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{{Short description|British real estate company}}
{{Multiple issues|
{{COI|date=August 2018}}
{{Advert|date=May 2020}}
}}
{{Infobox company
| name = ZPG LimitedHouseful
| logo = Houseful Logo = ZPG-logoRGB.png
| type = [[Private limited company|Private]]
| foundation = {{start date and age|January 2008}}
| trade_name = Houseful
| predecessor = Zoopla Property Group
| founders = [[Harrison Wright]]<br>Simon Kain<br>[[Alex Chesterman]]
| predecessor = [[FindaProperty|FindaProperty.com]]
| location = [[London]], England, UK
| founders = [[Alex Chesterman]]<br>Simon Kain
| locations = [[United Kingdom]]▼
| defunct = <!-- {{End date|YYYY|MM|DD}} -->
| area_served = [[United Kingdom]]▼
| location_city = London
| key_people = Charlie Bryant, [[CEO]]
| location_country = United Kingdom
| industry = InternetSoftware, real estate▼
| location =
| products = =▼
▲| locations = [[United Kingdom]]
| services = Property and Comparison search websitesSoftware▼
▲| area_served = [[United Kingdom]]
| revenue = [[Pound sterling|£]]317.3 million (2018)<ref name=prelims>{{cite web|url=http://www.fasttrack.co.uk/company_profile/zpg-2/|title=Fast Track Company Details|publisher=Zoopla|accessdateaccess-date=24 June 2020}}</ref>▼
| key_people = Mike Evans, [[Chairman]]<br>Alex Chesterman, [[CEO]]
| assets = =▼
▲| industry = Internet, real estate
| equity = =▼
▲| products =
| owner = [[Silver Lake Partners]] <small>(since 2018)</small>▼
▲| services = Property and Comparison search websites
| num_employees = 700600▼
▲| revenue = [[Pound sterling|£]]317.3 million (2018)<ref name=prelims>{{cite web|url=http://www.fasttrack.co.uk/company_profile/zpg-2/|title=Fast Track Company Details|publisher=Zoopla|accessdate=24 June 2020}}</ref>
| parent = Silver Lake Partners▼
▲| assets =
| divisions = Zoopla, Hometrack, Alto, Jupix, [[Primelocation]], Calcasa, Mojo Mortgages, Yourkeys
▲| equity =
| homepage = {{urlURL|zpghttps://houseful.co.uk}}▼
▲| owner = [[Silver Lake Partners]] <small>(since 2018)</small>
▲| num_employees = 700
▲| parent = Silver Lake Partners
| divisions = [[Primelocation]]
| subsid = Zoopla.co.uk
▲| homepage = {{url|zpg.co.uk}}
}}
'''ZPG''' [[Private limited company|Ltd]] is a British company, owned by [[Silver Lake Partners]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-zpg-m-a-silver-lake/britains-zoopla-primelocation-bought-by-silver-lake-for-3-billion-idUSKBN1IC0I0|title=Britain's Zoopla, PrimeLocation bought by Silver Lake for $3 billion|date=11 May 2018|work=Reuters|accessdate=11 May 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cityam.com/285615/zooplas-parent-group-zpg-looks-set-taken-over-us-private|title=Zoopla's parent group ZPG looks set to be taken over by US private equity firm Silver Lake for £2.2bn|author=Lucy White|work=CityAM|accessdate=11 May 2018}}</ref> ZPG stands for Zoopla Property Group. It focuses on providing users with access to information such as sold house prices, area trends & statistics and current value estimates for domestic and commercial properties in the UK. ▼
 
▲'''ZPGHouseful''' [[Private limited company|Ltd]] is a British residential property software, data, and insight company based in [[London]], [[England]], owned by [[Silver Lake (investment firm)|Silver Lake Partners]].<ref>{{citeCite news web|urllast=https://www.reuters.com/article/usB |first=Rahul |last2=Sandle |first2=Paul |date=2018-zpg05-m-a-silver-lake/britains-zoopla-primelocation-bought-by-silver-lake-for-3-billion-idUSKBN1IC0I011 |title=Britain's Zoopla, PrimeLocation bought by Silver Lake for $3 billion |datelanguage=11en-US May 2018|work=Reuters |accessdateurl=11https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSKBN1IC0HZ/ May 2018|access-date=2023-12-06}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cityam.com/285615/zooplas-parent-group-zpg-looks-set-taken-over-us-private|title=Zoopla's parent group ZPG looks set to be taken over by US private equity firm Silver Lake for £2.2bn|author=Lucy White|work=CityAM|accessdateaccess-date=11 May 2018}}</ref> ZPG stands for Zoopla Property Group. It focuses on providing users with access to information such as sold house prices, area trends & statistics and current value estimates for domestic and commercial properties in the UK.
Its brands include the property website '''Zoopla,''' price comparison service [[Uswitch]], finance comparison website Money.co.uk,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ft.com/content/94af4a82-93ef-11e7-a9e6-11d2f0ebb7f0|title=Subscribe to read|website=Financial Times|access-date=2017-10-29}}</ref> personal finance content site Bankrate UK, PrimeLocation and Hometrack.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ft.com/content/79b82827-9a21-3336-abcf-6b87010a5819|title=Zoopla snaps up Hometrack in £120m deal|last=Khan|first=Mehreen|date=2017-01-31|website=Financial Times|access-date=2017-10-29}}</ref> Alongside these sites, Zoopla also owns several industry brands providing services to estate agents. These include Jupix, Alto, Expert Agent and Ravensworth. ZPG PLC was listed on the [[London Stock Exchange]] until it was acquired by [[Silver Lake Partners]] in July 2018.
 
Its brands include the property website '''Zoopla,''' [[Automated valuation model|automated valuations]] (AVMs) provider Hometrack, and software brand Alto.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Khan |first=Mehreen |date=2017-01-31 |title=Zoopla snaps up Hometrack in £120m deal |url=https://www.ft.com/content/79b82827-9a21-3336-abcf-6b87010a5819 |access-date=2017-10-29 |website=Financial Times}}</ref> Alongside these sites, Houseful owns and operates several brands providing services to estate agents, housebuilders, brokers, lenders, and consumers. These include Jupix, Calcasa, Primelocation, Yourkeys and Mojo. ZPG Ltd., Houseful's previous parent company, which included the brands USwitch and Money.co.uk, was listed on the [[London Stock Exchange]] until it was acquired by [[Silver Lake Partners]] in July 2018.<ref name=":0" />
 
==History==
The company was originally founded as Zoopla in 2007 by [[Alex Chesterman]] and Simon Kain. Chesterman and Kain also founded ScreenSelect (later [[LoveFilm]]). <ref name=":0">{{cite web|url=http://www.zoopla.co.uk/about/ |title=About Zoopla! |accessdateaccess-date=2008-07-26}}</ref> The Zoopla website was launched in January 2008. Zoopla was backed by [[Accomplice (company)|Accomplice]], [[Octopus Groups|Octopus Ventures]] and other investors.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.atlasventure.com/ourportfolio/portfoliodetail.cfm?id=222 |title=Our portfolio – Zoopla |accessdateaccess-date=2008-07-26 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/commercial/article5536918.ece |title=Business Digest |accessdateaccess-date=2009-01-18 | location=London | work=The Times | date=2009-01-18}}</ref> In July 2009, Zoopla acquired property website Thinkproperty.com from the [[Guardian Media Group]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2009/jul/15/thinkproperty-zoopla-guardian-media-group |title=Zoopla buys Thinkproperty.com from Guardian Media Group |accessdateaccess-date=2009-07-28 | work=The Guardian | location=London | first=Mark | last=Sweney | date=2009-07-15}}</ref>
 
In August 2009, Zoopla acquired the PropertyFindersPropertyFinder Group, consisting of the websites PropertyfindersPropertyfinder.com, Hotproperty.co.uk and [[UK Property Shop]], from prior owners the REA Group and [[News International]] for an undisclosed sum.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2009/aug/07/news-international-propertfinders |title=News International sells PropertyFindersPropertyFinder website to Zoopla.co.uk |accessdateaccess-date=2009-08-08 | work=The Guardian | location=London | first=Mark | last=Sweney | date=2009-08-07}}</ref> These businesses had combined annual revenues of £7m7 million. In January 2011, Zoopla acquired the historic database of UK house prices HousePrices.co.uk.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.zoopla.co.uk/press/releases/zoopla-acquires-housepricescouk/ | title=Zoopla acquires Houseprices.co.uk | accessdateaccess-date=2016-01-19}}</ref>
 
In October 2011, Zoopla and Digital Property Group, the subsidiary of A&N Media, operating property websites Primelocation.com, [[Globrix]].com and FindaProperty.com, merged their respective businesses. In May 2012, Zoopla acquired property information website UpMyStreet.com.<ref>{{cite web| url= http://www.zoopla.co.uk/press/releases/zoopla-acquires-upmystreetcom/ | title=Zoopla acquires UpMyStreet.com – Zoopla | accessdateaccess-date=2012-11-08}}</ref>
 
In April 2016, Zoopla acquired property software firm PSG for £75 million from Lloyd’s private equity arm LDC.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Negotiator |first=The |date=2016-04-20 |title=Zoopla acquire PSG |url=https://thenegotiator.co.uk/property-software-group-psg-goes-zoopla-75-million/ |access-date=2023-12-06 |website=The Negotiator |language=en-GB}}</ref>
In June 2012, Zoopla and its constabularies formed Zoopla Property Group Ltd.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.zoopla.co.uk/press/releases/zoopla-and-digital-property-group-merger-completes/|title=Zoopla and Digital Property Group merger completes|date=1 June 2012|accessdate=8 September 2014}}</ref> In December 2012, Zoopla acquired property information website Globrix.com.<ref name="Estate Agent Today">{{cite web|url=http://www.estateagenttoday.co.uk/news_features/Zoopla-acquires-Globrix-as-it-steps-up-battle-against-Rightmove|title=Zoopla acquires Globrix as it steps up battle against Rightmove | work=Estate Agent Today|accessdate=8 September 2013}}</ref> In Spring 2013, Stephen Morana, formerly of [[Betfair]] Group Plc, was appointed new [[Chief financial officer|Chief Financial Officer]] (CFO).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cfo-insight.com/human-capital-career/executive-change/zoopla-property-group-taps-stephen-moran-as-new-cfo/|title=Zoopla Property Group taps Stephen Moran as new CFO|publisher=CFO Insight}}</ref> Zoopla's biggest shareholder, the [[Daily Mail and General Trust]] floated Zoopla on the [[London Stock Exchange]] in June 2014.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2014/jun/18/zoopla-float-property-website-919m-pounds|title=Zoopla float to value property website at £919m|publisher=The Guardian|date=18 June 2014|accessdate=8 September 2014}}</ref>
 
In May 2018, Hometrack sold off the Australian arm of its business for £71m. It was sold to property portal and media business REA.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lewis |first=Nigel |date=2018-05-01 |title=ZPG sells of Hometrack Australia to Oz counterpart the REA Group |url=https://thenegotiator.co.uk/hometrack-australia-zpg-sale-to-rea/ |access-date=2023-12-06 |website=The Negotiator |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Zoopla owner sells Aussie home valuation unit after 15 months |url=https://www.ft.com/content/3d34cf6e-4d0f-11e8-97e4-13afc22d86d4 |access-date=2023-12-06 |website=www.ft.com}}</ref> In January 2021, Hometrack acquired the mortgage automation arm of EDM Group.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Reporter |first=Financial |title=Hometrack acquires EDM’s mortgage automation arm |url=https://www.financialreporter.co.uk/mortgages/hometrack-acquires-edms-mortgage-automation-arm.html |access-date=2023-12-06 |website=Financial Reporter |language=en}}</ref>
In June 2015, Zoopla bought the price comparison website [[Uswitch]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-32529326|title=Zoopla to buy Uswitch price comparison site
|publisher=BBC}}</ref> In July 2016 it was revealed that Zoopla's CEO was one of the businessmen behind one of the legal challenges to the EU referendum result.<ref>[http://order-order.com/2016/07/04/zoopla-behind-anti-brexit-legal-action/ Zoopla CEO Behind Mishcon De Reya Anti-Brexit Legal Action - Guido Fawkes Euro Guido<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> In February 2017 the company changed its name to ZPG plc.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.propertyportalwatch.com/zoopla-property-group-changes-name-zpg/|title=Zoopla Property Group changes name to ZPG|publisher=Property Portal|date=7 February 2017|accessdate=2 June 2017}}</ref> In September 2017, Zoopla purchased the financial services comparison website Money.co.uk for £140 million.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://nordic.businessinsider.com/zoopla-buys-moneycouk-2017-9/|title=Zoopla is buying financial comparison site Money.co.uk in deal worth up to £140 million|website=nordic.businessinsider.com|access-date=2017-10-06}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.express.co.uk/finance/city/851617/zoopla-buys-financial-services-money-co-uk|title=Zoopla buys the financial services of Money.co.uk in deal worth up to £140m|date=2017-09-08|work=Express.co.uk|access-date=2017-10-06|language=en}}</ref>▼
 
In November 2020, ZPG sold the company Ravensworth back to its original owning entity, The Printed Group.<ref>{{cite web |date=18 Nov 2020 |title=ZPG sell off Ravensworth |url=https://propertyindustryeye.com/newsflash-zpg-sell-off-ravensworth/ |publisher=Property Industry Eye}}</ref>
In May 2018 US private equity firm [[Silver Lake Partners]] made a $2.2 Billion bid for the company.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cityam.com/285615/zooplas-parent-group-zpg-looks-set-taken-over-us-private|title=Zoopla's parent group ZPG looks set to be taken over by US private equity firm Silver Lake for £2.2bn|publisher=City AM|date=11 May 2018|accessdate=21 July 2018}}</ref> The transaction completed in July 2018.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.insidermedia.com/insider/national/court-sanctions-2.2bn-zpg-deal|title=Court sanctions £2,2 billion ZPG deal|publisher=Inside Media|date=10 July 2018|accessdate=21 July 2018}}</ref>
 
In April 2021, the company acquired software provider Yourkeys.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lewis |first=Nigel |date=2021-04-26 |title=BREAKING: Zoopla acquires sales progression platform YourKeys |url=https://thenegotiator.co.uk/yourkeys-zoopla-sales-progression/ |access-date=2023-12-06 |website=The Negotiator |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Salisbury |first=Ben |title=Zoopla acquires sales progression platform YourKeys - AIM Group |url=https://aimgroup.com/2021/04/27/zoopla-acquires-sales-progression-platform-yourkeys/ |access-date=2023-12-06 |website=aimgroup.com |language=en-US}}</ref>
==Operations==▼
[[File:Youssouf Mulumbu.jpg|thumb|Footballer [[Youssouf Mulumbu]] wearing a [[West Bromwich Albion]] shirt endorsed by Zoopla in 2013]]
ZPG owns a searchable directory of UK residential properties. It uses various open sources including the [[Royal Mail]]'s postcode database, the [[HM Land Registry]]'s data on property transactions in England and Wales, and [[Google]] maps.
 
=== 2012: Formation of Zoopla Property Group (ZPG) ===
Based on this data, Zoopla has developed an [[automated valuation model]], powered by Hometrack, that provides a computed valuation estimate for UK residential properties. Zoopla also allows users to claim their home or set a TemptMe price, similar to US website [[Zillow]]. Its analogue for valuing the Internet properties is DNPric.es. The accuracy of Zoopla's computed valuations is disputed.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.lovemoney.com/news/1804/whats-your-property-worth|title=What's your property worth?|work=lovemoney.com|accessdate=3 April 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://old.estateagenttoday.co.uk/news_features/Online-valuation-tools-Are-they-help-or-hindrance|title=Estate Agent Today|work=estateagenttoday.co.uk|accessdate=3 April 2015}}</ref>
In June 2012, Zoopla and its constabularies formed Zoopla Property Group Ltd.<ref>{{cite web |date=1 June 2012 |title=Zoopla and Digital Property Group merger completes |url=http://www.zoopla.co.uk/press/releases/zoopla-and-digital-property-group-merger-completes/ |access-date=8 September 2014}}</ref> Zoopla's biggest shareholder, the [[Daily Mail and General Trust]], floated Zoopla on the [[London Stock Exchange]] in June 2014.<ref>{{cite web |date=18 June 2014 |title=Zoopla float to value property website at £919m |url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2014/jun/18/zoopla-float-property-website-919m-pounds |access-date=8 September 2014 |work=The Guardian}}</ref>
 
▲|publisher=BBC}}</ref> In JulyJune 2016 it was revealed that2015, Zoopla's CEO was one ofbought the businessmenprice behindcomparison onewebsite of[[Uswitch]] thefor legal challenges to the EU referendum result£190m.<ref>[http://order-order.com/2016/07/04/zoopla-behind-anti-brexit-legal-action/{{cite Zooplanews CEO|date=30 BehindApril Mishcon2015 De|title=Zoopla Reyato Anti-Brexitbuy LegalUswitch Actionprice -comparison Guidosite Fawkes|work=BBC EuroNews Guido<!-|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business- Bot generated title -->]32529326}}</ref> In February 2017, the company changed its name to ZPG plc.<ref>{{cite web |date=7 February 2017 |title=Zoopla Property Group changes name to ZPG |url=http://www.propertyportalwatch.com/zoopla-property-group-changes-name-zpg/ |titleaccess-date=Zoopla2 PropertyJune Group2017 changes name to ZPG|publisher=Property Portal|date=7 February 2017|accessdate=2 June 2017}}</ref> In September 2017, Zoopla purchased the financial services comparison website Money.co.uk for £140 million.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://nordic.businessinsider.com/zoopla-buys-moneycouk-2017-9/ |title=Zoopla is buying financial comparison site Money.co.uk in deal worth up to £140 million |websiteurl=http://nordic.businessinsider.com/zoopla-buys-moneycouk-2017-9/ |access-date=2017-10-06 |website=nordic.businessinsider.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |urldate=http://www.express.co.uk/finance/city/851617/zoopla2017-buys09-financial-services-money-co-uk08 |title=Zoopla buys the financial services of Money.co.uk in deal worth up to £140m |datelanguage=2017-09-08en |work=Express.co.uk |url=http://www.express.co.uk/finance/city/851617/zoopla-buys-financial-services-money-co-uk |access-date=2017-10-06|language=en}}</ref>
==Sponsorship==
 
ZPG sponsored [[West Bromwich Albion Football Club]] from 2012 <ref>{{cite web|title=West Bromwich Albion|url=http://historicalkits.co.uk/West_Bromwich_Albion/West_Bromwich_Albion.htm|publisher=Historical Football Kits|accessdate=2 February 2014}}</ref> to January 2014. Founder Alex Chesterman, who is Jewish, decided to remove support of the club after an [[Quenelle (gesture)|allegedly anti-Semitic gesture]] from player [[Nicolas Anelka]] made headlines.<ref>{{cite news|title=Nicolas Anelka: West Brom sponsor Zoopla to end deal|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/25810659|accessdate=2 February 2014|newspaper=[[BBC Sport]]|date=20 January 2014}}</ref>
=== 2018: Acquisition of ZPG by Silver Lake Partners ===
In May 2018, [[United States|US]] private equity firm [[Silver Lake Partners]] made a $2.2 billion bid for ZPG's property division (now Houseful) and its comparison division RVU.<ref>{{cite web |date=11 May 2018 |title=Zoopla's parent group ZPG looks set to be taken over by US private equity firm Silver Lake for £2.2bn |url=http://www.cityam.com/285615/zooplas-parent-group-zpg-looks-set-taken-over-us-private |access-date=21 July 2018 |publisher=City AM}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Property Refurbishment London |url=https://london-refurbishment-company.co.uk/ |access-date=14 April 2023}}</ref> The transaction was completed in July 2018.<ref>{{cite web |date=10 July 2018 |title=Court sanctions £2,2 billion ZPG deal |url=https://www.insidermedia.com/insider/national/court-sanctions-2.2bn-zpg-deal |access-date=21 July 2018 |publisher=Inside Media}}</ref>
 
=== 2023: ZPG Property Division rebrands as Houseful ===
In September 2023, the ZPG property division was renamed Houseful to reflect the evolution of the business from a property website to a software, data and insights business in residential property. ZPG’s comparison division remains known as RVU.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Callaghan |first=David |date=2023-09-12 |title=Zoopla parent ZPG rebrands property division as 'Houseful' |url=https://thenegotiator.co.uk/goodbye-zoopla-hello-houseful-says-portal-parent/ |access-date=2023-12-06 |website=The Negotiator |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref name=":12">{{Cite web |title=ZPG's Property Division To Undergo Name Change To Houseful {{!}} Online Marketplaces |url=https://www.onlinemarketplaces.com/articles/zoopla-property-group-to-undergo-name-change-to-houseful/ |access-date=2023-12-06 |website=www.onlinemarketplaces.com |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Zoopla parent company unveils rebrand |url=https://www.estateagenttoday.co.uk/breaking-news/2023/9/zoopla-parent-company-unveils-rebrand |access-date=2023-12-06 |website=Estate Agent Today |language=en}}</ref>
 
▲==Operations==
Houseful operates across three distinct business units: Homes, Software, and Data and Risk. The Homes business unit includes Zoopla, Mojo Mortgages, and Prime Location.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=ZPG's Property Division To Undergo Name Change To Houseful {{!}} Online Marketplaces |url=https://www.onlinemarketplaces.com/articles/zoopla-property-group-to-undergo-name-change-to-houseful/ |access-date=2023-12-06 |website=www.onlinemarketplaces.com |language=en-US}}</ref>
 
The Software business unit connects businesses and consumers, powering more than half of all UK housing transactions each year. It includes brands Alto, Jupix, and Yourkeys.<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Callaghan |first=David |date=2023-09-12 |title=Zoopla parent ZPG rebrands property division as 'Houseful' |url=https://thenegotiator.co.uk/goodbye-zoopla-hello-houseful-says-portal-parent/ |access-date=2023-12-06 |website=The Negotiator |language=en-GB}}</ref>
==See also==
 
The Data and Risk business unit is focused on increased automation across the mortgage lending and wider property industries. It includes the brands of Hometrack and Calcasa.
*[[Property portal]]
*[[Rightmove]]
*[[Commercial People]]
*[[Nestoria]]
*[[Nuroa]]
*[[Zillow]]
 
==References==
Line 71 ⟶ 66:
 
==External links==
* [https://www.zpg.co.uk/ GroupsZPG website]
* [https://www.zoopla.co.uk/ Zoopla Property Portal]
 
{{Real estate in the United Kingdom}}
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