Former estate agents Jeff and Lisa Quantrell have taken out a licence to run a branch of recruitment company Rayner Personnel.

Their business will cover SE and SW London postcodes.

The pair have nearly 40 years of estate agency experience between them, having worked for firms including Kinleigh Folkard & Hayward, Acorn and Spicerhaart.

The pair originally met 12 years ago at Kinleigh Folkard & Hayward where Jeff was branch manager and Lisa assistant branch manager.

Today, with three children under the age of six, the ability to run their own business together was a major attraction, with both valuing the flexibility that being their own boss affords.

Jeff said: “I’ve experienced being one of Josh’s candidates and have never failed to be impressed. He was always there to take a call from me whether it was 7am in the morning or 10pm at night. He places a lot of emphasis on personal service.

“During my career to date I’ve seen the best and worst of recruitment companies. I know first-hand what estate agents do and don’t like and how they want to be treated.”

Rayner Personnel expects to have more licences available from the end of the year, covering the midlands, north of England, Scotland and Northern Ireland.