'Apprentice' London agency has another try at expansion

Haus Properties - the estate agency set up by former Apprentice finalist Jamie Lester, who quit the company suddenly last year - says it is expanding from two to three offices. 

In late 2015 Haus briefly had four offices - two in Fulham and one in each of Chiswick and Shepherd’s Bush - and said that in the four years after being set up by Lester in 2011 it had sold £184m of property and collected £145m in rent for clients.

However, by July 2016 the agency was operating from only two offices and now company head Amin Omidi has announced an expansion into an additional office on Fulham Road, near its existing two branches on Wandsworth Bridge Road and Munster Road. 

The firm handles sales, lettings and land and new homes, plus acquisition and interior design services where required.

“Following increased demand, the time is right to expand our reach into Chelsea, building upon our strong track record across Fulham” says Omidi. 

Meanwhile London high end agency chain Marsh & Parsons has strengthened its sales team with two senior appointments from within the business.

Alex Lyle has been become sales director and Ben Gee regional sales director.

During his decade at Marsh & Parsons, Lyle has played an integral role in the company, starting in the Fulham office before becoming regional sales director of south west London.

“Alex is a great example of someone who has moved through our ranks, reflecting our strategy of developing our people and helping them to progress. He will bring his own personality to the role” says David Brown, Marsh & Parsons chief executive. 

Fulham sales director Ben Gee now moves to Lyle’s previous post as regional sales director.

Gee started at Marsh & Parsons 12 years ago as a negotiator and has since held four other positions before this latest promotion. He will oversee sales operations across south west London and part of the Marsh & Parsons prime central network.