Lomond Capital accelerates consolidation of uk sales and lettings market with second acquisiton in two weeks

The deal follows Lomond’s purchase of SDL Group’s lettings portfolio in Birmingham last week – underlining its ongoing commitment towards consolidation of the UK residential property market.

Bonett’s was established nearly 30 years ago by Paul Bonett to become one of Brighton’s most respected property agents. It will now merge with and operate under the banner of Lomond’s local business, Brand Vaughan.

The deal comes just over five months after Brand Vaughan acquired Tanat-Jones & Company last December.

Brand Vaughan Chief Executive, Tom Ghibaldan, said: “Paul Bonett is a champion of integrity in the Brighton estate agency and lettings market and it was that shared value that appealed to us. We were impressed by his operation in Brighton – its strong reputation for high standards within the local area. The firm will be a welcome addition to the growing Brand Vaughan business.”

Paul Bonett, founder and owner of Bonetts, added: “Brand Vaughan is a safe pair of hands and a good fit to take the Bonett’s business forward while safeguarding our high standing reputation within the Brighton and Hove market. Tom and his team are similarly dedicated to quality service, both in terms of properties available and our interactions with customers, and will continue to build on our 30 years of local expert knowledge and integrity.”

Bruce Evans, Lomond Capital’s chief executive, said: “Whilst Lomond continues to grow, a variety of industry challenges are leading smaller, independent agents to consider their exit strategies and taking the opportunity to sell. Additional pressures to income levels such as increased competition, impending abolition of tenant fees, as well as costs associated with increased regulations, mean that many independent agents are looking to de-risk and release value from their businesses.”

Established in 2010 by Stuart Pender and Roger Lane-Smith, Lomond Capital was now manages residential properties worth in excess of £2.6 billion, sells more than £600 million worth of property per annum and employs more than 365 members of staff.

It currently has businesses in Aberdeen, Birmingham, Edinburgh, St Andrews, Manchester and Brighton and says it is planning further investments across the country.