The Lettings Hub Group and Canopy complete management buyout, with Matt West appointed as CEO

The Canopy and The Lettings Hub Group are thrilled to announce the completion of a management buyout supported by, existing investors, Hay Wain. The transaction has recapitalised the corporate structure, supporting the group’s continued integration and enabling further investment in technology, data, operational expertise, and product innovation to better serve the lettings sector.

As part of the transition, Matt West has been appointed Chief Executive Officer, succeeding Gary Barker, who will move into the role of Executive Chairman and who will remain actively involved in the business.

This milestone marks an exciting new chapter for the combined business, providing the resources and strategic support to accelerate innovation, strengthen employee development, and continue delivering industry-leading solutions for the lettings sector.

Matt West previously served as CEO of Feefo and, since 2021, has worked as a mentor and advisor to businesses in chief revenue, growth, and commercial officer roles. A hands-on commercial leader, he brings over 25 years’ international experience supporting SaaS, fintech, media, and telecommunications businesses through periods of growth and transformation.

Matt West, CEO of The Canopy and The Lettings Hub Group, said:

“Coming into the business, I can see the significant progress the teams have already made. The group has onboarded more customers, strengthened the foundations of its platform, and introduced new partnerships that are making the rental journey faster, smarter, and more seamless for letting agents and tenants alike. With these foundations in place, we are now ready to enter the next phase of growth, including accelerated technology development in 2026 and the rollout of enhanced Renters’ Rights solutions.”

Customers can expect fresh product launches, innovative platform integrations, and market-leading solutions designed to make the lettings process smarter, faster, and more transparent at every step. The Canopy and The Lettings Hub Group are dedicated to continue providing their customers with the highest quality of service, with turnaround times for an Elite Reference now averaging under 2 days, and by elevating our service through 2025 and giving customers what they need, we’ve also reduced average call wait times to under 1 minute. Empowering people and making the rental journey easier for everyone.

Gary Barker, Executive Chairman, added:

“With the support of Hay Wain, we are entering a new phase of growth and innovation. This buyout allows us to invest further in our people and technology, delivering a unified solution that meets the evolving needs of the lettings industry today and in the future.”

Will Hales, Hay Wain, added:

“The Lettings Hub is widely recognised across the industry for its deep expertise in tenant referencing, while Canopy has built a strong proposition as market leading a property technology provider. Together, the businesses create a compelling end-to-end platform serving the private rented sector, build-to-rent, and student accommodation markets. We see a clear opportunity for the group to scale, innovate, and deliver long-term value for customers, and we are delighted to be actively supporting the management team through this next phase of growth.”

The Canopy and The Lettings Hub Group remain committed to supporting customers, partners, and employees throughout the transition, with a shared focus on innovation, service excellence, and long-term value for the lettings sector.