The firm is one of the UK’s oldest estate agency brands, having been founded in 1910 after Herbert Jackson-Stops opened an estate agent office in the Town Hall in Towcester and specialises in residential sales, lettings, land, new homes and commercial property.
Members of the Jackson-Stops group are allowed to invest in and develop their own business under the brand, with each business owner responsible for a geographical area and sitting on the Board of Directors.
The firm offers three primary routes to entry for new members:
Route 1: Opening in a new area
While Jackson-Stops has over 40 branches across the UK, there are many areas ready for a new business to be established within the Group. This is through the outright purchase of an area for a new regional business or group of offices. This route allows for membership of the Group and a seat on the Board of Directors.
Route 2: Licensing within an existing area
This initiative allows existing Jackson-Stops businesses to licence out specific geographical areas within their control. Such licensed activities include traditional estate agency (sales, lettings and new homes), surveying, commercial and home search services. On this structure, members enjoy the benefits of the Jackson-Stops brand but without the cost of the full membership of the Group.
Route 3: Purchasing an existing business in whole or part
This opportunity allows a member to buy into an existing Jackson-Stops business, either taking a minority or a controlling share. For example, a current Jackson-Stops owner looking towards retirement may seek to find a competent successor through staged payments over a given period, leading to ultimate control through management succession. Alternatively, it could be structured as an outright sale to an ambitious agent who wishes to take on an established business.
Nick Leeming, Chairman at Jackson-Stops, comments: “We are very excited about our growth plans for the Jackson-Stops Group and the next two years will prove to be a pivotal moment for our brand.
“Our experience tells us that many individuals at a senior management level in large national agencies find they are restricted by a glass ceiling, while independent agents find they suffer from a lack of resource, support and advice from a wider network. Our Group structure provides members with the best of both worlds - the independence to make your own decisions and drive your own strategy, with the centralised resources, support and, crucially, brand visibility of an established national agency.”
