Bushells, the London estate and letting agent headed by Eric Walker, has been sold to London’s oldest lettings agency, Edmund Cude.
The acquisition, which has helped Edmund Cude treble in size since May of this year, has been completed for an undisclosed sum after significant competition.
It is understood that a number of interested buyers were after Bushells, which has raised its standing and professional profile greatly in the last few years.
Walker has become a leading light among not just London agents, but across the industry generally.
A founding member of the SAFEagent scheme, he joined Bushells in 2008 and has become widely known for his wit, insight and robust opinions.
The deal sees Edmund Cude take all of Bushells’ existing branches, bringing Cude’s total number of offices from five to 15 inside a matter of weeks, consolidating its reach across central London, and taking it firmly into sales as well as lettings. Until now, the firm, launched in 1818 against Bushells’ birth date of 1937, has set out its stall as a lettings and property management specialist.
The Bushells acquisition is the second within three months for ambitious Edmund Cude, which bought West Kensington agent Coutts de Lisle in May. That purchase took its presence in London from five offices to six.
Robert Nichols, director of Edmund Cude, said: “Bushells is a household name among London’s estate agents and we are excited to be joining forces with a business that has similar values to us, both in terms of professional integrity and investment in people.
“One of the most attractive features of the Bushells business was the consistently high levels of customer service and feedback achieved by the team, something we value very highly.
“Edmund Cude has developed a London-wide expertise over 190 years in the business and this acquisition gives us a chance to offer other communities across London a dependable and professional service.”
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Comments
Good luck to both Edmund Cude and Bushells. Both firms have a strong reputation and it is nice to hear that two of the better names in the industry are joining forces.
I have never heard of Edmund Cude. I have heard of Eric and Bushells.
I would have thought Edmund Cude would have recognised the efforts of EW in their comment - the main reason "Bushells has raised its standing and professional profile greatly in the last few years" is down to his vision and knowledge.
Pretty poor show really.
Great news for both teams I think, Award winning Edmund Cude with a well known and respected Bushells - perfect match. Good luck to both companies.
If you competitors like you then you are not as good as you would like to think! Right time to sell then.
This seems like a perfect fit for Edmund Cude who are a good firm - they just aren't as good at the PR as Bushells - still, I suppose that will change. Good luck to all - 2 good firms making one very good big one!
KFH are dropping off the radar - perhaps EC & B will take over their mantle.
EW is a top bloke - a coup for Edmund Cude?
Good luck to all at Bushells. A good firm about whom I have never heard a bad word.
Edmund Who??? Cant believe they have bought out Bushells - a top agent IMHO. EW is probably one of the most knowledgeable people I have ever met. Good luck to everyone at Bushells.
Wow - I am surprised. I never thought Bushells would be sold. The nicest competitors we have and very professional. I hope it works out well for them all.
I agree - Bushells is a good name and one of the most professional agents around - Edmund Cude has done well to get them and their staff. Dont screw it up and dont change the name.
Interesting - G one of the few really good firms in London.
Is Eric is included in the deal? I worked with him once and it was my best 2 years in agency - not just because I learned so much, but it was lots of fun. Good luck to all at Bushells.
Good luck to EW and Bushells - a great example of a professional firm with a very good leader