Purplebricks announces new chief executive of UK operation

Purplebricks has announced that former Countrywide director Lee Wainwright has been appointed chief executive officer of the hybrid agency’s UK operations with immediate effect. 

Michael Bruce remains in post as chief executive of the Purplebricks group, which has activities in the US and Australia as well as the UK.

Wainwright joined Purplebricks as chief operations officer last March after a 26 year career with Countrywide where he had been a divisional managing director for 12 years.

At Counrrywide he had responsibility for the growth and strategic development of a number of their brands and divisions; he had joined Countrywide as a trainee estate agent direct from school.

A statement this morning says that as COO of Purplebricks, Wainwright has overseen the development of the company’s operational. 

He has also “played a key role in the recruitment and training of over 300 Local Property Experts, has overseen the launch of our concierge service and the growth of our post sales support and conveyancing sales teams.”

Wainwright has been involved in “strengthening our customer service capabilities and the UK management team.”

Commenting on the announcement, Michael Bruce says:  “We are very fortunate to have someone of Lee’s experience and track record in the industry heading up our UK business. 

“He brings with him extensive leadership and industry expertise from his senior roles at Countrywide, and has already demonstrated his value in his time as COO at Purplebricks. 

“Having grown to be one of the leading estate agents in the country in such a short period of time brings with it the need to develop and scale‐up our people and capabilities in customer service, recruitment, training, and build a broader business offering. 

“We are committed to delivering the highest levels of customer service through a resourceful and agile technology platform and our talented pool of employees and management. I believe that Lee is the best person to lead this expansion and to grow the strong culture that exists in our special business.”