MOVERS & SHAKERS
ACQUISITIONS
OPENINGS
LAUNCHES Who grows there?
‘If you can keep your head when all about you are losing theirs...’ There is still courage and growth in the property world.
SPICERHAART ACQUIRES BARONS
Spicerhaart has completed the acquisition of Bristol-based residential sales and lettings company Barons. Barons, headquartered on North Street in Bedminster, has been one of the city’s most popular independent estate agents since the early 1990s. Spicerhaart will rebrand the
four-strong branch as haart and retain all of the staff. Barons is the third acquisition by Spicerhaart in the last three months. Recently, it completed the purchase of Stoke Newington-based Brooks and prior to that Islington-based Thomson Currie. Both businesses have been rebranded as Felicity J Lord. In the last 12 months alone, Spicerhaart has bought almost ten companies nationally as part of an on-going acquisition strategy by the multi-award winning company. Paul Smith, CEO of Spicerhaart (below) says, “The acquisition of Barons once again highlights our position as the most acquisitive independent estate agency group in the UK. Barons provides a great fit with our existing branch network in Bristol and I am extremely confident it will play a key part in helping to establish haart not only as the leading estate agent in the city but the whole of the South West of England.”
MERGERS
DOUGLAS & GORDON OPENS IN SOUTHFIELDS
Douglas & Gordon has opened a new sales and lettings office in Southfields, the company’s eighteenth office, most of which are in south-west London. George Franks, Douglas &
Gordon’s sales director, comments, “Over the past three years, Southfields and Earlsfield has come into focus for many prospective buyers and renters as international demand has priced them out of the traditionally popular areas of Fulham, Putney and Wimbledon. The area’s village-like feel, with its range of shops, pubs and restaurants and convenient transport links, has made it popular with professionals and families. “The properties on offer in
Southfields with outdoor living space, the schools, nearby Wimbledon Park, with its sports
W A ELLIS ACQUIRES BOYLE & CO
W A Ellis, has recently acquired Boyle & Co Chartered Surveyors to bolster its in-house valuation and leasehold enfranchisement department, bringing further specialist experience to the team. Boyle & Co was established in 1974 by Michael Boyle, and specialises in residential general practice valuation
62 OCTOBER 2011 PROPERTYdrum
matters including leasehold reform, landlord and tenant and loan security. Michael Boyle FRICS, Simon Coates MRICS and Daniel Walmsley MRICS FAAV, will join WA Ellis’s team of five in mid- September.
James Wilson, Partner of the
valuation and leasehold enfranchisement department,
comments, “Residential valuations in Prime Central London postcodes is a specialist field which requires surveyors with in-depth knowledge and experience. We pride ourselves as a market leader in this area, so we are delighted that the acquisition of Boyle & Co will enhance and expand our professional team.”
facilities and golf club, are key attractions.”
He adds, “South-west London continues to be a key growth area for our business and opening an office in Southfields highlights our confidence in the future success of this part of London. This office is filling the gap between our six Battersea offices and two Putney offices.” Maddie Miller, who has six
years experience in the south-west London property market, has moved from Douglas and Gordon’s Battersea Park Office to lead the sales department. Alex Dowding, a lettings negotiator with six years experience in south-west London has moved from the Battersea Northcote Road branch, will head the lettings team. Both have lived in the area for several years
bringing local knowledge and expertise.
The new office is the second
Douglas & Gordon to have a fully interactive ‘Microsoft Surface Table’ for clients. This table, which is like a large iPad, is a new way for applicants to search for suitable properties. The technology is linked to the Douglas & Gordon website which can also be viewed interactively. There are a number of useful features, such as Google Earth which offers a bird’s eye view of the property so a potential purchaser or tenant can be fully informed about the area. Users can also make bookings with restaurants and other local amenities. Very trendy!
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