Ex-Foxtons chief faces probe over secret client list

12 April 2012

A former Foxtons senior director could face an investigation under privacy laws after being accused of stealing the property firm's secret client list to set up a rival agency.

Timothy Hassell, 32, is said to have used the data to poach customers for Draker Lettings, which he set up with his partner Christopher Andrew.

The couple are being sued by Foxtons for the alleged theft of the "highly sensitive and valuable" database, which it spends £3 million a year maintaining. Today it emerged they could face a further inquiry, by the Information Commissioner's Office, over apparent breaches of the Data Protection Act.

The office can prosecute companies or individuals and issue fines of up to £500,000. A spokesman said it would consider investigating the couple. "Any stolen information and personal information would be a serious breach of the Data Protection Act, and something we would definitely be interested in and would get involved with," he said.

Mr Hassell was an operations director and lettings manager who spent 12 years at Foxtons. He left in January to start Draker, based in Sloane Square. Mr Andrew, 37, is a co-director and shareholder.

A writ lodged at the High Court claims Mr Hassell stole details relating to 2,500 clients, including banking and contact details. The parties are in talks over an out-of-court settlement.

Mr Hassell said: "I did something very stupid. I regret what I did. All I care about is running a good business."

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