Ed Mead, one of the most high profile estate agents in the industry, is leaving London agency Douglas and Gordon to run a support service for high street and online agents.
The service, Viewber, matches estate agents with viewing agents and local property experts. It started operating in April this year.
A prominent London estate agent for 37 years, 21 of which have been spent at D&G where he is currently executive director, Mead specialised in Chelsea property before latterly setting up Douglas and Gordon's new homes department.
“I've loved being an agent and part of D&G's transformation from a small company with five offices to a major player with 16. In my time I've seen so much change in the industry but the last few years, in particular, have been especially intriguing,” says Mead.
“What began as a couple of fledgling 'back of a fag packet' digital ideas to help service the estate agency sector – Viewber and another for making chains more visible – have now evolved into something more serious with great potential. I ... will be continuing to consult, commentate and put deals together in my spare time. Once an agent always an agent.”
Mead had a huge media profile at one time, was a leading advocate of Agents’ Mutual and OnTheMarket when it was set up, and was previously a regular contributor to the Sunday Times property section Home and to the Daily Telegraph’s Property supplement.
In the past he has also been a vocal critic of online agencies - two years ago he slugged it out with eMoov founder Russell Quirk on the Daily Telegraph website.
Michael Hodgson, D&G chairman, says Mead has “wider perspectives” on how estate agency is developing in the internet age. “With his media profile and vast experience, Ed is uniquely placed to branch out into activities complementary to our industry. I am delighted that he will remain on our board and wish him every success” he says.
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Interesting. Maybe we will see more and more of this as the years go past. PropTech is growing in influence, and the coverage it receives is also going up. For me, it's the future of the industry.
With all due respect to Ed I think he is jumping on the digital bandwagon with no clear idea where this is going. I have read his website do not really think he is offering anything particularly useful.
It's funny how defenders of the traditional model are now seemingly accepting that people advertised as 'local property experts' are indeed 'local property experts'. Hmmm...
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