Countrywide buys Blundells

Launched by Michael Blundell in 1977, Sheffield-based Blundells, offers property services to homebuyers and sellers in the region.

With 13 offices covering Sheffield, Chesterfield and Rotherham; Blundells will continue to operate as a business in its own right and will join Countrywide’s network of 1,300 offices and 46 estate agency and lettings brands, which include Sotheby’s International Realty, Bridgfords and Hamptons International.

The Blundells management team will continue to lead the business including managing director Steve Hinshelwood, and the founder, Mr Blundell.

Grenville Turner, Countrywide Group chief executive, said: “This acquisition forms a key part of Countrywide’s strategic plan. We have long admired the success of Blundells, its management team and its strong presence in Yorkshire and Derbyshire. It is a business that has a strong brand, an experienced and committed workforce, and its branch locations make it a great fit for our network.

“Countrywide has a proven track record of investing in strong businesses and providing a platform for further expansion. We look forward to working with the management team at Blundells to assist them in enhancing their customer proposition by offering a range of market-leading property services as together we grow the business going forward.”

The management teams at Countrywide and Blundells have been working closely together since last year to explore opportunities. Steve Hinshelwood, managing director of Blundells, said: “This acquisition marks an exciting new era for Blundells. The strength and breadth of Countrywide’s services and infrastructure will enable us to continue to expand and diversify our business. The housing market remains challenging, and being part of a company like Countrywide enables us to deal with these challenges more effectively and take advantage of the opportunities that this market presents to us.

“Having worked closely with the Countrywide management team for some time now, I have been thoroughly impressed with their ideas and strategy to grow the business and I look forward to working with them to explore these opportunities further in the coming years.”

Countrywide is the UK’s largest estate agency and property services Group, employing more than 9,000 staff. Its extensive portfolio of property services includes estate agency, lettings, mortgage and insurance services, land and new homes, franchising, auctions, surveying, conveyancing and corporate property management services.