Technology

Posted on June 11, 2018 by staff

John Lewis Partnership acquires Opun

Technology

Home improvement tech start-up Opun has been acquired by the John Lewis Partnership.

The business, which has bases in London, Gatwick and Stoke-on-Trent, helps customers find local home improvement contractors and manages projects from start to finish using certified trade partners.

It now employs around 50 people.

John Lewis said the acquisition will strengthen the retailer’s position in the home services market while also complementing its home product range.

Following the acquisition, Opun, which was founded in 2013 and featured as one of BusinessCloud’s 101 Tech Start-up disrupters last year, will operate as a wholly-owned subsidiary of the John Lewis Partnership and will retain its own brand.

“We founded Opun with a view to revolutionising the home improvement experience, putting customer values first and delivering a world class service using technology as our backbone,” founders Rod Brown and John Cushing said.

“We are delighted to be joining John Lewis, which shares the same values as Opun.”

Cushing told BusinessCloud last year that its mission was save the £1 billion wasted by people on botched jobs and cowboy builders every year. It raised £5.5 million in funding prior to the acquisition.

Sean Allam, director of commercial operations at John Lewis, said: “John Lewis is known for its home product offer, and for delivering exceptional customer service.

“Opun’s commitment to end-to-end customer service chimes with our values, and we think it’s a great fit for John Lewis customers.

“This acquisition will improve our capability in the home services market, built through our own trials with John Lewis Home Solutions.”

NOTE: Our original story on Friday 8th June concerned Opun Group entering administration. The article has now been updated to reflect the sale to John Lewis.