Browne Jacobson has acted for Shepherd Direct, a group of companies which specialise in the mortgage and property sector, on an agreement to acquire the licensing rights to operate the globally renowned Century 21 estate agency and lettings brand throughout the UK, Channel Islands, Gibraltar and Isle of Man.
The deal is part of significant seven figure investment acquisition and growth plan earmarked by the Shepherd Direct Group for Century 21 which is one of the worlds leading property brands with over 7,000 independently owned and operated franchised broker offices and 100,000 agents in 73 countries worldwide.
The Century 21 brand will sit alongside the Groups existing companies which includes Sesame Bankhall Valuation Services, Direct Valuations, moneyQuest Mortgage Brokers and Direct Lettings.
Shepherd Direct will now undertake a bold franchisee growth plan for Century 21 UK with support being coordinated from its central services operations in Chillwell, Nottingham.
The Browne Jacobson team was led by corporate partner Mark Hughes, assisted by Paul McCannah.
Mark Hughes said:
"Shepherd Direct has been a long standing client and we have advised them on numerous transactions over the last ten years. We are delighted to have helped them secure this strategic acquisition. It is a major coup for the Group and one which will have a significant impact on its long term growth strategy and its ambitions to be a major force in the UK property sector."
The Century 21 UK management team will now report to Rob Clifford as chief executive.