London expansion for agency network after acquiring independent

A long-standing Martin & Co franchisee is expanding his network of London offices following an independent agency acquisition.

Michael van de Vyver, who already operates three South West London branches of the national sales and lettings agency, will be opening a fourth office in Battersea after acquiring independent agency Lester Smith.

The Lester Smith office will become Martin & Co Battersea – joining van der Vyver’s other offices in Chelsea, Battersea Reach and London Riverside.

He says: “I’m absolutely delighted to complete the acquisition of Lester Smith and wish the previous owners Mark and Jane well in their future ventures after many years in the Battersea area.

“The office will become our new Battersea branch and is perfectly located on Webb’s Road - a great location for us to be in SW11 and parallel to the hugely popular and vibrant Northcote Road.

“The opportunity to open the new office was perfect timing for us as we have built up a lot of business over the years in the Battersea area from our Chelsea office.

“Many of our clients have portfolios in the Battersea area which have grown since they joined us in Chelsea, so having an office in SW11 is a natural way for us to embrace and look after those clients even further.

“We’ve now got a network of four offices, all within a mile or so of each other, and that’s brilliant for our clients, who’ll get an even better result from working with us.”

Kit Myrie, assistant sales manager at the Battersea Reach office, will be moving to the new Battersea branch as sales and lettings manager.

Martin & Co Managing Director Eric Walker adds: “Michael has been doing incredible things for Martin & Co in South West London for almost 20 years and it’s fantastic to see that his appetite for further growth is as strong as ever.

“I’m also hugely pleased to see Kit promoted from within - his work in Battersea Reach has been outstanding and being given the opportunity to run the new Battersea office is richly deserved.”