Well-known Northern Ireland estate agency Simon Brien Residential has been purchased by the Republic’s largest property firm, Sherry FitzGerald, for an undisclosed fee.
The acquisition marks the Irish estate agency’s first venture north of the border, and will see the property group expand the Simon Brien Residential branch network across Northern Ireland through new offices and franchising.
Simon Brien Residential, which currently has four offices in Belfast and Co Down, will continue to trade under its own brand and with the same management team in place.
Sherry FitzGerald will continue to be led by founder Simon Brien under new ownership, while other senior staff members, including Samuel Dickey, Thomas O’Doherty, Karen Wilson, Tiffany Brien, and Mark Leinster, have been retained in their roles.
The estate agency, which sold more than 1,250 residential properties last year, has 35 staff across offices on Belfast’s Lisburn Road and in the east of the city, as well as in Newtownards and Holywood. The company posted turnover in 2022 of €35.3m (£30.1m).
Brien said: “This is a brilliant opportunity for both the staff and clients of our company and one that will bring rapid and positive change to the market here in Northern Ireland. Not only will the technology and platforms developed by Sherry FitzGerald assist us with growth, but the Group’s strength and reach gives us the opportunity for expansion in Northern Ireland. In addition to that, Sherry FitzGerald’s affiliation with Christies International Real Estate gives us access to an international platform.
“While it will be business as usual across our offices, we now have the chance to collaborate with unified strength, networks, and technology. Our goal is to provide a seamless experience for clients, while planning exciting developments in future business expansion here in Northern Ireland. We look forward to working with Steven McKenna, CEO of the Sherry FitzGerald Group, and our new Sherry FitzGerald colleagues to continuously evaluate and upgrade client systems. We now have a unique opportunity to stay ahead of the curve and maximise opportunities and sales for our clients, while simplifying the house purchase process for our buyers”.
Steven McKenna, CEO of Sherry FitzGerald Group, commented: “We are delighted to welcome Simon Brien and his team to the Sherry FitzGerald Group in our first strategic venture in Northern Ireland. This collaboration aligns seamlessly with our collective vision to reshape property and financial services through innovation, and excellence.
“Together with Simon and his team, we aim to establish the foremost estate agency network in Northern Ireland, offering clients a unique experience led by talented professionals, cutting-edge technology, and our trusted brands. This partnership presents exciting opportunities to redefine the industry, setting new standards of excellence in property and financial services.”
