The challenger portal has headhunted Andy Stewart, who is a long-established portal player with long stints at Propertyfinder and Zoopla.

Michael Bruce is said to have been courted by City investors in recent days as he looks for the million necessary to take on Rightmove and Zoopla.

Many business leaders and large agency groupings have been shown the platform and say it is well funded and will take on the portals.

The importance of the key listings portals isn’t in doubt, but their continued dominance may be, says Lisa Isaacs.

Challenger portal is inviting agents to pre-register ahead of its full launch in two months' time, and has welcomed competition from Michael Bruce's new venture, Boomin.

The new business under development by the Purplebricks founders, Michael and Kenny Bruce, has been revealed – with some ideas of what it sets out to achieve.