Online letting agent Upad recruits big hitters to its advisory board as it looks to grow

Industry big hitter James Micklethwait has joined online letting agent Upad in a consultancy role. He was previously head of product development at Rightmove, heading up a 100-strong team.

At Upad he will be acting in an advisory capacity, to help the firm grow its business.

Before joining Rightmove in 2014 – he left last September – the high-flying Micklethwait worked for many years in television, for both the BBC and ITV, where he was online product director.

Upad has also appointed another big hitter, proptech specialist Eddie Holmes, to its advisory board.

James Davis, a landlord, started Upad in 2007.

The firm, which now employs 23 people, says it has gained popularity by allowing landlords to get their properties advertised on Rightmove and Zoopla at a fraction of the cost, while still being able to provide an excellent customer service.

Davis told EYE that he estimates Upad’s current market share in terms of all the properties going through online letting agents to be between 33% and 50%.

He said: “It is quite telling that 90% of our customers have used us more than once.”

He claims Upad has handled 72,000 transactions since launch.

He said he is now hoping to take the business to the next level, strengthening the digital platform and doing some extensive marketing.

He said he does not rule out TV advertising.

Below, James Micklethwait

James Micklethwait, Upad

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7 Comments

  1. 123430

    Market share of 33 to 50%. I smell a bit of BS. I bet they don’t know the difference between a traditional, hybrid, cow boy, online, off line, no line, clothe line agency.

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  2. bigplayerinthegame74

    Ok ok

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  3. AndrewOverman

    Have these people not read PIE before, do they not realise that in less than a few hours Mr May and his technical wizardry will either prove or (likely) disprove such claims?

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    1. Robert May

      Morning Andrew, I have quite a lot of work on  mopping up the remaining antics of a few agents who think they’re smarter than me and beyond the reach of  James Munro or Katrine Sporle. (or perhaps they are just busy trying to prove they’re the toughest kid in the playground)

      My tech ought to be used for the positive benefits of agents rather than me being the philanthropic portal policeman.

      From what I have read of this I can’t see anything that concerns me,  certainly the team assembled deserves respect, I have met James through a mutual contact, he seems a good guy, clean; in his eyes and handshake honest. Give them a chance and see what they do.

       

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  4. AgentV

    Is Upad currently subsidised by investors? Anyone know?

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    1. LDNpro

      Yes it is and they are currently looking for more investment.

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  5. P-Daddy

    James Micklethwait a big hitter…good move upad?! Well done for employing someone who worked for just over a year at Rightmove, joining what was already the market  leader …so guess the question is what did he really add? Time will tell. Guess the timing helps the fund raising case if you think he is a rain maker.

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