HousingAnywhere strengthens its executive leadership with 2 new C-level appointments
- Europe’s largest mid-to-long-term rental platform appoints Jim Bijwaard as Chief Operating Officer (COO) and Erik Gruwel as Chief Financial Officer (CFO).
- Along with Djordy Seelmann, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), the fortified C-Suite is set to accelerate customer-centric innovation and operational excellence to set a new standard of renting.
Rotterdam, August 30th 2023 - HousingAnywhere, Europe’s largest mid-to-long-term rental platform, announces the appointment of Jim Bijwaard as Chief Operating Officer (COO) and Erik Gruwel as Chief Financial Officer (CFO). Headquartered in Rotterdam, the scale-up continues its geographical expansion and improves its product offerings, and the formation of a dedicated C-Suite, including CEO Djordy Seelmann, underscores the company's commitment to adeptly managing its rapid growth and ensuring continuous innovation of its platform.
Djordy Seelmann, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of HousingAnywhere, said:
We have ambition and drive for further growth with a reason: to empower people to live wherever and however they choose. This requires accelerated innovation and operational excellence to accommodate and shape the changing landscape of the rental ecosystem. New leadership appointments symbolise our commitment towards our journey as well as towards the growing number of our dedicated team members.
HousingAnywhere recently announced its market expansion to key cities in the US and the UK and currently employs 340 people globally, which represents over two-fold growth in the last 18 months. Seelmann adds: “We are confident that the combined expertise and experience of Erik and Jim will further accelerate our growth while setting a new standard of renting.”
About Jim Bijwaard
Jim Bijwaard has joined HousingAnywhere as COO with extensive experience in online marketplace strategy and operations. He will spearhead daily operations, execute the company’s strategic vision, and ensure an exceptional customer experience. Before joining HousingAnywhere, Bijwaard gained significant experience through various positions at OLX Group, where he led strategy, analytics, venture investments, and product operations both in Europe and the Middle East. He is also an experienced start-up founder and strategy consultant for online marketplaces.
Jim Bijwaard, COO of HousingAnywhere, said:
I’m incredibly excited to join the HousingAnywhere team and mission to radically improve the renting experience. In my previous roles I have spent a lot of time envisioning what the future of renting would look like; while HousingAnywhere was already realising it. We have a strong position as the leading platform for mid-to-long-term rental housing in Europe, and we have immense potential for future growth in both existing and new segments of the rental markets.
About Erik Gruwel
Erik Gruwel has a proven track record and broad experience gained from senior financial positions in the consumer goods and medical industries across different countries. As HousingAnywhere's new CFO, Gruwel will play a key role in fortifying the company's financial performance to seamlessly align with both immediate and long-term objectives. He spent the last 8 years in Danone, as Global Sales, Category & Brands Finance Director and most recently as Global Finance Director of Data, Digital Transformation & Business Performance Management. Prior to joining Danone, he spent five years at Mars Incorporated in a variety of finance roles in Europe.
Erik Gruwel, Chief Financial Officer, said:
I am thrilled to become a part of HousingAnywhere's exceptional team, especially during this pivotal phase of the company for sustainable growth and innovation. I am enthusiastic about collaborating with a remarkable and forward-thinking cohort of leaders to go beyond what is expected. I eagerly anticipate contributing to the execution of our strategic direction, optimising operational efficiency, and fostering seamless integration across diverse business units.
About HousingAnywhere
HousingAnywhere is Europe’s largest mid-to-long-term rental platform. With Kamernet and Studapart under its umbrella, the company represents three fast-growing brands with over 30 million yearly unique visitors combined, 160,000+ properties available for rent and 100,000+ tenants finding their new homes in Europe and the US, based on the 2022 performance. Young professionals and students, mostly aged between 18 and 35, looking to rent a home are matched with accommodation providers; ranging from private real estate owners to large-scale property managers. Through its advanced platform, tenants typically book longer stays outside of their country of origin and rent accommodation for 3 to 12 months. Headquartered in Rotterdam, HousingAnywhere currently operates in most European cities and recently expanded to a number of key cities in the US, setting its footprint in more than 125 cities. The technology scale-up currently employs 340 people globally with its offices present in Rotterdam and Paris.
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