Leading tech figure Gary Barker joins lettings platform as innovation chief

Property industry heavyweight Gary Barker has joined lettings platform The Lettings Hub and will lead its innovation team.

The 44-year-old was until July 2020 CEO of industry software giant Reapit, a company he worked at for 13 years before initially leaving to join Boomin.

But in surprise move, Barker instead briefly took up the role of Chief Technology Officer at Connells, leaving in September last year to become an industry consultant.

As well as his new role at The Letting Hub, Barker will remain a non-exec director at both HMO software firm COHO and Guild owner ePropservies. Before joining Reapit he was Countrywide’s tech chief.

Lettings market

“Having spent over 15 years delivering tech that enables the lettings market, I am really impressed by The Lettings Hub tenancy progression platform, BOX,” he says.

“The last 12 months has seen the business make some significant – and impressive – tech developments and I’m excited to be able to be part of the next phase of BOX.

“Letting agents need solutions that reduce the costs and time of onboarding tenants and digitises the lettings consumer journey to make it far easier for tenants and landlords.

“Its innovative Property Passport solution also stood out to me as I can see a huge opportunity to improve the portal and lead enquiry process by providing agents with pre-vetted applicants at a time when there are 8 applicants per property.”

The Lettings Hub CEO Heidi Shackell (pictured), adds: “Gary’s appointment is a great start to 2022 for The Lettings Hub, as we look to make several key appointments to our senior team. Gary’s CV, industry experience and history speaks for itself.”

The BOX platform recently won Gold in the Technology Supplier of the Year at The Negotiator Awards in November 2021.

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