Editor's note: This brief was summarised by The Property AI Newsroom from a report by The Negotiator. Read the original article for full details.
Charles Dunstone No Longer Listed as Person of Significant Control at Strike
Charles Dunstone is no longer listed as a person of significant control at Strike, the parent company of Purplebricks, according to recent Companies House filings. Instead, Dunstone's investment vehicle, Freston Ventures, is now recorded as having significant control of Strike.
Companies House documents also show that both Purplebricks and Strike have overdue annual accounts for the year ending March 2025. The deadline for filing these accounts was 24 June. Companies House typically issues a striking off notice as a formal warning when accounts are overdue, but there is currently no sign of such a notice and no suggestion of wrongdoing.
Purplebricks, Strike, and Freston Ventures have been asked for comment regarding these developments.
Recent Changes at Purplebricks
Purplebricks has experienced several changes in recent months. Michael Bruce, the original founder of Purplebricks, returned to the business in June after being named as a director at Strike Limited. Bruce previously served as chief executive of Purplebricks before leaving in 2019.
There have also been director departures at the company. Andrew Harrison, a partner at Freston Ventures and former chairman of Strike, had his appointment as director terminated at the start of July, as did John Stevenson, a director at investment firm Vanneck.
Purplebricks was sold to Strike for £1 in June 2023. The Strike brand has since been retired, with operations now continuing under the Purplebricks name.
Source: The Negotiator