About Lightstone
Lightstone was founded in 2005 to provide analytical solutions and products to a range of geographic dependent industries. The business is built around a core competence in analysis of a wide variety of data types, particularly in a spatial manner. Together with our staff's understanding and experience in the financial services, retail, government and property sectors, Lightstone customizes its products and solutions to address the needs of its diverse client base.
At the outset, Lightstone initially developed an Automated Valuation Model (AVM) for residential properties in partnership with Strategis Consulting (founded in early 2002), which provided skills in geographic information systems (GIS) and statistical analytics. Strategis was initially a shareholder in Lightstone and also supplied data and analytic services to Lightstone. However, in 2007, Lightstone and Strategis merged to become Lightstone, a single entity with Anthony Miller, Ria Pretorius, Trevor Holmes and Andrew Watt as executive directors of the business.
Since 2007, Lightstone has grown revenues and its client base rapidly and expanded its service offering which initially focused on mortgage lenders. Lightstone now offers a range of web-based information systems, data management and consulting services to banks, municipalities, retailers, property professionals (e.g. estate agents and valuers) and other major corporations.
In the 'consumer-facing sector' Lightstone has a number of interesting offerings including:
- Data quality solutions
Provision of customised data cleansing, standardising, geo-coding and enrichment solutions that enable clients to dramatically improve CRM, strategic decision-making and risk management. The services are delivered using Dataflux, the global leader in data quality software, and typically include an upfront batch component and an ongoing maintenance component.
- Spatial solutions
Spatial and statistical modeling solutions to help clients answer important geographic questions.
Philosophy
We desire to help our clients implement sustainable solutions that benefit their organisations. We are always prepare to build new or enhance existing products in answer to our client's needs and enjoy 'thinking out of the box' to build creative solutions. We have a rigorous approach and develop solutions that are customized to meet the business needs of our clients.
Lightstone clients
Lightstone provides its solutions to a number of customer categories. These are outlined below:
- Banking clients
Lightstone provides automated valuation solutions, property market intelligence and risk management solutions to all five leading mortgage banks (including SA Home Loans). In addition Lightstone has developed a broad set of smaller clients from specialist mortgage lenders to bridging finance providers.
- Municipal clients
Lightstone has assisted with the revaluation of properties for the Municipal Rates Act for several leading municipalities including Joburg, Tshwane, Dihlabeng and Belfast. Advanced discussions with other leading municipalities to provide a range of services are underway.
- Estate Agents
Lightstone has developed a range of market leading property tools for use by Estate Agents in analysing the property market and obtaining detailed property information. Its clients include Pam Golding, Seeff, ERA, Remax, Engel and Voelkers.
- Valuers
Lightstone provides a range of property related services professional valuation agencies.
- Consulting clients
Lightstone provides spatial analytical and data solutions to a range of large consumer related business including retailers, motor dealers , telecommunications companies and property investors/developers.
Our people
Anthony Miller (Managing Director)
anthonym@lightstone.co.za
Anthony joined from the management consultancy McKinsey to found and run the business. Anthony was with McKinsey from May 1999 to December 2005. He was part of McKinsey's Financial Institutions Group and worked extensively at two South African financial institutions. Prior to McKinsey he worked as an engineer in the Anglo American Group. Anthony has a mechanical engineering degree from the University of Cape Town and an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management (Finance and Strategy). He has also been selected by the World Economic Forum as one of its Young Global Leaders in 2009.
Andrew Watt
andreww@lightstone.co.za
Andrew joined Lightstone in early 2007 from Nedbank Business Banking where he was Head of Strategy and Marketing. Prior to that Andrew spent 5 years at McKinsey in Johannesburg and London where he specialized in financial services, retail and operations. Andrew has also worked for Spoor and Fisher where he focused on patents and trademark law and was a graduate trainee on the Unilever Management Development Program. Andrew has a chemical engineering degree from the University of Cape Town and an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management (Finance and Entrepreneurship). Andrew leads Lightstone's work with its banking and valuer clients.
Bronwen Chase
bronwenc@lightstone.co.za
Bronwen recently joined Lightstone from McKinsey to lead the retail, consulting and data management side of the business. She spent 6 years at McKinsey focusing on retail and consumer goods clients, particularly in the fields of marketing and operations. Bronwen has a Honours degree in Science from the University of Cape Town.
Hayley Ivins
hayleyi@lightstone.co.za
Hayley joined Lightstone from Nedbank where she was Head of Branches & ATMs, and previously managed their GIS Unit. She has an Honours degree in GIS & Development Studies, with 15 years experience in the Spatial Analysis arena. The financial services industry covered 8 years of this experience where the key responsibility was on Outlet Distribution Strategy. Hayley now leads Lightstone services to Estate Agents.
Una Perovic
unap@lightstone.co.za
Una Perovic worked in consulting at IQ Business Group before she joined Lightstone where she is part of the real estate team and manages non-banking clients, channel partners and valuers, which include Windeed, Direct Axis, Private Property, DDP Valuers, Abalaing Valuers, Virgin Money, Real Estate Web, NHFC. Una has a Masters degree in Electrical Engineering from Wits University.
Amanda Dovey
amandad@lightstone.co.za
Amanda joined Lightstone in 2007 as project manager working with the software development team. She has several years experience working in the property arena specializing in mortgage origination. Since joining Lightstone she has been actively involved in the development, support and ongoing maintenance and improvement of all Lightstone software offerings.