Former Belvoir Group Recruitment and Acquisitions Managing Director Martin Bunney has launched a specialist brokerage helping estate and letting agencies buy and sell businesses.
The Business Acquisitions Group will support agents through acquisitions, resales and succession planning, including identifying opportunities and preparing businesses for sale.
Bunney spent 13 years leading acquisition activity at Belvoir Group, where he helped 154 new franchisees expand through acquisitions and supported 140 established franchisees completing resales.
Those transactions generated a combined value of more than £50m, according to the new brokerage.
INDEPENDENT AGENTS
Bunney left Belvoir in May 2025 and subsequently worked as an acquisitions consultant before establishing The Business Acquisitions Group.
The brokerage is targeting independent estate agents, letting agents and franchisees of different sizes. It will represent either the buyer or seller in each transaction, rather than acting for both parties.
Bunney believes regulatory obligations, higher borrowing costs and the investment required to maintain compliant operating systems are encouraging some independent agency owners to consider selling.
He says: “After leaving Belvoir in May 2025 I worked as an acquisitions consultant, but with legislation increasing and interest rates rising, it was clear that more independents were being forced into either investing in compliance or selling their business.
“Many are choosing to sell. Acquisition brokerage is a specialist business, and the time was right to launch The Business Acquisitions Group.”
AI MATCHING
The company has invested in a website and AI-powered software intended to match prospective buyers with suitable acquisition opportunities.
However, Bunney says technology would be combined with personal support throughout negotiations and the completion process.
“This is not just about AI, as the team firmly believes in the power of personal interaction,” he adds. “Whenever a client engages with The Business Acquisitions Group, they become part of our team and can rest assured that we are going to help them through every step of the process.”
The business will also advise agency owners on exit planning and positioning their firms for a future sale, while helping prospective purchasers prepare for expansion.
Bunney says: “If an agent or franchisee needs assistance in preparing for an exit strategy or help to ensure their business is perfectly positioned for future expansion, we have the skills, database and experience to help them achieve their goals.”
