Curchods, a privately-owned 21-branch Surrey agency which also trades as Burns & Webber, has acquired Aspire Management Surrey, an independent lettings firm based in Weybridge.

Aspire has an extensive portfolio of properties across Surrey, Hampshire and Berkshire.

The acquisition of Aspire will see the company expand its already thriving lettings division, with Aspire founder Sue Lister joining Curchods.

She said: “I was looking to sell my company and was attracted to Curchods because of their independent status.

“I didn’t want my long-standing loyal clients to get lost within a large corporate, where they would risk being funnelled into an impersonal call centre.

“With Curchods I am 100% confident that this will not happen and that they will take the best care of both current and new clients. I am very much looking forward to a future working with them.”

Michael Ansell, group managing director at Curchods, said: “By acquiring Aspire we will not only instantly expand our own lettings business, but we will also be able to make the most of Sue’s extensive experience, whilst building on an already established portfolio.

“We continue to be on the acquisition trail.”