Property data and technology provider TM Group has announced an addition to its Executive Leadership Team. Gary Barker, who TM group say is an ‘industry expert’ in property technology with over 20 years of experience. He is set to join the business as Chief Operating and Technology Officer in April of this year.
In this newly created role, Barker will spearhead a ‘robust’ technology and innovation strategy for the provider. His background includes tech transformation roles, such as: Executive and Non-Executive Director across well known industry brands such as Countrywide, Connells, Reapit, COHO, Property Circle, and Nurtur.
Thomas Maerz, CEO of TM Group, expressed his enthusiasm about the strategic hire, commenting:
“This is a major strategic appointment for the business, and we are delighted to have Gary joining us. His knowledge, skills, and experiences will help further cement our position as an innovative, market-leading technology provider, delivering the very best platforms and services to the Commercial and Residential property sectors.
“Throughout his career, Barker has demonstrated an ability to create new products and marketplace platforms that make a real difference. Under his leadership, client accounting software and customer relationship management firm Reapit experienced a sharp increase in growth in four years, after Barker pioneered the creation of the first Platform as a Service (PaaS) marketplace.”
The newly appointed Chief Officer also shared his thoughts on opportunity. He said:
“I am thrilled to be joining TM Group at such a hugely exciting time. The opportunity to drive TM Group’s innovation and digitisation strategies to the property sector is something I could not possibly turn down!”
Commenting on his vision for TM Group, Gary added:
“I strongly believe TM Group is in a unique position to deliver huge value to the industry by ensuring that the process of buying and selling a house becomes easier, faster, and more transparent for everyone. I have been hugely impressed by the quality of the team, their ideas, passion, knowledge, and skills, all of which will be key to delivering the very best platforms and services to our customers.”
Barker’s arrival follows the departure of Matt Joy earlier this year, who was the co-creator of Conveyancing Data Services (CDS), and led TM group through the merging of two companies.
Upon leaving, Joy said:
“I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at CDS and have learnt so much since joining the wider TM Group. I have met and worked with some great and talented people over these years. Whilst I will leave my team in the midst of a challenging market, I firmly believe they are strong and talented enough to withstand anything that comes their way through 2024.”
TM group provide solutions that simplify the property transaction for the legal and conveyancing sector. Their customers extend to legal professionals (including Residential Conveyancers and Real Estate Professionals), Mortgage Lenders, Estate Agents, and Developers. They have been a tech provider for over two decades and also have data provider Conveyancing Data Services(CDS) under their wing, founded by Joy in 2010 and sold to TM group in 2018.
The key conveyancing and technology provider was acquired by European investment firm AURELIUS in July of last year with the aim of ‘focusing on developing forward-thinking solutions to enhance and accelerate property transactions’ and increase global reach.
