Dodds Brown: Middlesbrough commercial property firm acquired
Portland Estates Management has taken over Dodds Brown, which was based on Albert Road in Middlesbrough and had been operating in the industry for more than a century.
The directors believe the joining of the two teams will make them stand out from their competitors.
Portland focuses on property management, while the Dodds Brown staff bring expertise in selling and letting commercial buildings, managing property, and offering landlord and tenant services.
Director Barbara Blenkinsop said: “We believe we’ve got every base covered.
“This is a very exciting step and we’re delighted to have joined forces with such a respected and well-known business as Dodds Brown.
“Over the years both Portland and Dodds Brown have acquired clients from longer-established surveying companies because we provide a hands-on approach with transparent communication and a proactive service.
“We know clients want and prefer that.”
All employees have been retained, and the combined team now numbers 14.
Dodds Brown staff will move to Portland’s refurbished offices in Stockton.
A new role has been created to ensure a smooth transition of the facilities management teams, and further positions are likely to be created.
Stephen Brown, former senior partner at Dodds Brown, will become a consultant and continue advising his clients.
He said: “I could not be prouder of the business which has carried my family’s name for so long.
“The joining together of Portland and Dodds Brown is fantastic news for the Tees Valley and beyond, where people are crying out for the services it will provide.”
Olly Lawson from Portland joins Ms Blenkinshop as a director alongside Richard Wilson from Dodds Brown.
Mr Wilson, who was once a colleague of Barbara’s, said the acquisition creates the only full-service agency – both managing property and buying, selling, and letting – in the Tees Valley.
He said: “We’ll have a team of in-house accountants, facility managers, and valuers and will not outsource functions.
“We believe that is so important to the smooth running of our clients’ operations who, crucially, will always know who they’re dealing with.
“It’s going to be a focused team working together in one office.”
Mr Lawson said: “I’m really looking forward to bringing all these skilled people together under one roof, taking advantage of economies of scale and sharing best working practices.”
He added: “We’ll continue to look outside the Tees Valley but this area has begun to take off and we want to play our role – as the only local agency of its kind – to ensure that business owners, their staff, and their families see the benefits of the investment they’re going to make.”
Portland Estates Management was originally a part of Robertson Simpson Ltd before becoming an independent company in 2020.
Its clients include Mandale Group, Rentokil, and Landteam Property Investments.
Portland also manages properties for clients in other parts of the UK, including Scotland, Wales, and Yorkshire and has a second office in Gateshead.
Dodds Brown’s office in Middlesbrough’s Albert Road will be sold.