Property Franchise Group

In 1987, Richard and Kathy Martin started an estate agency in Yeovil called Martin & Co. Realising the potential in recurring revenue from rentals, they pivoted. After studying the franchise model of large corporations, they began franchising their lettings business in 1995. This decision established the foundation for what would become a major force in the UK property market. The company, then known as Martin & Co PLC, went public on the London Stock Exchange's AIM market in December 2013. This event provided the capital for an aggressive acquisition strategy. Over the next few years, it acquired multiple property brands, rebranding as The Property Franchise Group (TPFG) in 2017 to reflect its new multi-brand identity. A pivotal moment arrived in early 2024 when TPFG announced an all-share merger with its publicly listed rival, Belvoir Group. The deal, which completed in March 2024, created the UK's largest property franchisor. Following the merger, TPFG shareholders owned approximately 51.75% of the new, larger entity. This move significantly expanded the group's footprint to over 930 locations managing around 152,000 properties. The acquisitions continued, with the group buying GPEA, owner of The Guild of Property Professionals and Fine & Country, in June 2024 for about £20 million.