Estate agency group My Property Box has strengthened its position in the North East residential lettings market with the acquisition of Ashington-based Clarke Holland.
As part of the deal, Clarke Holland’s rental portfolio has transferred to My Property Box Tyne & Wear and will be managed by the company’s team at its Jesmond office in Newcastle.
The acquisition represents the group’s 16th in seven years and follows recent purchases including Ready to Rent in County Durham and Seaham-based Newton Assets, as it continues to pursue a buy-and-build growth strategy across the region.
The business operates across the North East and North Yorkshire, with offices in Darlington, Northallerton, and Newcastle. Its latest expansion is supported by a multi-million-pound investment from BGF, the UK and Ireland’s most active growth capital investor. The funding, secured in July 2024, is accelerating the company’s acquisition strategy as it continues to scale its residential lettings platform.
Clarke Holland owner Paul Baldry agreed an undisclosed deal to sell the business, allowing him to focus on his own property portfolio and pursue other interests.
Ben Quaintrell, founder and chief executive of My Property Box, said: “This latest acquisition further strengthens our presence across Northumberland and Tyne & Wear and reflects our ambition to continue expanding our residential lettings footprint across the region. We are delighted to welcome Clarke Holland’s landlords and tenants, who will benefit from our proactive approach, digital systems and extensive expertise in property management.”
Alongside its acquisition activity, My Property Box has also expanded its senior leadership team with the appointment of Will Maddock as chief finance officer. The newly created role brings the financial function in-house for the first time, enhancing governance and providing increased strategic oversight.
Mr Maddock joins from Manchester-headquartered Operam Education Group, where he sat on the board for more than seven years and played a key role in scaling the platform through the acquisition and integration of nine educational recruitment brands.
He said: “I’m excited to have joined My Property Box at such a pivotal stage in its growth journey. The business has already achieved an impressive track record of acquisitions, and I look forward to helping shape the next phase of its development by ensuring we have the financial strength and systems in place to deliver long-term success.”
