Darlington agency acquired by estate agency group

My Property Box has acquired Bellwood & Harris, marking its 13th acquisition in seven years.

The move follows its recent purchases of John Prest in Northallerton and Landlords 2 in Darlington.

My Property Box says it is expanding its presence across the North East and North Yorkshire, with key offices in Darlington and Newcastle.

Bellwood & Harris, founded in 2009 by Helen Bellwood and Justine Harris, managed a portfolio of 150 properties, which are now part of My Property Box.

The agency’s Yarm Road office is now closed following the acquisition, for an undisclosed sum.

The founders decided to sell to focus on other business interests, while ensuring clients benefit from the “economies of scale and expanded range of services offered by a larger organisation.”

Ben Quaintrell, CEO of My Property Box, said: “This acquisition represents another significant milestone in our expansion as we continue to grow our footprint across the North East and North Yorkshire.

“Bellwood & Harris has built an excellent reputation for customer service, which perfectly aligns with our own values.

“Our commitment is to provide their clients with the same exceptional service they’ve come to expect, while also offering access to our cutting-edge technology and expert support.”

Justine Harris, co-founder of Bellwood & Harris, said: “After many rewarding years serving landlords and tenants, we felt the time was right to step down and entrust our business to a larger organisation that shares our passion for delivering exceptional customer service.

“My Property Box has a fantastic reputation, and we are confident our clients will benefit from their innovative approach and expanded range of services.

“Growing Bellwood & Harris into a trusted agency has been a privilege, and I know Ben and his team will continue to build on that legacy.”

The acquisition follows a significant multi-million-pound investment secured by My Property Box in July 2024 from growth capital investor BGF.