The UK operators of the Century 21 franchise network, SDL Group, have acquired an independent agency business.

Ambitious SDL, which bought two auction houses last year and is building a large build to rent portfolio, has now acquired Humphreys of Chester.

The deal will see the Humphreys business expand across the north-west region. It will report into Rob Clifford, SDL’s estate agency chief executive.

The Chester office will also become a regional hub for hundreds of SDL Group’s build-to-rent properties while its auction business will join the SDL Auctions network – the UK’s largest auction network outside of London.

Paul Gratton, group chief executive officer of the SDL Group, said: “Humphreys of Chester is a leading agent in the north west property market and is hugely respected so I’m delighted to welcome them to the SDL Group.”

Peter Humphreys, who founded his business 22 years ago, said he was also delighted with the deal.

The acquisition of Humphreys of Chester comes less than a year after SDL Group bought auctioneers CP Bigwood Midlands and Graham Penny Auctions.

The two are now combined as SDL Auctions.

SDL Group owns the 54-branch estate agency franchise Century 21 UK and has significant stakes in national mortgage broker network Stonebridge, life insurance adviser Pure Protect and MoneyQuest, a mortgage advice business.

Its build to rent offering has been a major plank in its recruitment of Century 21 franchisees.