A fully qualified chartered surveyor, Stones has over 35 years of experience working across the residential property market.

He rejoins Countrywide after two and a half years working in roles across fintech and proptech startups and as a visiting industry fellow at Oxford Brookes University.

He previously held board level director positions at Countrywide in both operational and technical roles spanning 19 years.

Stones will continue to pursue his interest in artificial intelligence and machine learning and how they might be used in the property sector.

In his new role, he will lead and develop Countryside’s valuation and property risk advisory services to the company’s lender client base.

Stones says: “I am greatly looking forward to working once again with colleagues old and new and hope that my years of experience across the sector will add value to both Countrywide Surveying Services and its ever-growing client base.”

Countrywide Surveying Services managing director Matthew Cumber says: “We welcome Martyn back into the CSS fold with open arms as he has played a crucial role in helping to build and support the business in many key areas over a number of years.

“The additional knowledge and experience generated by his short hiatus will certainly arm us with the type of intel and insight which will help us to evolve as a business and further improve how we meet the needs of our customers and lending partners going forward.”