A giant American estate agent setting up operations in the UK says it has already recruited over 20 “property advisers” ahead of its official launch in September. It plans to hold a careers night on July 29 to try to recruit more agents, especially in London and across the home counties.

Realtor Keller Williams, which operates a franchise model, moved into its UK headquarters in Victoria, London, this spring, but yesterday said it had moved to larger premises within the same building.

It has also announced the appointment of Mike Coffey, an America, as its UK chief executive. Coffey has previously launched two Keller Williams offices in Washington, turning both into top 25 Keller Williams branches.

The organisation currently has some 700 offices across the US and Canada, plus around 50 in other countries such as South Africa, and 90,000 associates worldwide.

It is taking on listings ahead of launch in September and the UK website is being finalised.

Keller Williams does not advertise any properties in the press, but instead relies on its own website plus customer referrals and recommendations.

In the UK it is understood it will also list on Zoopla but not on Rightmove.

The organisation, which describes itself as the largest real estate property franchisor in North America, is being headed up in the UK by chairman Donald Morris, a Scot who is a newcomer to estate agency.

The company sets out its stall by saying it has a unique business model based on ethics and is bringing its US package of training and technology to the UK. After an initial period – said to be approximately nine sales – Keller Williams franchisees keep 92% of their commission.

Gary Keller, who started Keller Williams in 1983, has made a name in America as a business guru and writer of business training manuals.