The Housekeep story
The home cleaning industry wasn’t working.
You might find a good cleaner - if you got lucky through a neighbour or a local website. You could get your house cleaned – but you had to remember to get cash out and trust a stranger with your keys. And cleaners could find work – but they had to travel all over the place and hope they’d get paid on time.
So we set up Housekeep: to do cleaning better.
Our management team has over 50 years’ experience building fast-growing consumer businesses. We’ve been involved in some of the UK’s most exciting startups, including Deliveroo, Zipcar, Laundrapp and Utility Warehouse. If something’s not quite as good as it could be, we improve it. If it’s glitchy, we fix it. If the industry’s wrong, we make it right.
We’ve combined smart people with smarter tech to help customers find a brilliant local cleaner. We help them manage every part of the process seamlessly – from click, to clean, to cashless payment. And we help cleaners find work, spend less time travelling between jobs and get paid on time, every time.
With the backing of some of the best investors in the UK, we’ve quickly grown into the UK’s largest home cleaning service. Now our mission is to ‘own the home’ and become the trusted provider for all household chores. We’re now helping customers find the perfect tradesperson for any job in their home including plumbers, electricians, gardeners and handymen.
We make housework work.
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The Housekeep Team
Avin
Founder and CEO
What I do
My job is to set the vision & strategy for Housekeep and then to recruit ridiculously capable, motivated people to deliver it.
Background
Before founding Housekeep, I worked in venture capital investing in and working alongside some of the UK’s most successful consumer technology startups like Zipcar, myhomemove & Kings Court Trust. I’m also an active angel investor in 40+ businesses. Prior to this, I worked in management consulting and investment banking.
Ask me about…
Travel. Eating & drinking. Sport. Excel. Books. Startups. Technology.
Most hated cleaning task
Wrong question for me, in fact it’s hard to pick a favourite. Vacuuming, stacking dishwashers & ironing are all serious passions.
What I’d rather be doing (than cleaning)
Travelling the world, exploring new places (whilst obsessively checking in to see what’s going on in the office).
Charlie
Head of Customer Experience
What I do
My aim is to make Housekeep so effortless that our customers never have to think about cleaning ever again. And so simple that our Housekeepers can get on with what they do best - provide five star cleans. I do this by understanding our users’ experience in-depth (think data, focus groups, and lots of post-it notes). I then work with tech, marketing, product, and operations to deliver great customer experiences.
I also lead our amazing Support Team - who provide top-notch support to our customers and Housekeepers.
Background
I am proud to have worked in customer service teams for all of my career. Before joining Housekeep I worked in various customer related roles for Utility Warehouse, an award winning multi-service utility provider, first as an adviser and then as Head of Customer Service.
Ask me about
History. Red wine. Discovering London. And of course I am super passionate about exceptional customer service and great customer experiences.
Most hated cleaning task
Ohhh - there’s so many. But I particularly hate (HATE!) changing the bedsheets. It’s just such a faff.
What I’d rather be doing (than cleaning)
In a museum or gallery. Followed by an amazing restaurant.
Chris
Head of Technology
What I do
My goal is to use technology to continually improve the experience of our Housekeepers, customers and Head Office staff. I do this by finding problems, identifying how they can be solved with technology, then architecting and building the solutions. I'm also responsible for setting development standards and best practices in the tech team.
Background
I have been working in technology startups for ten years in various (and usually overlapping) developer, technical architect, managerial, advisory and investor roles. Prior to joining Housekeep I was CTO of Grabble, an award-winning fashion app.
Ask me about
Technology, cashback and freebies, travel, learning languages, SCUBA diving, and whether "architect" can be used as a verb.
Most hated cleaning task
Emptying the bins 🤢
What I’d rather be doing (than cleaning)
Finding new ways to save money (I'm quite thrifty) then blowing all my savings on luxury travel.
Diana
Head of Product
What I do
My job is to help guide our team in developing the ‘right’ product for our customers and Housekeepers. Practically this means I am responsible for making sure Housekeep is easy to use, and that we prioritise the right improvements and features.
Background
I came to Product Management through design and a love of working with others to discover and solve problems. Before joining Housekeep in March 2018, I was at Addison Lee where I led the delivery of their consumer mobile app (120k users per week) and enterprise driver application (3.5k users per week).
Ask me about
User testing, design, scuba diving and vegan cakes.
Most hated cleaning task
Bathrooms
What I would rather be doing (than cleaning)
It’s a cliché, but I really do love travelling. I grew up in Botswana and Hong Kong, so I guess that inspired my wanderlust!
Liam
Head of Digital Marketing
What I do
I’m responsible for acquiring and retaining customers. I do that by improving the product and experience for both customers and Housekeepers. Happy Housekeepers = happy customers.
Background
Before joining Housekeep I managed various marketing channels at Addison Lee including CRM, performance marketing and their £50m taxi booking website. And before that, I set up and ran the marketing and design functions of a sporting goods SME.
Ask me about
Design. User experience. Data and analytics. Inappropriate jokes. Deadlifting. Beard growing.
Most hated cleaning task
The cooker hood. Yuck.
What I’d rather be doing (than cleaning)
In a field. Watching a band. With a beer in my hand and the sun on my back.
Lisa
Head of Operations
What I do
I've been at Housekeep from the beginning so I'm your go to person for all things Housekeep. I figure out how to build and improve the new, and merge with the old, whether a new service such as deep cleaning and tradespeople or a new city. I'm responsible for managing our Housekeeper recruitment team and ensuring we onboard and retain 5* Housekeepers by improving communications and processes. I also lead our deep cleaning and tradespeople teams.
Background
Before joining Housekeep I managed a network of training centres nationally delivering skills and employability contracts for adults. Exchange Group engaged with unemployed and low skilled adults helping them gain qualifications and supporting them back into employment.
Ask me about...
Street art, ghost signs, food and wine
Most hated cleaning task
Windows – thank goodness for the invention of the e-cloth!
What I’d rather be doing (than cleaning)
Traveling to new cities I haven't explored or a long lazy lunch in the sunshine with friends and family.
Guillaume
Senior Software Engineer
What I do
Find a problem, research it, solve it, repeat. I do my best to produce the highest quality software I can, and I try to use my recent experience to support our junior engineers as much as I can.
Background
I've worked as a pastry chef then as a hot kitchen chef for 10 years. About 2,5 years ago I decided it was time for a change and learned programming by enrolling in a 4-month bootcamp, and Housekeep hired me after I graduated! \o/
Ask me about
Software, obviously. Also computer hardware, video games, cooking, physics, astronomy... Anything really. If I don't know I'll look it up. Knowledge is power!
Most hated cleaning task
Fryers in professional kitchens. Extraction fans and drains aren't far behind.
What I’d rather be doing (than cleaning)
Learning how to play chess. Or how to draw. Or how to code a video game.
Alex
Frontend Engineer
What I do
I work as one of the developers in our Tech team to provide the technology our Housekeepers and Operations team need to do their jobs, as well as building the app to help our customers find five star housekeepers!
Background
I moved to London 10 years ago after graduating with a degree in Social Work from Edinburgh. Before joining Housekeep, I was Deputy Head of Service for a Local Authority’s Social Care Services. I volunteer with local charities and was Chair of the Board of Directors of a Learning Disability charity for two years.
Ask me about…
Mental Health. Podcasts. Pop Psychology. Mobile Phones. Most Sports
Most hated cleaning task
The dishes! I’m too tall for most sinks so my back is aching two minutes in!
What I’d rather be doing (than cleaning)
Watching sport (any sport) with friends.
Georgie
Software Engineer
What I do
I work within the software team to help improve the experience of everyone who works with or on our platform. I do my best to fix problems and create features whilst constantly improving how I do so.
Background
Before launching myself into the world of software, I spent 7 years working in Film and TV. I loved that my two work days were never the same and I had to problem solve on the fly. However, I got bored of doing this in the rain. Working in software has all my favourite things about film, without being damp, so the switch has been a win all round.
Ask me about
My dog, comic books, photography, mountains (in all regards - food, walks, snow sports), video games and tattoos.
Most hated cleaning task
The awkward bits in the bathroom that are always yucky.
What I'd rather be doing (than cleaning)
Eating mountain food, specifically at the top of a mountain.
Rob
Senior Software Engineer
What I do
I work with the product team to build features on our platform to make sure our housekeepers and customers have a great experience with Housekeep.
Background
I studied general engineering at university, then went travelling for a few months. I moved to London to work in venture capital, then worked as a software engineer for a healthcare software company.
Ask me about
Learning French, racquet sports, theatre
Most hated cleaning task
The awkward bits down the sides of furniture.
What I’d rather be doing (than cleaning)
Exploring an interesting new city.
Daria
Product Manager
What I do
My goal is to make sure the team focuses most effort on the most meaningful improvements, and thus every customer’s interaction with Housekeep is smooth and efficient.
Background
I moved to London 12 years ago to get my MSc from LSE. My career began in a media startup, and since then I’ve worked with a wide variety of hardware and software startups. I’m one of the most curious people I know, so product management feels like a perfect job!
Ask me about
Cognitive biases. European art museums. Ancient Greece. Managing curly hair.
Most hated cleaning task
Vacuum cleaning, I think that vacuum is clean enough.
What I’d rather be doing (than cleaning)
Walking in Regents Park with an audiobook.
Oli
Product Manager
What I do
I make sure our Tech team knows what to build in order to make it easier for Housekeepers to sign up and join the Housekeep platform, use app and find customers or find help if they need it. Once the Tech team has made a change, I use data and feedback to try and prove that it did indeed make our Housekeepers' lives easier and inform what I ask the Tech team to build next.
Background
Before joining Housekeep I ran my own Digital consultancy firm and before that, I worked at Barclays Bank building digital products and services for customers and staff members. Back in the mists of time, I worked in advertising.
Ask me about
Product design, user behaviour, what art exhibitions are opening, whose headlining which music festivals or why Tottenham can’t keep a clean sheet.
Most hated cleaning task
Bin night. Why does it always have to be bin night?
What I’d rather be doing (than cleaning)
At Lords watching the cricket or at the Lane watching the football.
Ninitye
Product Designer
What I do
My job is to create the best product possible by making it easy to use and user friendly. My aim is to make Housekeep products more intuitive and effortless for Housekeepers, customers, and everyone at the head office. I do this by coming up with the best design solution then testing with the users and making a data driven decision that's user friendly.
Background
I studied architecture and eventually fell in love with Digital Product Design. Before joining Housekeep, I was working for an online gaming platform that had users from 100+ different countries.
Ask me about
Indoor Planting, Painting, Books or anything related to product design.
Most hated cleaning task
All cleaning tasks.
What I’d rather be doing (than cleaning)
Reading a book or designing something cool.
Michael
Operations Manager
What I do?
My role is to manage Trades from recruiting to vetting the contractors for reliable network supply. Ensure our customers are getting the best service/quality of works and dealing with the background stuff so you can sit back and relax!
Background
After studying business computing and a huge interest in online gaming throughout my life, this gave me inspiration for my career. After 5 years of doing non-related tech jobs and a bit of luck, I managed to finally break into the tech/platform industry which has been a life-changer.
Ask me about
Gaming, Technology and Takeout Food.
Most hated cleaning task
Cleaning the bathroom.
What I'd rather be doing (than cleaning)
Being on an all-inclusive holiday.
Henry
Digital Marketing Manager
What I do
I spend half of my time as a Marketing Exec, writing content for our website, running our social media accounts & building out partnerships – so we can get more customers & more Housekeepers. For the rest of the week, I'm a Team Lead in our Operations & Customer Service team. Here, I focus on improving our user comms & Help Centre, and helping my fab team deliver 5* customer service.
Background
Before Housekeep, I studied English at Queen Mary here in London, where I finished my studies with a dissertation on Kafka & the modern philosophical unease. I spent my holidays as a crew trainer at a fast food restaurant in my hometown of Stroud in the Cotswolds.
Ask me about
Obscure house music, the E2 postcode area & where to go dancing this weekend.
Most hated cleaning task
Where to begin…? I’ll go for the oven; nobody likes the oven.
What I’d rather be doing (than cleaning)
In good company, with good food and good conversation.
Kriti
Senior Customer Service & Operations Executive
What I do
My day consists of liasing with customers and Housekeepers and making the whole cleaning experience smooth for both of them.
Background
Before joining Housekeep I worked with Freauty which is an online platform that offers on demand beauty services. Before that I was working in India for a wealth management company.
Ask me about
Travelling. Skincare.
Most hated cleaning task
I actually love cleaning. Find it very therapeutic!
What I’d rather be doing (than cleaning)
Cooking a big meal for friends and family.
Amy
Senior Customer Service & Operations Executive
Ask me about…
Hasna
Customer Service & Operations Executive
What I do
I'm here to answer any queries and resolve any issues you may have about your cleans. You may catch me in our deep and trade team to help get you booked in for our new services. I also work on the weekend as our customer service team is open Monday to Sunday to ensure our customers have round-the-clock service. So give me a shout out if you need assistance on the weekend!
Background
I've lived in London my whole life and graduated from Queen Mary University with a degree in Biomedical Engineering. I've been with Housekeeper since 2016 and it's amazing that I've been part of Housekeeps growth.
Ask me about
Travelling and volunteering abroad
Most hated cleaning tasks
Toilets....eww!
What I’d rather be doing (than cleaning)
Going for a walk or eating chocolate
Hannah
Customer Service & Operations Executive
What I do
I'm here to help customers and Housekeepers with any questions or issues they may have. If there's a job clashing in your schedule, or you have a GDPR query, I'm your go-to person!
Background
Before I joined Housekeep in 2018, I studied Music and Media Management at the University of Gloucestershire. I've had a broad range of jobs over the years, and have even been a cleaner previously for a well-known short-break holiday company.
Ask me about
Console gaming, theme parks, anything Disney-related, and my favourite band The Script
Most hated cleaning task
Either cleaning the bath (lots of elbow grease required) or dusting (surfaces never stays dust-free for long enough)
What I'd rather be doing (than cleaning)
Playing a good game (video, board, or card) with my family, riding the best rollercoasters with my husband, or seeing The Script with my friends
Keziah
Customer Service & Operations Executive
What I do
I make sure both Housekeep's customers and Housekeepers have the best experience possible! This is mostly day-to-day customer experience, but I also suggest improvements to the site.
Background
Prior to joining Housekeep, I graduated from the University of Kent with a degree in American Studies. I mainly focused on political history, completing a dissertation on the use of media in various different Presidencies.
Ask me about…
Anything related to tennis... or gin!
Most hated cleaning task
Emptying the bin
What I’d rather be doing (than cleaning)
Laying on a beach, with a cocktail in one hand and a book in another 😎
Mattia
Housekeeper & Operations Executive
What I do
As part of the Recruitment Team, I welcome new Housekeepers on our platform, make sure they are all set to start with their customers, and ensure they have the best experience.
Background
I have a background in classical studies in Italy, but I worked in nursing most of my life.
Before joining the Team, I was a Housekeeper on the platform while studying English.
Ask me about
Cycling, baking, Sci-Fi Literature and 3D printing
Most hated cleaning task
Washing up dishes
What I'd rather be doing (than cleaning)
Learning new languages and making Tiramisù!
Emily
Housekeeper & Operations Executive
What I do
I help look after our brilliant Housekeepers on the platform, ensuring they have everything they need throughout the day to provide fantastic service to our customers. Between liaising and problem-solving I help out the recruitment team to ensure we’re finding more and more exceptional Housekeepers to join us.
Background
I used to work in hospitality, bars, clubs and coffee shops after studying for my degree in Film and Television from the University of Reading. I’ve done some writing, some content creation and half wrote a podcast over lockdown.
Ask me about
Pasta sauces. Ceramics. Dungeons and Dragons. How to make terrible coffee.
Most hated cleaning task
The bins :(
What I’d rather be doing (than cleaning)
Beer and bands and board games
Jade
Housekeeper & Operations Executive
What I do
I help find amazing Housekeepers to work with us and deliver 5-star cleans to all their customers. I'm here to support them with everything they need, from setting up their account, to managing their app on a day to day basis.
Background
I studied film production at university and have been writing short stories ever since, before joining Housekeep I worked in a cinema and have had other customer facing roles.
Ask me about
Film and TV, Marvel and DC, Coffee and Tea. The rule of three.
Most hated cleaning task
Dusting, there's just constant dust and when I try to wipe it up I just move it around...
What I’d rather be doing (than cleaning)
Paintballing or escaping a room, always followed by a nap.
