Linley & Simpson buy in Beverley

One of the north’s largest independent agents has stepped up the pace of its postlockdown programme of growth by completing another major acquisition.

Linley & Simpson has launched a new branch in Beverley after sealing a deal to buy Ridings Property Management Services and its letting portfolio of more than 500 homes.

The acquisition marks a double milestone for Linley & Simpson as it takes its branch network across Yorkshire and Humberside to 20, and its total portfolio of managed properties past 10,000.

RPMS, a family firm which marked its 25th anniversary in 2019, was crowned Best Letting Agent in Beverley in the British Property Awards for the past two years and also received the regional Silver award for Yorkshire (North & East). It also has an ESTA accolade to its name.

“We are delighted to acquire a business with such an excellent pedigree and track record as RPMS,” said Linley & Simpson’s Chief Executive Will Linley.

“This is the third acquisition we have completed since lockdown restrictions began to ease. There are others in the pipeline that will strengthen our presence in existing branch locations, as well as see Linley & Simpson opening on new High Streets.

“Living amid Covid-19 has brought unprecedented challenges for many businesses, with our market particularly hard-hit, yet it has not dented our confidence in the future of the private rented sector. In fact, we are stepping up our acquisition activity.”

He added: “Beverley has long been a strategic target of ours. It regularly features in Britain’s best places to live and it holds plenty of untapped potential for us.”

This latest acquisition is the

14th since Linley & Simpson secured the backing of private equity investors LDC.