Sequence set to expand via more acquisitions

Under its Allen & Harris trading name, Sequence estate agents – part of the Connells group – has announced the purchase of a portfolio of around 300 managed rental properties in Wiltshire, from Chippenham-based Atwell Martin.

Simon Cross, divisional managing director for Sequence, said: “At a time when many firms are hunkering down due to economic uncertainty, Sequence Lettings is in the market for acquisitions.”

Although the acquisition was completed at the end of April, there was a three-month transition period, where Allen & Harris staff worked out of Atwell Martin’s branches, followed by a one-month migration period, during which all Atwell Martin’s lettings data was transferred to Sequence’s back-office systems and information supplied to landlords and tenants about the new management.

“The need for careful, gradual migration was crucial to the success of this deal,” Cross said. “We placed some of our most experienced lettings agents in Atwell Martin’s branches to ensure landlords were comfortable with the changes taking place and slowly introduced them to Sequence Lettings and some of the services we can offer.”

Robert Atwell, chairman of Atwell Martin, said: “When we decided to sell our residential lettings portfolio there was a lot of interest. We chose Sequence because they were the most professional, and we did not regret that decision. The deal went through on the day we had agreed and with no problems.”

All Atwell Martin staff have transferred to Sequence.

Stephen Shipperley, group executive chairman for Connells said: “Both Sequence and Connells are in the market for acquisition of lettings businesses and/or portfolios.”