Countrywide Residential Lettings launches into 2012, completing three acquisitions

The purchase of Cornwall lettings agency Richard Dolton, Yorkshire-based business Dickinson Harrison, and Dorset agency Realty Property Solutions Ltd follows Countrywide Residential Lettings’ record year of growth in 2011, where an average of one acquisition was made each month, in line with the Group’s exciting plans to expand its reach throughout the UK.

The largest acquisition of Q1 2012 was northern lettings business Dickinson Harrison, based in the Bull Green hub in the heart of Halifax. As the Group’s Yorkshire presence grew dramatically in 2011 with the purchase of Sheffield estate agency Blundells, Sheffield lettings agency Spencers, and a well-established South Yorkshire lettings business, the Dickinson Harrison’s portfolio of nearly 1000 properties across the Halifax region further extends Countrywide’s footprint in Yorkshire.

John Hards, Co-Managing Director, Countrywide Residential Lettings, comments:

“We are excited to have successfully completed a series of acquisitions already this year and continue to seek opportunities to extend our reach across the UK. Last year was a great period of growth for our lettings divisions and our recent purchases signal how serious we are about continuing this trend in 2012.

“Countrywide were attracted to each of the businesses after considering the opportunities they provided and the pride each business placed in offering first-class landlord and property management services. All the offices continue to operate effectively, but now benefit from our strong and successful Group infrastructure which is dedicated to supporting the growth of all of our brands for the benefit of our customers.

“We are also delighted to welcome some excellent lettings specialists to our expert team. Exceptional staff and owners can benefit from continuing their career with us and a great example of this is Jonathan Alsford, former Managing Director of Realty Property Solutions Ltd.

"Jonathan has joined our team at a senior level and is now responsible for a number of local branches. As the UK’s largest lettings and property services Group, we offer unique career progression opportunities supported by industry-leading training programmes and exciting career prospects.”