In total the group has made 59 acquisitions since 2007 and opened 180 new lettings branches since 2010 – cementing its position as the UK’s largest integrated property services company.
Nick Dunning, group commercial director at Countrywide, said: “The 15 acquisitions made in the past six months are in line with our strategy of rapid expansion, which includes plans to complete on at least another eight acquisitions before the end of the year.
“We have fully integrated these businesses within the overall Countrywide lettings model and this has led to strong growth in the lettings division.
“This is an exciting period for Countrywide Residential Lettings and the growth of our lettings operation continues to be a major focus for the group.”
In July Countrywide bought Scotland’s Portfolio lettings agency in Hamilton and in September it took on Dundee-based agency Carol Whyte.
The continued network expansion comes off the back of Countrywide’s acquisition of Merchant Lettings in October 2012, when Countrywide doubled the size of its network of lettings branches in Scotland.
Countrywide Residential Lettings’ presence has also been strengthened in Hampshire and Wiltshire following the purchase of WSB Group. While in September, Countrywide acquired Avon Lettings in Amesbury which will combine with WSB Group.
Further acquisitions include the portfolio of Knights of Bath, Leeds-based Flats; Interlet Property Management, managing over 160 rental properties in Yeovil; South West Estates in St Ives, Cornwall; Rufus Stephens in Chandlers Ford; Hove-based Tingleys; Liverpool-based Plaza Lettings; Hawkins in Rugby; Newton Abbott-based lettings business Property Sales and Rentals and the portfolios of Fells Gulliver in Lymington and Stoberry Lettings in Wells.
These portfolios have been combined with Countrywide’s existing local estate agency brands to strengthen the group’s local offering.
John Hards, co-managing director, Countrywide Residential Lettings, added: “I am delighted to welcome the most recent acquisitions to the Countrywide Residential Lettings team and look forward to working with all who have joined us. 2013 has been a fantastic year of growth so far with 15 businesses added to our portfolio over Q2 & Q3.
“Countrywide has a unique ability to grow businesses by ensuring they operate autonomously, retain their local heritage and benefit from Countrywide’s ongoing investment and support.
“For clients, Countrywide’s structure, scale and all-round property expertise enables it to best serve the needs of clients of all sizes; from private landlords to corporate investors.
“In line with our expansion strategy and with more acquisitions in the pipeline, we are interested in talking to professional agents with single or multi branch businesses almost anywhere in the UK.”
