Promoted
Building on momentum
October 3, 2022
As the year draws to a close, George F. White reflects on the last 12 months, which have included record-breaking turnover, the completion of a significant business merger and three new offices – with another on the horizon. However, as managing director Sally Hart [pictured, right] explains, the best is still to come.
Business merger
The year got off to an excellent start with the acquisition of Tyne and Tweed, a residential sales and lettings agency based in the heart of Berwick-upon-Tweed.
Following this, in May, George F. White welcomed Johnson Tucker LLP into its consultancy practice, to further strengthen its commercial property footprint in the region and beyond.
Sally Hart, managing director, says: “We are delighted to welcome Johnson Tucker into the George F. White family.
“The team prides itself on attention to detail and driving the right deal through holistic advice.
“We offer a specialist service comparable to large national firms, while maintaining the flexibility of a regional, client-focused business.
“The merger builds on our expertise and expands our range of specialist services, allowing us to apply both to larger projects more than ever before.”
Office expansion
As well as acquiring a Berwick office, the Newcastle team moved from Westgate Road to Dean Street, thanks to the growth of its commercial and development team over the last 18 months.
New offices continued to be a key theme for George F. White as 2022 progressed, with its most recent launch in the market town of Hexham allowing the firm to support its large client portfolio in the Tyne Valley and introduce its existing residential service, due to demand in the area.
A team of experts across the rural, residential, planning and development and commercial sectors are already in place, including Tim Michie, Victoria Linsley, Elliot Taylor, Craig Ross and Gary Robinson – all who have extensive experience in the region.
The firm is looking to further expand the team in the coming months to support the growth of its client base.
Sally says: “I’m delighted to see this new location open as we have an increasing client base in Hexham and the surrounding Tyne Valley, Cumbria and Western Scotland, particularly across our rural, planning and development and commercial sectors.
“It also puts us in the best position to take advantage of new opportunities, alongside our expansion into the residential property sector.”
George F. White launched an office in Durham two years ago, in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.
This winter, the residential property team will move from Pity Me to the city centre, owing to greater demand for services within the city itself.
Looking to the future
It is fair to say 2022 will be a year to remember for George F. White, the cherry on top being the record-breaking 12 per cent rise on the previous year’s turnover.
The milestone is the highest in the company’s 43-year history.
Continued growth is top of the agenda, as it aims to almost double this year’s growth by the end of the next financial year.
Sally says: “The property industry has evolved at a rapid pace over the last couple of years, and we’ve taken advantage of the opportunities to grow our portfolio.
“Building on this momentum is essential to our growth strategy, supporting more businesses and creating local jobs.
“Our business model is constant innovation and not being scared to invest, even when it is risky, which is demonstrated through growth.
“We remain nimble, but take hold of opportunities and push teams to look at what the next big thing is and how we can maximise our offering.
“However, such considerable growth isn’t possible without a strong team with shared values, which I’m proud to say we have, and our success belongs to each individual playing their key part.”
Sally adds: “We want to keep growing and work with more clients, open more offices and create more jobs.
“We have ambitions to grow the team by 15 per cent in the next 12 months, with some exciting roles now open across our services at varying levels.
“It truly is an exciting time to join George F. White, as we continue to adapt to market changes and capitalise on new opportunity.”