BestAgent, the forthcoming housing transaction marketplace founded by moving industry entrepreneur Charlie Lamdin, has appointed finance and operations specialist Joanna Monro as chief financial officer.
The board-level appointment comes as the business prepares for its first external funding round since being founded in 2016 and moves into its early launch phase.
The planned capital raise will be used to expand the product team and build out a new leadership structure, with senior hires planned across product, industry relations, partnerships and communications.
Monro (main picture, inset) brings more than 20 years’ experience in finance, accounting and operations, including senior roles at board and C-suite level.
FINANCIAL WORKINGS
Her background includes time at Baker Tilly and a decade in leadership positions, most recently as director of finance and operations at 17-branch estate agency Andrew Grant.
Charlie Lamdin, founder of BestAgent, says: “I was introduced to Joanna with a personal recommendation after I put out a call on LinkedIn for ‘the best accountant in the industry’.
“I have had 30 years’ experience working with accountants at all levels. Joanna is in a league of her own and I genuinely can’t wait to see what we can achieve working together.”
INVESTOR REASSURANCE
He adds: “First and foremost, having such an experienced, steady hand on the tiller will be of great reassurance to investors.
“But what I’m most excited about is having someone who understands the financial workings of estate and lettings agent businesses with me to help develop BestAgent, and in particular BackOffice, into the biggest value-adding product agents have ever had available to them.”
AMBITIOUS PLAN
Monro adds: “Charlie’s vision for the widespread benefits of faster housing transactions for society as a whole, and the potential benefits that has for social mobility and the economy, is as exciting as it is challenging.
“Building a thriving marketplace business on the back of helping home movers and professionals in the moving industry is an ambitious plan, but the benefits for all involved are obvious.
“The financials will be complex and that’s what attracts me.”
“The financials will be complex, given the number of different revenue streams, partners and products on offer, and that’s what attracts me.”
BestAgent also confirmed it has assembled an advisory board of senior figures from inside and outside the moving industry, including internationally recognised leaders in their fields. Further details of the advisory board and the platform’s product partners are expected to be announced in due course.
