Clarke Holland deal is My Property Box's 16th acquisition

My Property Box signed off 2025 with a deal in Ashington, buying independent lettings business Clarke Holland and tightening its hold on Northumberland and Tyne & Wear. Sixteen acquisitions have now been completed in seven years.

The rental homes on Clarke Holland's books have transferred to My Property Box Tyne & Wear, which manages them from the group's Jesmond office in Newcastle. Owner Paul Baldry agreed the sale, for an undisclosed sum, in order to step back and give his attention to his own property portfolio and other business interests.

Two County Durham deals had come earlier in the year — Ready to Rent, and Newton Assets in Seaham — and, like them, this one was underpinned by the multi-million pound investment BGF made in July 2024. That backing continues to drive a buy-and-build strategy spanning North Yorkshire and the North East, where the group also has offices in Darlington and Northallerton.

A senior appointment was announced at the same time. Will Maddock has become chief finance officer, a post created for the first time in order to bring the group's finance function inside the business and add governance and strategic oversight as the buying continues. He arrives from Operam Education Group in Manchester, where he served on the board for over seven years and helped grow the platform by acquiring and integrating nine education recruitment brands.

Maddock said he had joined at a telling moment: "I'm excited to have joined My Property Box at such a pivotal stage in its growth journey. The business has already achieved an impressive track record of acquisitions, and I look forward to helping shape the next phase of its development by ensuring we have the financial strength and systems in place to deliver long-term success."

For founder and chief executive Ben Quaintrell, the purchase reinforced a regional ambition: "This latest acquisition further strengthens our presence across Northumberland and Tyne & Wear and reflects our ambition to continue expanding our residential lettings footprint across the region. We are delighted to welcome Clarke Holland's landlords and tenants, who will benefit from our proactive approach, digital systems and extensive expertise in property management."

Sixteen deals have made the process a practised and discreet one. Owners wondering what their lettings book might fetch, and how a handover works day to day, are very welcome to ask.