Well-known industry figure Vince Courtney – formerly of Romans – has been appointed to the executive board of one of Romans’ rivals.
Courtney’s departure from Romans appears to be just one of a number of recent high-level exits.
Courtney, whose own departure after over 21 years was announced in March, has now become sales director of Reading-headquartered Haslams.
At Romans he held a very similar role, after helping grow the business from four to 28 offices and making it one of the most successful and high-profile agencies in the UK.
Steve Woodford, managing director of Haslams, which has a pedigree going back 180 years, said: “Vince is an industry heavyweight and one of the most respected agents in the industry.
“Whilst other estate agents may be struggling, we continue to return double-digit growth each year and our plans are to grow by 100% over the next three years.
“Vince will further strengthen our executive team and be central to us achieving our exciting plans.”
Courtney said: “I am very excited about joining Haslams. It has one of the very best reputations in the business.”
There have been a number of other top-level departures from Romans, including that of financial services director Greg May, who left in July after over 18 years.
Two other senior executives are also said to have gone. They are Peter Loverdos, who apparently left last month, and Jon Roberts, said to have left at the end of May.
Loverdos was chief operating officer at the Leaders Romans Group.
Roberts was director of residential sales, and was with Romans for almost 20 years.
One of the group’s branch managers has also recently departed: Chris Cannon is now manager for competitor Chancellors at its Windsor office.
Meanwhile director Peter Fuller, who joined Romans in its very early years, in 1991, looks to be launching a new business: http://www.pfpc.co.uk/
We did invite the Leaders Romans Group to comment.
A source told us: “Romans is not a happy camp at the moment.”
Leaders and Romans merged in 2016, with the group backed by Bowmark Capital.
Comments (4)
Always the way when there is a new Caesar (do you like the historic pun Bowmark Capital) Romans are profitable, but turnover is down £10m and profits down too…rest assured those bean counters will be worried that after the huge growth after Leaders merged, they are now going into reverse and the risks will be there for the medium term. Its why directors take their money and run!
What I have seen of Haslams is a solid business and profitable and I’m sure there will be some new ambition and maybe attacks on the Romans heartland….hence the boasts! Geezers at work!
Well Vince is as good as they come so whichever way you want to spin it Haslam’s have really been very clever getting him onboard, and a proper transfer coup.
Clear statement of intent and will be watching with interest.
Wish them both well.
Leaders Roman, one of the main culprits in charging high tenant fees (over a grand), and now the top management are jumping ship.
Whilst Haslams and Mr Woodford are undoubtedly respected in their own rights, IMHO some degree of respectability can be lost through comments such as…
“Whilst other estate agents may be struggling, we continue to return double-digit growth each year and our plans are to grow by 100% over the next three years.”
I have no issue with self-promotion, however I am failing to the see the point of the first part of the above quoted statement (”Whilst other agents may be struggling…”)- This seems a tad arrogant and little tacky to my mind.
It is worth noting that we all (agents, Landlords etc.) operate within the confines of the same market place, with the same ‘peaks and troughs’, and beholden to the same changes in the economic/political landscape… A little humility may go a long way, and lest we forget how swiftly the mighty can fall.