Ex-hockey star's new points plan to ease nightmare of trying to rent

SMASHED THUMB WAS BLESSING IN DISGUISE

- By NICO LETHBRIDGE

A GB hockey player who gave up his “dream” sport is now working on his own business helping Britain’s renters - all thanks to a broken thumb.

Josh Pavis, 26, from Nottingham, was picked to play for the GB hockey team at the age of just 20 in 2019 after “years” of training and dedication.

But after a crushing thumb injury on the eve of his debut, he quit the sport to start a business, realising he was only playing hockey to please those around him.

Within 18 months, his business selling plumbing equipment was a success, but after disagreements with his brother and co-founder, Oli, 25, they sold it to ensure they remained best friends.

He then founded a successful marketing agency, but said he felt that he was “just making the rich richer”, leaving him unfulfilled.

In November 2023, after going through the “nightmare process” of searching for a flat to rent in London, he started Rently, which aims to make renters’ “biggest monthly expense count for more” - and has recently pivoted to align “even more closely” with the Renters’ Rights Act.

“I feel like I've found my calling with this business and I hope it can make a positive impact on people's lives, which I didn’t feel my hockey career would,” Josh says.

“The thumb injury was really the nail in the coffin and pushed me to take that jump to something else.

“I find the same thrill and competitiveness that I had playing sport in building a business.

“Speaking to partners, raising money or just getting a new person to sign up gives the same thrill as scoring a goal or winning on the pitch.”

Josh grew up in Nottingham and always excelled in sports.