Stock image.
Camera IconStock image. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

Venueswest fields complaints from members after former employee uses email list in new business

Denise S. CahillWestern Suburbs Weekly

VENUESWEST has received more than 50 complaints from members who received an unsolicited email from a former employee turned real estate agent.

On Wednesday, November 8, Pierre Sylvain sent an email to VenuesWest members stating that he had joined Mack Hall Real Estate.

“In my new position, I will draw on my years of experience in sales and marketing in order to help clients like you sell their homes or assist in buying a new one,” the email said.

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“I will also be providing you valuable market statistics and trends every month.

“I’ll be getting in touch with you shortly, to see if there is anything I can be of assistance with now.

“I look forward to keeping in touch with you regularly.”

VenuesWest chief executive David Etherton said that on November 8, VenuesWest became aware that the former program development and sales manager had seriously breached the organisational Code of Conduct and Privacy Policy.

“Over 50 complaints from members have been received to date, all of which have been individually responded to by senior VenuesWest staff,” Mr Etherton said.

A copy of the email.
Camera IconA copy of the email. Credit: Supplied/Denise Sharon Cahill

“This matter is being taken very seriously and VenuesWest is carefully considering all options in regards to redress.

“The matter has been referred to the relevant authorities for external investigation.

“VenuesWest is currently undertaking a procurement process for a master data management platform to further protect customer data.”

The same day the email went out, Mack Hall principal Mack Hall sent an email to recipients apologising.

“This database should not have been used by Pierre as it is the property of VenuesWest,” Mr Hall’s email stated.

“Pierre did not appreciate at the time that this was a problem and that it should not have happened.”

Mr Hall said today that he had ensured the recipients had been removed from the Mack Hall email list.

He said his office had received “no more than a dozen” complaints about the email.

Mr Sylvain ceased employment with VenuesWest in early September 2017.