National estate agents Leaders has added four new branches after expanding into Stoke-on-Trent and Chester.

The company acquired Homesearch Property Management and its two branches in Stoke-on-Trent earlier this month, before taking over Minchin Fellows and its two offices in Chester this week.

It is the first time Leaders has moved into Staffordshire, although it already operates a single branch in Cheshire in Warrington and four in Greater Manchester. In total, Leaders now boasts a national network that spans 115 branches.

The business began as a single-branch lettings agency in Brighton.

Matthew Light, acquisitions director at Leaders, said: “May has been a fantastic month for our expanding business as we have added four new branches in two new locations and acquired two highly respected and successful local firms.

“We are looking to build on the excellent reputation of both Homesearch and Minchin Fellows by rolling out our full range of sales and lettings services to customers across Stoke-on-Trent and Chester.

“It is particularly pleasing that all of the current employees have opted to remain with us as their branches start life as Leaders,

“The addition of these branches strengthens our position in the north of England and creates a useful link between our existing teams in the north-west and the midlands.

“These acquisitions form an important part of our growth plans for 2016 and mark our arrival in two new and important markets. However, our expansion this year is far from over and we look forward to announcing further deals in the coming weeks.”

Leaders has now completed six acquisitions in 2016, adding ten new branches across nine new towns to the company’s portfolio.

Earlier this year, Leaders merged with Romans.