One of the UK’s fastest-growing independent property groups, the SDL Group has today announced its third business acquisition in 12 months.

Humphreys of Chester, one of the most respected estate agencies in the region, has been acquired by the SDL Group for an undisclosed sum. Humphreys is a multiple award winning firm - the recipient of three Sunday Times Awards for estate agency and auctions.

The deal will see Humphreys expand across the North West region offering its complete property service from sales and exclusive homes to lettings, property management and auctions. This will report into SDL’s estate agency Chief Executive, Rob Clifford.

Following the acquisition, the Chester office on Lower Bridge Street will also become a regional hub for hundreds of SDL Group’s Private Rental Sector (PRS) build-to-rent properties while its auction business will join the SDL Auctions network – the UK’s largest auction network outside of London.

Paul Gratton, Group Chief Executive Officer of the SDL Group, said: “Humphreys of Chester is a leading agent in the North West property market and is hugely respected so I’m delighted to welcome them to the SDL Group.

“Their areas of expertise, particularly in auctions, estate agency and lettings, perfectly complement our own portfolio of property services and our aim through this investment and acquisition is to create a regional hub with much growth locally, to offer customers an enhanced and personalised property experience.”

Humphreys of Chester has been offering a complete property service from sales and exclusive homes to lettings, property management, auctions and surveying for over 22 years and prides itself on its personal service and honest advice, helping clients to move forward with their lives.

Peter Humphreys, founder and managing director, commented: “We’re very excited about the Humphreys business becoming part of the SDL Group. By combining the Chester team's regional reputation and knowledge with the SDL Group’s national expertise Humphreys can provide an unmatched service to its clients.

“We’ve had a highly successful year to date across all areas of our business and we’re keen to see this great business move to the next chapter under new ownership. My team's dedication and clear ambition is matched by the team at SDL Group. I'm incredibly proud of what we have built over almost three decades and delighted about its outlook as part of the SDL Group.”

The acquisition of Humphreys of Chester comes less than a year after SDL Group acquired leading auctioneers CP Bigwood in the West Midlands and Graham Penny Auctions in the East Midlands. Now combined as SDL Auctions, it has already raised over £100m for vendor clients so far in 2016 and is next month shortlisted for Auction House of the Year at the property industry ‘Oscars’, the Negotiator Awards.

SDL Group currently owns the 54-branch estate agency franchise, CENTURY 21 UK and has significant stakes in national mortgage broker network Stonebridge, life insurance adviser Pure Protect and mortgage advice business, MoneyQuest.