Dwelly has completed its first international acquisition after agreeing a deal to acquire property investment and portfolio advisory business Settio, marking its seventh acquisition of 2026.
The transaction expands Dwelly’s reach into the Asia-Pacific market, adds more than 2,000 fully managed properties to its portfolio and increases the group’s total assets under management to around 14,000 homes across the UK.
Founded in 2017, Settio advises property investors across 17 countries and manages more than £600 million of UK property assets through offices in Manchester, Birmingham, London and Singapore.
The acquisition represents a significant step in Dwelly’s expansion strategy, extending the company’s focus beyond acquiring UK independent letting agencies and establishing an international platform to support overseas investors purchasing and managing UK property.
AI-LED TECH BOOST
Dwelly says it intends to retain Settio’s people, expertise and brand while supporting future growth through enhanced operational infrastructure and AI-led technology.
Sam Humphreys (main picture, middle), Head of Mergers and Acquisitions at Dwelly, says: “Settio is a hugely important acquisition for Dwelly because it represents something entirely new for the business.
“Settio has built an exceptional international platform, connecting investors from around the world with opportunities across the UK property market. Businesses of this calibre don’t come to market very often and we’re incredibly proud that Samuel and Chris chose Dwelly as their long-term partner.
“Most importantly, this acquisition significantly strengthens our international presence and gives us an established platform from which to support a growing global client base.”
BIG OPPORTUNITY
Samuel Fitz-Hugh (main picture, left), Co-Founder of Settio, adds: ” “From the outset, our ambition was to build a business capable of supporting remote and international investors through every stage of their interaction with the UK property market. We’ve always prioritised client experience and transparency in a sector known to lack in both.
“Joining Dwelly allows us to continue that journey from a position of strength. Their investment in technology, operations, and people creates significant opportunities for the brand we’ve worked so hard to create, our team of amazing people, and most importantly, our clients who trust us with their assets. We’re excited about what comes next.”
“We feel this is exactly the right moment.”
And Chris Parsonage (main picture, right), Co-Founder of Settio, says: “When we founded Settio, the ambition was to create a business that would sit at the forefront of innovation to enhance client experience. As AI begins to redefine what’s possible across our industry, we feel this is exactly the right moment to take that vision to the next level.
“What makes this acquisition particularly exciting is the alignment between Settio and Dwelly. We share a belief in challenging the status quo, embracing innovation, and using technology to deliver exceptional outcomes for all stakeholders who interact with Settio.
“The synergy between our organisations, our cultures, and our long-term ambitions is clear, and I’m incredibly excited about what we can achieve together as we continue to shape the future of the property experience sector.”
STRATEGIC GROWTH
Founder and CEO of Atomic Consultancy, Lucy Noonan, adds:“Dwelly has shown real ambition in the lettings sector, and this acquisition is another strong example of the type of strategic growth they are pursuing.
“From our perspective as brokers for Settio, it was clear from the level of interest received that this was a highly attractive business.
“Settio demonstrated the qualities serious buyers are looking for: scale, strong recurring income, an impressive managed portfolio, international reach, and a clear focus on service and innovation.”
The acquisition is Dwelly’s seventh transaction this year as the company continues to expand through acquisitions within the residential property management and lettings sector.
