Pocket Living has announced that Marc Vlessing is stepping down as chair of the company at the end of this month.
Along with Paul Harbard, Vlessing founded Pocket Living more than 20 years ago and his move to the chair role two years ago was conceived as part of a transition, allowing him to provide strategic oversight while the executive leadership team, under CEO Paul Rickard, took operational responsibility for the business.
After leaving the business, Vlessing will focus on his role as senior partner at London-based investment and advisory firm Namier Capital Partners and his chairmanship of ProVen Growth & Income VCT. He will also continue to offer his housing, finance and political experience as an adviser to the public and the private sectors.
Vlessing said: “I am enormously proud of everything we have built together over more than two decades and this feels like a natural moment to focus on the next stage of my career. When I took on the role of chair in April 2024, the intention was always to complete a structured handover and ensure the business was in strong hands – and it is.
“Paul Rickard and the Pocket team have demonstrated the leadership and creativity this company needs to grow to the next stage of its development. Pocket remains a business with purpose at its heart, with a brilliant team and a model that continues to offer one of the best solutions to London’s housing challenge. I leave with great confidence in Pocket’s future and am looking forward to the next chapter with Namier Capital, which I have joined as a senior partner and co-owner, as well as my other advisory work in the public and private sector.”
Rickard added: “Marc’s contribution to Pocket Living – and to London housing more broadly – is simply extraordinary. He and his partner built a business from scratch, invented a product category, and proved that doing the right thing and building a successful company are not in conflict. The transition we have been managing since April 2024 has been deliberate and smooth, and I am grateful for Marc’s support throughout. The team, the vision, and the next stage of Pockets growth are all in great shape, and we look forward to the next chapter with great excitement.”
