Countrywide has announced yet another key departure – this time, of the man appointed only seven months ago as director of transformation.
Andrew Pennells was formerly sales director with Countrywide’s estate agency division.
Last July, as part of Countrywide’s large restructure following a string of departures, the UK’s biggest agency announced: “Andrew will focus on leading the transformational change agenda as part of the Building our Future Programme.”
Pennells – whose departure is seen as highly significant – joined Countrywide in 2005, when it acquired Bradford & Bingley Estate Agents.
A graduate of St Catherine’s Oxford, where he read politics, philosophy and economics, he has been one of only eight people on Countrywide’s executive team, which is headed by CEO Alison Platt.
Platt has made it clear that the Building our Future programme is central to her strategy for turning Countrywide into a strong retail brand.
This morning, Platt said: “After 13 successful years in the Countrywide group, working across a number of roles in estate agency and financial services, Andrew Pennells has decided the time is now right to move to the next stage of his career whilst continuing to work with Countrywide in a number of ventures going forward.”
“I would like to thank Andrew for the contribution he has made to the group having spent much of the last year as Director of Transformation and Change, successfully establishing and leading the first phase of transformation.
“As we enter the second stage of the project the baton is passed to the managing directors within the four business units to further build and lead change capability over the long term.”
I can’t think of anything more ghastly than to work for a company that has a ‘Director of Transformation & Change’. Just the title to make staff feel secure and happy about their futures.
Anyway, it seems the Director himself has been transformed…
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The comments from Ms Platt almost make it seem like it was planned that way, I wonder??
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Would the last person to leave Countrywide, please switch out the lights
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Every little helps, wink wink
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Seriously though that is a good move for Countrywide as he was also only second to Bob in reigning over calamitous changes. Captain calamity and the Titanic Skipper now in the same rowing boat, with just one oar
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Rats leaving a sinking ship spring to mind.
CW have undoubted success over the last 20 odd years but I feel they have lost direction. They are trying to plan for a more digital world but in my opinion going about it all wrong. Not just board members but from what I understand massive turnover in branch personal even more so than usual.
Give it 12 months and I can see a number of ex CW members of staff look at a take over.
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Evidently trouble at mill. Perhaps a new direction for CW the old faces aren’t happy with? Wouldn’t be taking on any new financial liabilities if I were a CW employee these days. Would start practising saying “Every little helps.”
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Remember Halifax estate agency, they used to have to offer applicants restringing a credit card!
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It seems like the changes were either not happening or not going quick enough for Ms Platt.
Having briefly seen the CW machine, it could be very good. Concentrate on the basics and win business properly rather than buying businesses (maybe do both and it’s a win-win)
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