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

Breaking Property News 21/11/25

Daily bite-sized proptech and property news in partnership with Proptech-X.   VE+ the new procurement engine cutting developers costs without compromise Finishes packages are specification sensitive and expensive components of any build – VE+ fixes this  As construction costs continue to climb and procurement timelines tighten, developers and contractors are being pushed harder than ever…
Read More
Breaking News

Inheritance Tax Receipts raise £5.2 billion in seven months

Inheritance tax (IHT) receipts hit £5.2 billion in the first seven months of the 2025/26 tax year, according to data released by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) this morning. This is £0.2 billion higher than same period of the previous tax year and continues an upward trend over the last two decades. Nicholas Hyett, Investment…
Read More
Breaking News

FMB calls on Reeves to scrap housing tax threat

The Chancellor needs to scrap the Government’s proposed landfill tax quarry exemption which will add up to £28,000 to the cost of homes on small sites in next week’s Autumn Budget, says the Federation of Master Builders (FMB). Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the FMB, said: “At a time when the Government is failing to…
Read More
Breaking News

Full Steam Ahead! UK Construction to return to growth in 2026

Construction intelligence specialists predict renewed activity following false-start over the summer. Revised figures will see UK construction sector grow 21% over the next two years Private housebuilding remains on course to grow significantly, with activity still predicted to rise by almost a fifth in 2027 Commercial office starts set to continue their ascent, and increasing…
Read More
Breaking News

Winter is Coming: Douglas & Gordon Warns Landlords and Tenants to Take Action Before Disputes Occur

Mould, damp, burst pipes and boilers on the blink? With temperatures set to plummet in London this week, real-estate agent Douglas & Gordon is advising landlords and tenants to take action before issues occur. With 45% of landlords experiencing arrears or disputes, often linked to property condition or delayed maintenance* the agent’s expert lettings team…
Read More
Breaking News

Home sellers slashing asking prices amid Budget speculation

The latest research from Property DriveBuy reveals that homesellers are slashing asking prices across the country in an attempt to attract buyers in a stagnant pre-Budget housing market. The latest asking price data* shows that the average asking price in Britain (£364,833) fell by -1.8% between October and November 2025, contributing to an overall annual…
Read More