BREAKING PROPERTY NEWS – 02/05/2023
Daily bite-sized proptech and property news in partnership with Proptech-X.
Grosvenor Systems appoints new Managing Director Grant Chaplin to oversee growth
Grosvenor Systems has today announced the promotion of Grant Chaplin from Operations Director to Managing Director as the property management software company continues to grow and evolve its offering in response to customer demand.
As Operations Director, Grant pictured below led on the growth and innovation of Grosvenor Systems’ leading property management and accounting system, Propman, working with over 230 businesses across the UK.
Grant takes over from Sarah Taylor, who becomes Group CEO to oversee Grosvenor Systems alongside sister companies Technology Blueprint, a leading lettings proptech company, and Artifax, a venue and event management software provider to the arts and cultural community.
As Managing Director, Grant plans to launch automated bank feeds functionality within Propman to streamline open banking operations for customers. He also plans to explore options to further improve data analytics for customers, at a time when businesses’ finances are facing increased scrutiny.
As part of his growth plans, Grant will also focus on revolutionising the business’ product offering and accelerating the Propman roadmap. This evolution — in line with the ever-changing needs of the property industry — will incorporate customer-led insights, initiatives, and further strategic partnerships in the coming months.
Grant Chaplin, incoming Managing Director, comments: “I’m delighted to have been promoted to Managing Director at Grosvenor Systems. Propman is truly a leading product within the property management software industry and I’m looking forward to building on recent growth and developing our offering further for our customers, with our customers.”
Sarah Taylor, new Group CEO, said: “This is an exciting time for Grosvenor Systems as it continues to develop its product offering to meet customer needs. Grant is the ideal person to fulfil the company’s future ambitions and open new opportunities for growth.”
For those who do not know, Grosvenor Systems run Propman, the pre-eminent, comprehensive all in-one property management and accounting system. With over 230 businesses and 350,000 units across the UK powered by Propman (including large names like Bidwells, KFH, Canary Wharf Group and William Hill), Grosvenor Systems is helping to create growth through automation and flexible portfolio reporting.
Argent and Related Argent bolster team with two new senior hires
Argent and Related Argent has bolstered its senior team with two new hires, strengthening its technology, innovation and ESG capabilities.
Sustainability expert, Jamie Quinn has joined as Sustainability Director, while PropTech specialist, Jack Sibley has joined as Head of PropTech and Innovation.
Jamie will spearhead the company’s ESG strategies to help meet its high sustainability targets and ensure its developments and assets deliver significant environmental and social value for the wider community. Jack will lead the company’s PropTech and innovation strategies to deliver improved customer experience, enhanced sustainability results and data-driven solutions.
Jamie and Jack will work across the King’s Cross and St Pancras Hospital developments where Argent LLP is the asset and development manager for King’s Cross Central Limited Partnership (KCCLP), as well as Related Argent’s £9Bn pipeline, which includes the Brent Cross Town and Tottenham Hale developments and its Build-to-Rent portfolio.
Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG)
Jamie joins Argent and Related Argent with more than 15 years’ experience in senior level sustainability roles, where he has worked for large international organisations to deliver environmental and social benefit across the built environment sector.
Jamie will work with stakeholders to create and implement improved sustainability strategies and deliver tangible social, economic and environmental benefits that establish the business as a global leader in sustainable development.
One of Jamie’s main areas of focus will be on the reduction and elimination of operational and embodied carbon across Argent and Related Argent developments. This includes working in close partnership with occupiers on the King’s Cross estate to help take it from carbon neutral to net zero carbon. Leading the social value team, Jamie will also oversee the development of new strategies that support local communities and charity groups.
Jamie Quinn, Sustainability Director, said: “It is a pleasure to have joined such a well-respected real estate business at what is a critical time for the industry, both from an environmental perspective and a social one. My experience spans the built environment, including regeneration, energy generation and facilities management, so I am looking forward to using this knowledge to work with stakeholders to make real change across the Argent and Related Argent business.
“My focus over the next 12 months will be on the implementation of our net zero strategies and wider environmental improvements, maximising our social impact and developing our market leading approach to governance and reporting.”
PropTech and innovation
The newly created Head of PropTech and Innovation position was established following significant investments in two PropTech venture capital funds in 2022 – Concrete VC and Pi Labs – by KCCLP, the freehold owner of the King’s Cross estate.
Jack, who has worked in both corporate innovation roles and within PropTech start-ups, will work closely with Argent and Related Argent teams to embed a culture of innovation. He will create a streamlined approach to working with start-ups, help reduce operational carbon through smart building technologies and future proof the company’s asset management strategies.
Jack Sibley, Head of PropTech and Innovation, said: “This role is dedicated to engaging with the PropTech ecosystem and creating scalable processes to identify, pilot and scale up innovative solutions across the business and our real estate projects.
“Our vision is to be a great city builder for people, planet and prosperity. PropTech solutions are a critical enabler to this mission, accelerating progress in key focus areas including sustainability, customer experience and data.”
With more than six years’ experience working in the PropTech ecosystem, Jack previously led innovation and technology strategies for Nuveen Real Estate, a global top five real estate investment manager with over $150bn in AUM, and was Head of Partnerships at Insurami, a start-up at the intersection of Fintech and real estate.
Robert Evans, Joint Managing Partner of Argent, Partner of Related Argent and CEO of King’s Cross, added: “We are thrilled to welcome Jack and Jamie to the team, where they will be collaborating with every area of our business to ensure we are taking advantage of the huge opportunities that PropTech and ESG present, as well as working to embed a culture of innovation across all our teams.”
Working as one business, Argent operates alongside Related Argent across a range of property sectors, including residential, workspace, education, shopping and hospitality and leisure. A complete developer-owner-operator with a £9bn pipeline, the company brings together the expertise and track record of Argent and Related, one of the most innovative and prolific real estate businesses in the US.
Andrew Stanton Executive Editor – moving property and proptech forward. PropTech-X
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