BREAKING NEWS – top 5 stories 19/02/2021

Estate Agent Networking Breaking News

GARY BARKER BECOMES GCTO OF CONNELLS (COUNTRYWIDE)

Gary Barker who I am lucky enough to know has been revealed as the Group Chief Technology Officer of Connells, which having acquired Countrywide will mean he will have a large job on his hands. That said he exactly the right man to do that job.

I had actually put in print some time ago that Gary Barker would be an excellent choice as CEO of Countrywide, which of course is now Connells. The point being that someone of Gary’s calibre, understanding the macro and micro landscape of tech in the real estate space, and what a profit looks like as he guided Reapit yearly into big EBITA million-pound increases – would be a huge asset. As the new GCTO in many ways this is the most important role, as agency competes against the backdrop of the 4th industrial (tech) revolution and consumers do things digitally.

DEXTERS GETS CASH INJECTION TO GROW

The Founder and Chairman of Dexters – Jeff Doble has just announced via a city trading announcement that via Oakley a private equity company further funding will be made available to grow the company by in excess of 60 branches.

Dexters continues its huge growth in the London sector, this extra investment is a shrewd move by the founder and Chair Jeff Doble, we have been watching his company’s business strategy for some time, and it shows that a forward moving policy, whatever the market conditions is always the right one. No doubt the lettings arm of the operation will continue as well.

CHESTERTONS OPENS UP IN … MOROCCO

Based in the capital Rabat, the company will service the surrounding areas of Tangier, Casablanca and Marrakech, the Chief of International Operations Gavin Vercoe, commented that, ‘This year is set to be an incredibly important one for our global expansion, and we are proud to make this step into a new region of the world through Chesterton’s Morocco’.

MAYBE BEING A HIGH NET WORTH INDIVIDUAL IS NOT ALL IT IS MADE OUT TO BE

Increasingly the HNWI tribe are being heralded as the group to be seen with and move in their circles, but a recent report by a specialised lender who arranges mortgage finance, has revealed that a fifth of these type of HNWI clients are unable to raise housing finance.

Which proves that in times of austerity, having money on paper is maybe not as good as having a PAYE position, though maybe not so many flights on private jets.

HOUSING MARKET FALLS SILENT WAITING ON STAMP DUTY CLARIFICATION

The housing market remains muted with little stock coming on due to uncertainty over the SDLT holiday. For some the 3rd of March – when the Chancellor speaks can not come quick enough.

Andrew Stanton

CEO & Founder Proptech-PR. Proptech Real Estate Influencer, Executive Editor of Estate Agent Networking. Leading PR consultancy in Proptech & Real Estate.

You May Also Enjoy

Breaking News

What renters and landlords need to know ahead of major rental law changes

With just one month to go until the first phase of the Renters’ Rights Act comes into force, the leading professional body, Propertymark, is urging renters and landlords across England to understand how the changes could affect them. From 1 May 2026, the legislation will introduce some of the biggest changes to the private rented…
Read More
Estate Agent Talk

Tackling Empty Properties

A UK Perspective on Best Practice and Recommendations for Reform Propertymark, the UK’s leading professional body for property agents, has today published a comprehensive new position paper highlighting the urgent need for coordinated, practical and properly resourced action to bring long-term empty properties back into use. With over 359,000 homes sitting empty for more than…
Read More
Breaking News

Pet-friendly rentals plunge 39%

New research from Inventory Base reveals that the number of pet-friendly rental homes in England has fallen by -39% since the start of 2026, as landlords appear to be reducing the number of homes openly marketed as allowing pets ahead of the Renters’ Rights Act taking effect from 1st May. The Renters’ Rights Act (RRA)…
Read More
Breaking News

Latest Nationwide house price data showing a 2.2% increase

Industry reaction to Nationwide house price data showing UK annual house price growth picked up to 2.2% in March, from 1.0% in February. Nathan Emerson, CEO of Propertymark, comments: “An uplift in house prices will be welcomed by the market and suggests that buyer demand remains resilient despite ongoing economic headwinds. Improved sentiment, coupled with…
Read More
Breaking News

UK house price growth picks up in March

UK annual house price growth picked up to 2.2% in March, from 1.0% in February Northern Ireland best performing area in Q1 2026, with prices up 9.5% year-on-year Outer South East weakest performing region, with prices down 0.7% compared with Q1 2025 Headlines Mar-26 Feb-26 Monthly Index* 552.6 547.7 Monthly Change* 0.9% 0.3% Annual Change…
Read More
Breaking News

Mortgage approvals up in February

The latest mortgage approval data from the Bank of England show that: –   Mortgage approvals on house purchases for February sat at 62,584 up (3.9%) from 60,246 seen in January. Approvals are down (-3.9%) when compared to the 65,114 seen in February 2025. This annual decline was expected due to wider market slowdown and economic…
Read More