Purplebricks founder Kenny Bruce pledges: “I’ll be back - and soon”

Purplebricks’ founder Kenny Bruce has promised that his departure from the firm does not mean he won’t be heard of again.

Kenny - whose brother Michael departed the company some weeks ago - has written on Twitter that: 

“Last day at #Purplebricks completed. What a journey over the past 7.5 years. I worked with some incredible people who are some of the best in the property industry. Thank you to our people. Super excited about the next project: work starts today. #Dontletthegrassgrowunderyourfeet.”

Bruce received a warm send-off from other industry figures on Twitter.

Former Countrywide and Rightmove veteran Harry Hill, who in recent years has used social media to support Purplebricks, tweeted: “Good luck Kenny. You boys certainly lobbed a rock into the estate agency pond and many people will be intrigued to see your next ‘target’.”

Sam Mitchell, chief executive of HouseSimple - another online agency, which yesterday revealed it would be selling properties for free  - tweeted: “Congrats KB, good luck for the future. What you achieved at PB was very impressive and has changed the market forever. All the best from all at HS.”

A week ago it was revealed that Kenny Bruce, who was sales director of the agency and was believed to be the man behind its sports sponsorship deals, was leaving the company he founded.

At the time a statement from the agency said: “Purplebricks confirms that Kenny Bruce has decided to leave the business on 26 June. We’d like to thank Kenny for the role he played in creating Purplebricks and helping grow the business into the UK’s leading estate agent. We’ll build on the foundations laid by both Kenny and Michael, as we focus our future efforts on using data and technology to reset the service standards of the industry.”

Back on May 7, in a surprise trading statement from the agency, it was announced that Michael Bruce - the co-founder with his brother - was stepping down as global chief executive.

Paul Pindar, Purplebricks’ non-executive chairman, said at the time: “I would like to place on record our thanks to Michael for the truly remarkable contribution that he has made to the creation and development of Purplebricks. Michael's vision in creating the UK's leading hybrid estate agent has been deeply impressive, as has his relentless energy in developing the business both in the UK and internationally."

Kenny Bruce's pledge to stage a comeback came just before a press release from Purplebricks suggesting that it was either the best-performing or the second best-performing agency in the UK on the basis of price achieved, time on market and sales rates up to SSTC stage. You can see EAT's report on those claims by Purplebricks here.