A network of ethical, independent estate agents has reported an increase in membership following the fallout from the BBC Panorama investigation into unethical industry practices.
The Ethical Agent Network (EAN) is a UK-wide group of non-competing estate agencies dedicated to prioritising people over profit and elevating standards across the industry.
The Panorama programme, which aired in July, led to EAN founder Jerry Lyons being invited to appear on BBC Radio 4 in the days following the broadcast. Lyons used the national platform to defend agents who are committed to doing the right thing.
He said: “The Radio 4 show drove a 1,000% increase in visits to the EAN website, and we had dozens of members of the public seeking out ethical agents. The appetite for agents who can clearly show their ethical approach is very much there.
“Several new members cited frustration with traditional trade bodies, saying they didn’t feel those organisations were doing enough to protect or promote independent, ethical agents – especially post-Panorama, when the nation was talking negatively about the industry.”
Lyons added: “The truth is most agents are trying to do the right things for their clients, colleagues, and communities. However, when the spotlight shines on poor practice, good agents need a clear way to demonstrate their values. That’s exactly what the Ethical Agent Network is about.
“We’re not the biggest network by any means, and we don’t want to be. Our goal is to be the best at supporting independent, ethical agents who want to stand out for the right reasons. And we have absolutely no desire to be part of the agency echo chamber, which seems louder than ever right now.”
The surge in interest comes as the network undergoes a major reboot. To manage growth and maintain its standards, the EAN has temporarily paused new applications until January 2026.
The EAN has grown from 23 to 32 independent estate agencies since the start of August, when the latest recruitment round began.
For more information about the Ethical Agent Network, visit www.ethicalagentnetwork.co.uk
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