Exclusive: high-profile housing research guru leaves Countrywide

Estate Agent Today can reveal that one of the industry’s best known research experts, Johnny Morris, has left Countrywide. 

Morris joined Hamptons International in 2013, becoming head of research at the Countrywide-owned brand and working alongside Fionnuala Earley, another well-respected figure in residential property research.

Then in 2015 the Countrywide group set up a central research team with Morris and Earley at the helm. Morris took up the title of Research and Analytics Director.

Morris was for three years the primary research spokesperson for Countrywide, frequently quoted in the national and industry press and regarded as one of the industry’s leading experts and speakers - in the mainstream media and at numerous trade events - on sales and rental trends as well as on the market overall.

Before joining Countrywide Morris worked at Hometrack Data Systems, CBRE and Catalyst Housing Group, and throughout his career he has worked as an analyst across a wide range of property sectors from commercial to public sector. 

A spokeswoman for the company gave EAT a short statement saying: “Countrywide can confirm that Johnny Morris has left the business. Johnny has been with the business for five years and has helped develop our data, analytics and research. He has made a significant contribution to the business and we wish him well for the future.”

Earlier this year, following the departure of former chief executive Alison Platt, Countrywide announced a ‘Back To Basics’ programme, with executive chairman pledging significant new resources for branches, and the scrapping of the online sales and lettings experiment.

Amongst the strategic priorities outlined by Long was a pledge to reduce overheads and drive cost efficiency in central support functions.