Comings & Goings

Countrywide veteran joins Spicerhaart

Spicerhaart has appointed George Burden as estate agency director for its haart brand in the Bedford region.

With over 20 years senior leadership experience in Countrywide, he has plenty of experience working across Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Hertfordshire.

In his new role, he will oversee haart’s M1 estate agency business, leading 11 branches with a focus on recruitment, performance and expanding the company’s hybrid Partnerships model.

Burden said: “This is a region I know inside out and the opportunity to lead a business of great scale and potential, recruit at pace and work with a brand that values people and performance was the right step to take in my career.

“The hybrid Partnerships model also really appealed to me, empowering experienced agents to work flexibly in their own communities while growing market share. That blend of autonomy and support is a powerful proposition and I’m excited to help scale it across the region.”

His immediate priorities include filling key managerial roles, growing the Partnerships team and positioning each branch in the top three for market share within six months.

“We’re building a high-performance culture with clear processes, strong leadership and a focus on customer care. That’s how we’ll grow sustainably,” he added.

Antony Lark, CEO of Spicerhaart, commented: “George is a proven leader with deep roots in the Bedford region and a wealth of experience from his time at Countrywide. His understanding of the local market, combined with his passion for developing high-performing teams, makes him the ideal person to lead our M1 estate agency business.”

Ex-Chestertons department head Robert Mosgrove joins Harding Green in business development role

Harding Green has announced the launch of a dedicated business development department, appointing former director of client services at Chestertons, Robert Mosgrove, to spearhead the initiative.

This strategic move marks a major milestone in Harding Green’s expansion, creating a technology-led department dedicated to generating opportunities for our self-employed partners.

With a 22-year career in client services spanning both Foxtons and Chestertons, Mosgrove brings plenty of experience to the role.

Mosgrove said: “After an incredible chapter at Chestertons and more than two decades in the industry, I am delighted to step into Harding Green to lead this pioneering new department.

“The brokerage model is rapidly redefining the landscape of UK property, and Harding Green continues to attract many of the most successful agents in the industry. Our ambition is to provide them with the most advanced tools and the strongest opportunities, enabling them to excel while driving the evolution of brokerage forward.”

Nick Carter, founder and CEO, added: “Robert’s experience and reputation speak for themselves. His decision to leave a senior role at Chestertons to take on this position is a significant moment for Harding Green. As former colleagues, I know first-hand that he is one of the most driven and capable people in the industry.”

Gary Barker takes the helm at Canopy & The Lettings Hub

PropTech specialists Canopy & The Lettings Hub has announced the appointment of Gary Barker as its new CEO.

Barker, previously of Reapit, is now bringing his vision and expertise to the two brands.

In under four years, the Canopy Group has scaled from a six-person team to more than 190 employees following the acquisition of The Lettings Hub.

Having led the business over this period, Chris Hutchinson will transition into the role of chief commercial officer, continuing as a board member and focusing on business growth, partnerships, and potential further acquisitions.

Barker said: “Canopy has already established itself as a market leader with huge momentum. The opportunity to build on that success, expand its impact across the UK, and unlock future opportunities — including international growth — is incredibly exciting. I’m delighted to join the team at such a pivotal moment and to help to deliver more innovation to the industry to support our customers and partners.”

Hutchinson added. “We’ve made incredible progress, but our ambition has only grown. Gary’s track record at Reapit, where he led innovation and scaled the business, makes him the perfect leader to take Canopy forward. I’m thrilled to continue driving growth in my new role while supporting Gary and the Board.”

Mark Witherspoon, chairman of Canopy, commented: “Gary’s leadership and vision are exactly what we need at this stage of our growth. His deep understanding of the industry, combined with his ability to turn big ideas into practical, impactful solutions, will help us set new standards for the market while we are thrilled to enable Chris to continue to grow the scale of Canopy across new verticals and markets.”