Estate agency secures funding to spearhead future growth

Hybrid estate agency network love2move has secured funding to further its national expansion.

With a substantial cash injection from angel investor Gary Dewhurst, the Preston-based company is now seeking like-minded, forward thinking estate agents who want to increase their profitability and add an additional revenue stream to their business.

Founded in February 2017 by traditional estate agent owners Georgina Cox and Mark Worrall, love2move seeks to protect the values of a traditional agency while appealing to today’s generation and satisfying the requirements of those who prefer to do business online.

It is a complementary offering, operating alongside the traditional agency and providing vendors with the best of both worlds if they choose to sell their property online.

Earlier this year love2move had looked for £120,000 of financial investment via Crowdcube to accelerate national expansion and strengthen the existing network of 21 offices but withdrew from the campaign following an approach from entrepreneur Gary Dewhurst.

Gary launched Gap Personnel Group in 1997 and grew it to one of the top five independent recruitment agencies before selling 75% of his shareholding to Japanese company TrustTech for £20m.

He now invests in a range of entrepreneurial companies, with love2move being his first foray into the property market.

Gary said: “This is an exciting new sector for me to be involved in.

“I was alerted to this opportunity via a respected property professional and was impressed by the rationale and growth potential of love2move.”

Gary’s business associate, Kourosh Mehrabani, a former corporate finance advisory partner at Deloitte, will also join the love2move board.

“With his extensive experience of assisting private businesses to enhance their value and market share I am sure that Kourosh’s presence on the love2move board will add tremendous value in helping the team achieve their ambitious growth plans,” Gary added.

Love2move chief executive Georgina Cox said: “Love2move has been created by agents for agents and we’re really excited to have secured this funding from such a respected entrepreneur.

“We are looking forward to working closely with Gary and Kourosh as we drive the business forward.”