Third acquisition makes lettings agency largest in its area

Martin & Co’s Plymouth franchisees have taken their branch’s managed portfolio beyond 1,000 properties after a third acquisition in five years.

Chris and Merolyn Whittaker previously served together in the armed forces prior to purchasing the Plymouth branch of the national sales and letting agency in 2015.

Two years later they acquired Executive Lets before boosting their managed portfolio by almost a quarter following the acquisition of Sams Accommodation in January 2020.

Now they have added a further properties to their books from M&B Lettings – taking their total branch portfolio to more than 1,100 and firmly establishing Martin & Co Plymouth as south Devon’s biggest letting agency.

Chris Whittaker says: “We’re absolutely delighted to have completed the deal with M&B and delighted further that the owner, Michelle Stacey, will be staying on in a consultancy role with us as we transition our new landlords over to Martin & Co. Completing a third acquisition in only five years while continuing to improve on our high levels of service has been busy to say the least!

“But we’re not looking to stand still, either. Michelle chose us to take on her portfolio because we had the funding and systems in place to enable her to start a new chapter in her life – but also because we match the same high level of service her landlords are used to.

“Other agents in the Plymouth area may be in the same position and I would urge them to contact us, because we’re certainly looking for other opportunities to expand.”

Penny Sanders, Head of Franchising at The Property Franchise Group, added: “We are really pleased to see that Chris is continuing to grow his business and he is a model office in terms of leading the way in becoming one of the largest lettings offices in the network.

“We actively support all of the offices in terms of acquiring independent businesses and we are actively looking to acquire businesses across the UK.”