Ten Years in Property Data and the Conveyancing Evolution

Last month, Jonny Davey celebrated an incredible milestone – ten years at Geodesys! From his early days as a Product Manager to his current role as Business Development Manager, Jonny’s has seen how Geodesys and the conveyancing industry has evolved over the years.

To mark the occasion of his anniversary, we caught up with Jonny as he reflected on a decade of transformation both personally and professionally. From shifting customer expectations to the rise of digital everything, the world of property data and conveyancing has changed dramatically. And of course, we couldn’t resist asking Jonny to share a few predictions for where he sees Geodesys going in the future.  

Tell us a bit about yourself.

Well, where to start! I’m one of six siblings born and raised in the lively town of Didcot in Oxfordshire, where I lived right up until 14 years ago. I grew up in a wonderfully chaotic, music-filled household, with the usual sibling squabbles, endless games, and a fair share of cats and dogs... you get the picture. Oh, and then there was football - that's all I seemed to do every weekend and all summer.

Life took a few unexpected turns, and eventually brought me to Bourne in Lincolnshire, where I now live with my partner and our 8-year-old son, Otis. He’s full of energy and keeps me young at heart, just like the old days!  

When did you first start at Geodesys, and what was your first role?

I joined Geodesys back in May 2015 as a Product Manager, a role I’d already been doing for 16 years across a few different industries. My role was all about overseeing our third-party search portfolio, working with a range of suppliers. That meant everything from managing relationships and negotiating costs to setting prices, tracking delivery times, and helping bring new products to market. It was a great way to get stuck into the role and industry.

How has your role changed over the years?

I still handle the product management responsibilities but now, as Business Development Manager, I also focus my time on leading the sales team and exploring strategic opportunities with other key players in the market.

What has been your proudest achievement since joining the team at Geodesys?

I recently headed up a bid to secure a contract with Southern Water. The bid was to become the ordering and delivery partner for their clients to order the Southern Water CON29DW from. Our platform also offers their clients to order all their conveyancing searches from one place.  

After a long two-year journey, we won the bid!  It is now in place, up and running, all within five months of being awarded the contract. It was a terrific piece of work from all involved and so rewarding for me personally.

What have been some of the biggest challenges you've faced and how did you overcome them?

Balancing work and personal commitments, and still being present to both sides, is never easy. Over the last couple of years there have been all sorts of stresses and challenges on both sides. But I feel I have navigated things successfully and remained an attentive and loving partner, son, brother and dad while also giving my best at work and maintaining strong relationships with colleagues. It might seem a normal thing to achieve, but it isn’t always that easy! A sense of humour helps and that is something I have always tried to use to get through tougher moments.

How has the market for the CON29DW changed over the years?

Over the years, the market for the CON29DW has evolved significantly, and that evolution has only strengthened the product’s value and reputation. Industry bodies, like The Law Society and The DWSN, have crafted a product that really is fit for purpose. Lenders and homebuyers should not have to put up with guesswork, shoddy data analysis and insurance covering up for lack of due diligence. The CON29DW is the gold standard of drainage and water searches, and the level of trust home buyers can place in it as a product has never been higher. Competition has grown over this time, but I believe that has driven innovation and the high quality of the product.

What advancements have you seen impact the conveyancing search sector, and how has Geodesys adapted to those changes?

High-quality data presented in an engaging way should be at the heart of every property transaction in the UK. We were first to market with a specific’ New Build’ offering and the first CON29DW with an improved look and an interactive dashboard. Our goal has always been to make it easier for conveyancers and homebuyers to read and interpret the data in the reports.

Case Management offerings have cropped up everywhere over the last few years. We have had to fight hard to ensure the pure quality of our offering shines through to our customers. Thankfully, we have adapted quickly, and we continue to ensure that our clients, who include all the biggest search companies, get the best report available.  

With the increasing role of technology in conveyancing, how do you see the future of the industry in the next 10 years?

Data. Data. Data. When people are investing hundreds of thousands of pounds into their home or business premises, they deserve to know all they can. They should also receive that information as quickly as possible, with clear accountability from the data provider. The idea of providing proper 'up front information' will eventually become a reality, once everyone’s needs are aligned and there’s strong governance in place to support it. A potential solution could be something like a 'property passport,' like what we have for cars, constantly updated and readily available. It should be something we all strive for.  

How do you envision Geodesys’ future in the conveyancing industry?

I see two main things. Firstly, we will remain at the forefront of the CON29DW world, where we already produce the Anglian Water products, the Southern Water products and are involved in the look and feel of the Northumbrian Water products.

Secondly, we will drive efficiencies across the market with the data we have access to – working in partnership with a wide range of companies to deliver excellent property (and maybe other sector) information flawlessly.

What do you enjoy most about your role, especially working in a sector like conveyancing that can be quite traditional?

I like to think that the energy and enthusiasm, we as Geodesys, bring to the market is welcomed and often steps outside the traditional conveyancing world. I try and embody that approach, so I enjoy meeting and engaging with colleagues, partners and customers from all over the industry.

When I am out and about talking about our products and solutions, that's when I am the happiest.

Jonny's contributions to Geodesys over the years have been fantastic. We’re excited to see where he and Geodesys go next!

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