Yorkshire estate agency completes 'game-changing' deal with largest acquisition in its history

Estate agency Linley & Simpson has completed the biggest acquisition in its 21 year history, with the takeover of York-based Coalters

Linley & Simpson, which operates a network of 11 branches across North and West Yorkshire, completed the deal with the support of acquisition finance provided by Santander’s Growth Capital team, based in Leeds.

As a result of the acquisition, Linley & Simpson is cementing its status as York’s largest letting agent, while also elevating its position among the city’s leaders in residential sales.

The agency now extends its total lettings portfolio across Yorkshire to almost 6,000 homes.

The takeover of Coalters represents the 31st acquisition that Linley & Simpson has completed since it first opened its doors in 1997, and the fourth in the last two months alone.

Will Linley, Linley & Simpson director, said: “We are delighted to acquire an agency of the size, stature and reputation of Coalters into the Linley & Simpson family. It’s a tailor-made fit.

“This represents a game-changing move for us as we accelerate our ‘buy and build’ plans, designed to consolidate our position in the Yorkshire market. It propels us, as well as current and future clients, into an exciting new era.”

He added: “We have ambitious plans to develop, improve and innovate our business and, strategically, this acquisition is central to this continuing journey of planned growth.

“There are few areas in the UK that command the popularity that Yorkshire continues to enjoy and we can only see this momentum accelerating to keep pace with demand. This acquisition signals our confidence in the county’s future - and investing in it.”

Dan Houman, relationship director at Santander Corporate in Leeds, commented: “We are thrilled to play a key role in turning into reality this next major stage of expansion for Linley & Simpson.

“It puts the agency in prime position to fast-track the development of client services and capitalise on the opportunities that lay in front of it in an improving Yorkshire property market. The next 12 months promise to be another exciting year for the business.”

Following this latest deal and the transfer of Coalters staff, Linley & Simpson employs more than 180 people.

The agency’s network of branches has now grown to include Leeds city centre, Horsforth, Roundhay, Chapel Allerton, Harrogate, Ripon, Wetherby, Ilkley, Saltaire and Wakefield as well as York.

In addition to Santander’s Growth Capital team, led by Ash Chopra and Dan Houman, who were advised by Georgina Tripp of Gunnercooke, Linley & Simpson was assisted in this latest deal by Simon Morris, Head of Corporate at Raworths in Harrogate; and Paul Land, Managing Partner of TLP chartered accountants, also of Harrogate.

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