Humberts using franchise model to expand beyond southern England

Humberts, long established as a southern England agency specialising in rural and semi-rural areas, says it is now going to use a franchise model to expand its brand and business outside this core area.

“We have ambitious expansion plans over the next five years and developing a wider franchised office network is part of this three pronged strategy” explains Ian Westerling, Humberts managing director.

“We are therefore keen to speak to estate agency owners, or anyone considering starting an agency business, who would be interested in a Humberts franchise in locations north of our current wholly-owned branch footprint, and to other firms in the Home Counties that would be interested in selling their business to us” he adds.

The first example of this is the launch of a new agency office at Windermere in the Lake District in the New Year. 

“The Humberts business is well suited to the region and we very much look forward to creating new long term relationships with customers and providing them with an opportunity to receive the very best level of service and expertise that you would expect from one of the country’s most respected brands” says Westerling.

Kathy Barlow, a local Cumbria resident and head of the new office, says she will be offering “expert local property knowledge for both primary and second home owners.”

Meanwhile Halls LLP, an agency covering Shropshire, Worcestershire, Wales and part of the West Midlands is being taken over by Fisher German from December 1, 

As part of the expansion, Anthony Champion, Duncan Bedhall, Dan Ballard, Jason Clines, Richard Tomlinson and Rob Champion, who were previously equity partners of Halls (Midlands) LLP’s team, will move to Fisher German as partners.

The consolidation of the teams will see Fisher German’s Blackpole office migrating to join the Halls team in Worcester. The Halls Halesowen office will also continue to operate as it has for over 20 years, but under the Fisher German brand and continuing to serve the Black Country and the wider Birmingham area.