda’s disruptive potential.
“Our platform unlocks a 10%+ uplift in net profits for landlords while delivering a better, more affordable experience for tenants.
“We create an additional layer of value that traditional agents are structurally unable to replicate.
“I’m delighted to welcome Harry to our board, and excited to have the opportunity to work alongside him as we shape the future of London’s residential lettings market.”
The comments on the story (above) from 2014 made for good reading.
You must be logged in to like or dislike this comments.
Click to login
Don't have an account? Click here to register
I’m worried by the number of online start-ups and how sure they are of succeeding. They will need to stay afloat for a very long time before they can reap any rewards. The market just isn’t there right now.
You must be logged in to like or dislike this comments.
Click to login
Don't have an account? Click here to register
Just to correct one error in the article unrelated to Harry’s new venture, Rob Ellice is no longer owner, nor does he have any financial interest in Clarke Hillyer since a mutually agreed buyout of his interests by other shareholders in 2016.
You must be logged in to like or dislike this comments.
Click to login
Don't have an account? Click here to register
I think many of CW’s ex employees who worked under Mr Hill can confirm just how ‘disruptive’ he can be. I hope someone reminds me to consider graceful retirement when i’m his age.
You must be logged in to like or dislike this comments.
Click to login
Don't have an account? Click here to register