Agency set up in a front room will stay in family ownership

The founder of an agency which started life in a front room is handing the family firm over to her son and daughter.

Sali Brown - who set up sales and lettings agency Chelton Brown from the front room of her Northampton home in 1990 with the help of just a secretary - is handing over to Edward and Tori – both of whom already work in the business and have played a major part in recent growth.

Chelton Brown is a large independent letting agency, managing more than 1,500 properties throughout the county ranging from studio apartments to seven bedroom listed mansions. Clients range from first time landlords to professional portfolio holders and large landowners such as the Althorp Estate.

Sali Brown, who will continue to provide what she calls “strategic guidance” in a new founding senior director post - says:  “I have always been a firm believer in having a strong work ethic and a determination to never stand still – I can see that in both Edward and Tori so I’m confident they can take us to the next level and I’m looking forward to taking a back seat and giving them the chance to flourish.

“I can remember popping into the office with Edward on my way back from hospital when he was first born so he really has been part of the business from day one. Both Edward and Tori would help out at weekends and in the school holidays growing up so it’s wonderful to see them now taking the business on themselves.”

Edward Chelton Brown has headed up the agency’s Daventry branch and has become managing director while Tori Chelton Brown heads up a new arm of the business focused on block management.

She says: “It’s an exciting time to be getting started and we have lots of developments in the pipeline. Both Edward and myself have been inspired by mum’s hard work over the years and she has created a successful business with strong foundations that we can look to build on. We’re confident we can do her proud.”

Edward Chelton Brown adds: “Mum is going to be an incredibly hard act to follow but we are fortunate to be surrounded by a really strong team who have helped the business to thrive in recent years. I’m determined to maintain the positive family culture that has been built up over three decades and keep looking to evolve the business, embracing technology and new ways of working to make us even more efficient and deliver an exceptional service to our clients.”