Connells Group has expanded into an additional head office as it beefs up its growth plans and continues to recruit.

The new office, Houghton Place, in Dunstable, Bedfordshire, will house 200 staff who will relocate from the existing HQ in Leighton Buzzard.

Houghton Place will house a number of Connells Group’s key functions including its centralised sales centre and IT systems development team.

Hatched, Connells’ online estate agency, will also move to the new premises to enable further expansion.

Connells group chief executive David Livesey said: “Houghton Place represents a significant investment for Connells Group and the decision to expand was a logical step in our business development strategy.

“Our business has grown significantly over the last few years driving expansion of our Leighton Buzzard operations and we have plans to continue this.

“This additional office space supports our continued growth, expands our catchment area for recruitment and also preserves our local presence in Bedfordshire.”

* Also expanding its head office team is franchise firm Belvoir with a raft of new appointments.

Chief operating officer Dorian Gonsalves said: “We are currently working on a number of exciting new innovations, which will benefit all of our franchisees, as well as our mutual clients.

“These new projects will see our teams expand even further over the next 12 months.”