Hunters continues rapid expansion with acquisition of 15 branch network in South West

Hunters, one of the country’s leading estate agency and franchise businesses, has acquired Besley Hill, one of the longest established and leading estate agency networks in the South West region of Bristol and Gloucestershire. This takes the number of branches within the Hunters national network to over 200.

Besley Hill has a long standing reputation both regionally and throughout the industry, which dates back to the 1970s. Today, the agency has grown to 15 branches throughout four counties in the region with offices in Stroud, Bedminster, Easton and Kingswood, to name a few locations. Each of Besley Hill’s branches are franchised, complementing Hunters’ business model, whilst the agency also shares Hunters founding principles of delivering excellent customer service in both residential sales and lettings.

Glynis Frew, CEO of Hunters Property Plc, commented: “Becoming the UK’s favourite estate agent is our primary objective and increasing our presence across the country through good quality businesses is vital to achieving this. We are delighted to welcome the Besley Hill group of branches to Hunters as we share an ambition to grow our businesses by delivering first class customer service. The locality of the branches fit perfectly within our national expansion plans and gives us a significant platform in the South West property market”.

Adam Offer, Managing Director of Besley Hill, said: “Hunters’ national reach and reputation, combined with its strong focus on local ownership and local knowledge through its franchise model, is very exciting for us and represents great opportunities for the future.”

Adam Offer and Alli Firks-Matthews, Finance Director, have agreed to sign up their three offices to new franchise agreements with Hunters as part of the deal. Adam and Alli will continue to be involved in the day to day running of the business.

Hunters has continued to expand consistently, both organically and through acquisitions over the last decade. Last year alone, the Group opened their doors to 30 new branches across the country with new offices in counties

including Greater London, Hampshire, Oxfordshire, Cheshire, West Yorkshire, Wiltshire and Lincolnshire. This included 20 existing independent agents and marked the third year in a row Hunters have opened 30 branches or more as they strive to become the Nation’s Favourite Estate Agent.

Hunters opened its first office in York in 1992 and its first franchising branch in 2006. With a network of over 200 branches nationwide, the Group’s services cover residential sales, lettings, auctions, buy-to-let and investment, residential block management, land and new homes and other property related services. Hunters offer free training for all Franchise Partners and staff, and run national marketing campaigns which this year includes TV advertising on Channel 4.