The UK’s property franchising landscape is evolving at pace and The Property Franchise Group (TPFG) has positioned itself firmly at the forefront.
In a year of transformational growth, the group has not only expanded its market share but also reshaped its operational structure through strategic acquisitions, significantly bolstering its financial services and licensing divisions.
It’s 2024 year end trading update to the City yesterday revealed that the merger with Belvoir Group and the acquisition of The Guild of Property Professionals and Fine & Country (GPEA Limited) have propelled TPFG to a new level of dominance.
Now with 15 brands under its umbrella, TPFG manages an impressive 153,000 rental properties – equivalent to 3% of the UK’s Private Rental Sector (PRS) – and has completed over 30,000 sales in 2024.
ROBUST MODEL
The franchise model, built on Management Service Fees (MSF), remains robust, with lettings MSF rising 93% year-on-year to £19m and sales MSF increasing 48% to £9.3m.
Beyond sheer scale, TPFG’s franchise expansion has been underpinned by strategic landlord retention, technical guidance, and favourable rental price trends.
Indeed, the sustained growth of EweMove, TPFG’s hybrid agency disruptor, highlights the demand for alternative estate agency models, with 39 new territories added in 2024.
STRATEGIC PIVOT
Perhaps the most notable shift in TPFG’s financial profile comes from its Financial Services division.
The integration of Brook Financial Services, a Mortgage Advice Bureau representative, has turned mortgage broking into a critical revenue stream.
With over 23,000 mortgages arranged – totalling a whopping £4 billion – financial services income soared from £1.5 million in 2023 to £19.2 million in 2024.
And recurring income from remortgages has already reached £1.4 million, suggesting that TPFG’s long-term play in financial services is yielding results.
As rates are expected to decline further in 2025, this division will likely serve as an engine for continued profitability.
NEW REVENUE STREAMS
Another key strategic move was the acquisition of GPEA, adding a licensing segment to TPFG’s business.
Through Fine & Country and The Guild of Property Professionals, TPFG has secured a £7.2 million revenue contribution from licensing since June 2024. Fine & Country’s expansion, with 17 new UK licensees and international offices in Barbados, Ireland, and Dubai signals the growing appetite for premium property branding. Meanwhile, The Guild’s network effect provides smaller independents with regulatory guidance and collective purchasing power, strengthening TPFG’s foothold in this sector.
POISED FOR GROWTH
Looking ahead, TPFG seems well-positioned to navigate an evolving property market. With the Renters’ Reform Bill set to introduce stricter compliance requirements, TPFG’s managed lettings model is expected to gain further traction. Additionally, January’s strong demand in financial services, combined with a sales pipeline that has grown 71% year-on-year to £39.4m, suggests a promising first half of 2025.
Indeed, while the broader market remains sensitive to economic conditions and interest rate adjustments, TPFG’s diversified revenue streams – spanning franchising, financial services, and licensing – provide resilience against market cyclicality. This adaptability, combined with an acquisitive growth strategy, can only cement TPFG’s position as the leading force in the UK’s property franchising sector.
STRUCTURAL EVOLUTION
In an industry often beset by short-term market fluctuations, TPFG’s structural evolution signals a longer-term play for sustained growth and stability. As the group continues its integration efforts and capitalises on new opportunities, 2025 is shaping up to be another defining year for the UK’s largest property franchisor.
As Gareth Samples (main picture) TPFG Chief Executive Officer, announced to the City yesterday morning: “I am immensely proud of what the Group achieved in 2024, with the delivery of two major acquisitions, now integrated into the Group, as well as strong organic growth.
“Our success has culminated in yet another record-breaking financial performance which has redefined the scale of our business and set us up for ongoing success.
“FY25 has started with strong momentum and we look forward to the continued synergies from the two transformative deals, with Belvoir and GPEA, and other strategic projects initiated in the year coming to fruition in 2025, unlocking the full potential of the combined Group as it looks to its next phase of growth.”
