Our Group

Our History

Since the first Connells branch opened in 1936, Connells Group has grown into the UK's largest, most profitable high street estate agency and property services providers.

1936

First Connells estate agency branch opens in Luton, Bedfordshire

1969

Connells' ten estate agency branch network is acquired by the Constantine Group

1976

Connells is the first agent to provide an in-house mortgage service

1984

With around  20 branches, Connells is one of the first estate agency networks to obtain a full listing on the London Stock Exchange

1991

With around 100 branches, Connells is acquired by Scottish Widows. The same year, Connells purchased the western division of Prudential Property Services' which increased the branch network to around 150 branches, as well as establishing Connells Survey & Valuation and Connells Asset Management

1996

Connells is acquired by Skipton Building Society which bought a major shareholding in the company alongside Connells' senior management

2000

Connells plays a leading role in the launch and development of Rightmove, now one of the UK's foremost online property portals

2002

Connells Relocation Services is established. In the same year, Connells acquires Conveyancing Direct Property Lawyers




2003

Connells reach a major milestone by acquiring Sequence estate agency bringing the Group's total estate agency network to around 500 branches nationwide

Estate agency Sharman Quinney was also acquired in this year

 

2004

Connells Group wins first industry awards at Estate Agency of the Year Awards and Lettings Agency of the Year Awards




2006

Rightmove plc float on the London Stock Market valuing the business at £400m. Connells Group owned 29% immediately prior to floatation. In the same year, Connells acquires a stake in TM Group, now the largest provider of local authority searches in the UK

2007

Connells Group acquires shares in the Asset Management Group (AMG) and The New Homes Group




2008

Connells Group sells remaining stake in Rightmove plc

2010

Connells Group becomes 100% owned by Skipton Building Society

Connells Group acquires major shareholding in UK's leading provider of Energy Performance Certificates, Vibrant Energy Matters

The Group forms strategic relationship with the UK's second largest online property Zoopla

Connells Group forms Redstone Wills 

2011

Connells Group acquires shareholding in leading provider of conveyancing and remortgaging panel management services, LMS Group. In the same year, Connells acquires Just Wills and independent estate agency Burchell Edwards including conveyancing firm Be Legal

2012

Connells acquires a strategic stake in Hearthstone Investments plc, the UK's first residential property fund manager

2013

Connells Group initiates major expansion programme for its residential lettings business

2014

Connells Group acquires Peter Alan

2015

Connells Group acquires Gascoigne Halman 

Connells Group acquires Gilbert & Thomas

2016

Connells Group acquires Rook Matthews Sayer

Connells Group acquires Paul Dubberley

Connells Group acquires Touchstone Residential

Connells Group acquires Kevin Henry

2018

Launch of new build mortgage services proposition supporting local and regional developers

2020

CEO David Livesey celebrates 30 years with the Group

2021

Connells Group acquires Countrywide Property Services Group

Connells Group acquires Hall & Benson

Connells Group acquires Holroyds

2022

Launch of new EPC+ proposition from subsidiary Vibrant, including roll out to entire Connells Group branch network

Connells Group partners with Energy Saving Trust (EST)

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