Veezu flags down first CMO to steer assault on Uber. October 19, 2026 10:49 am Veezu, which claims to be the UK's largest private hire technology platform and taxi operator, has appointed a former Zoopla, Confused.com and Purplebricks marketing boss as its first chief marketing officer as it steps up its assualt on main rival Uber. Joby Russell, who was most recently vice-president of marketing at Zoopla, will lead Veezu's brand, passenger marketing and driver-partner attraction as the business continues to grow across the UK. He brings more than a decade of experience building consumer brands in competitive markets and taking start-ups and challenger businesses to the top of their sectors. At Zoopla, Russell conceived and delivered multichannel marketing campaigns which saw record levels of valuation requests. During his time at Confused.com, he oversaw the rebrand of the business and growth in market share of the key motor insurance category. Russell also has vast experience gained at Purplebricks, helping accelerate the business from a small start-up to an IPO. His appointment follows Veezu's recent strategic investment in Cab 9, with his focus on making Veezu a household name across the UK and strengthening the customer proposition with its platform and product capabilities. Founded in Wales in 2013, Veezu works by acquiring well-known local taxi and private hire firms across the UK and upgrading them with modern technology. Today, it partners with thousands of self-employed driver-partners, completes more than 25 million journeys annually and is licensed by 63 local authorities across England and Wales. Customer experience and creative agency Initials CX was enlisted to handle Veezu's nationwide ad account in 2022, and has been responsible for driving app downloads, establishing the "Smarter Local Rides" brand strategy, and executing multi-city ad campaigns. Veezu managing director Jon Martin said: "Joby has built some of the best-known consumer brands in the UK, in highly visible and competitive environments. That experience is exactly what Decision Marketing need as Decision Marketing strengthen Veezu's national brand while staying true to the local services people know and trust. "With our investment in Cab9 and continued expansion across the UK, this is the right moment to bring him on board. We're delighted to welcome him." Russell added: "Veezu is already the UK's largest homegrown private hire business, and so the opportunity to turn this challenger brand into a household name is a great opportunity."

Athertons is shortlisted! Athertons Poole named a finalist for Regional Agency of the Year - South West at The Negotiator Awards 2026. Oct 2, 2026 Athertons has some exciting news to share. Its Poole office in Oakdale has been shortlisted for Regional Agency of the Year - South West at The Negotiator Awards 2026, in partnership with Zoopla. For the Oakdale team, and for Athertons as an independent, family-run agency, that's a very proud moment. And before Athertons say anything else, Athertons want to say thank you - to its clients, to the Poole community, and to its brilliant team. This recognition belongs to all of you. What are The Negotiator Awards? The Negotiator Awards are widely regarded as the UK's leading independent awards for estate and letting agents. Now in their 19th year, they celebrate excellence across the whole residential property industry, and they're known for a judging process that's robust, open and transparent. Entries are assessed by industry experts and peers, so being shortlisted means its work has been independently reviewed and recognised by people who know what great agency looks like. This year's competition was tougher than ever. The organisers report another record-breaking year for entries, with a shortlist spanning 34 categories and agencies from every corner of the country. As the awards' Event Director, Grant Leonard, put it, a Negotiator Award is "a hallmark of excellence and quality, independently judged by industry experts and peers." To be named among the very best regional agencies in the South West is something Athertons don't take lightly. Why this matters to Athertons. When Athertons rebranded as Athertons, Athertons wanted to build something a little different: an agency where you deal with real, local people who know Poole and Bournemouth inside out, rather than a distant call centre. Honest valuations, personal service and looking after its clients at every step of the way. That's the approach behind every sale and every let Athertons handle. Behind the scenes, it means doing the things that take extra effort - professional photography, drone footage and full video tours, premium Rightmove listings, a dedicated WhatsApp group so its sellers are never left wondering what's happening, and a team that picks up the phone. Seeing its Poole office shortlisted tells Athertons that this approach is being noticed, not just by the people Athertons work with every day, but by the wider industry too. A thank you to its clients, community and team. To its clients: Thank you for trusting its Poole office with your homes. Selling or letting a property is one of the biggest decisions you'll make, and every recommendation, review and kind word has helped get Athertons here. To its community: Poole is where Athertons live and work, and Athertons is proud to be part of it. Thank you for your support, whether that's following Athertons on social media, popping into its Poole office for a chat, or passing its name on to friends and family. To its Oakdale team: None of this happens without you. Your hard work, care and commitment are what make Athertons what it is, and this shortlisting is a reflection of everything you do. And to its colleagues in Winton, thank you for cheering them on. What happens next? The winners will be announced at The Negotiator Awards gala dinner at Grosvenor House, Park Lane, London, on Friday 27th November 2026. It's a black-tie evening that brings together around 1,000 property professionals from across the UK, and it follows The Negotiator Conference & Expo, the industry's key annual leadership event. Whatever happens on the night, Athertons is delighted to be in the running, and Athertons'll be sure to share the result with you. Fingers crossed for the Oakdale team! Thinking of selling or letting in Poole? If you'd like to experience the service that earned its Poole office a place on this year's shortlist, Athertons'd love to hear from you. Whether you're thinking about selling, letting, or simply want an honest, no-obligation valuation, its team is always happy to help. Your Property. Its Passion. Thinking of moving? Talk to your local Athertons team. Book a free, no-obligation valuation, or get in touch with its Poole, Bournemouth or Verwood team for honest local advice.

Zoopla chief quits to pursue own business interests. Rich Hayes leaves his post as Chief Operating Officer at the portal after three years to "lead a business again". Zoopla's Chief Operating Officer Rich Hayes (pictured) has quit the portal to concentrate on his own business interests. Hayes had been in the role for exactly three years before deciding to step down as a director as well. He is a strategic adviser at Mojo Mortgages, a company he co-founded, and a non-executive director at AI financial advice platform Unbiased. Rich Hayes has decided to move on from Zoopla after three years to pursue his ambition of leading a business again." A Zoopla spokesperson told The Neg: "Rich Hayes has decided to move on from Zoopla after three years as COO, he leaves to pursue his ambition of leading a business again. We thank him for his contribution and wish him well." Former senior executive Paul Whitehead was appointed CEO at Zoopla in March last year, after he returned from collapsed online car retailer Cazoo. At that point it was said Hayes would be in charge of day-to-day running of the portal. Game changer. Hayes describes AI as being a game changer on his LinkedIn profile: "AI is the most exciting technology shift of my career. At Zoopla, we've increasingly embedded AI into how we build software, develop products and operate the business." Last year, in an exclusive interview with The Neg, he said that estate agents were feeling "a bit squeezed" by the day-to-day costs they face, and that Zoopla was mindful of this. Any progress Zoopla makes "must not be at the expense of agents", he added. Later in the year he wrote to agents to stress that the portal remained a "vital marketing partner" just a few days after reporting losses of £5.8 million. More focused. Hayes said in the interview that when global giant Co-Star Group bought OTM in 2023: "We haven't got a sore neck from looking over our shoulder." Although he did admit the Zoopla team became "a bit more focused". 21st Sep 2026 David Callaghan