The Martin & Co Uckfield franchise has been resold, with David Arnold taking ownership of the East Sussex branch.
The Uckfield office operates under the Martin & Co brand, part of The Property Franchise Group (TPFG). Arnold decided to purchase the franchise after discussions with other TPFG franchise owners.
“I already knew other Franchise Owners within The Property Franchise Group and had heard consistently good things about what it’s like to be part of their network,” Arnold said. “They spoke highly of the support, training, systems and ongoing guidance that come with being a Franchise Owner, which made the prospect feel reliable and far less risky than going it alone.”
Having been actively seeking a solid business acquisition, Arnold said the strength and reputation of the Martin & Co brand was central to his decision.
He continued: “Martin & Co stands out in the residential lettings sector and quite simply, I would never have entered the property industry without the backing of a reputable franchise like this. The model provides essential tools, marketing resources, compliance support and a network of fellow owners to learn from, which gave me the confidence to take the step and acquire the Uckfield territory.”
The resale marks the starting point of a longer-term expansion strategy for Arnold, who has ambitions to build a multi-office portfolio across the South East.
“This acquisition fits perfectly into my longer-term plans as the foundation for meaningful growth in the sector. My vision is to build a multi-office portfolio under the Martin & Co brand, leveraging TPFG’s support systems and network to identify and integrate complementary opportunities, whether through further franchise resales, independent agency acquisitions or organic growth,” he explained.
Before entering the property sector, Arnold gained experience in corporate management within regulated industries, focusing on leadership, compliance, operational efficiency and revenue growth. He expects this experience to support landlords, tenants and vendors in a market subject to ongoing regulatory changes.
Arnold says landlords can expect proactive compliance checks, up-to-date safety certification management, robust tenant referencing and clear tenancy agreements to minimise legal and financial risk. Tenants benefit from compliant homes, transparent processes and fair dispute resolution, while vendors receive thorough due diligence and evidence-based valuations to ensure smooth transactions.
He confirmed that the branch team in Uckfield will remain in place, with no changes to staff handling lettings, sales or property management across Uckfield, Lewes, Heathfield and surrounding areas.
Arnold added that his approach aligns with the branch team and TPFG’s wider standards, focusing on fairness, transparency and long-term relationships. He highlighted that local knowledge and service continuity remain key to the branch’s operations.
Toby Philips, group managing director of Martin & Co, commented: “He [Arnold] brings significant corporate leadership and risk management expertise, which will serve his clients and his team extremely well. The resale of our Uckfield office demonstrates the continued strength and attractiveness of our franchise model, particularly in a market where compliance, professionalism and local knowledge have never been more important.
“With the full support of Martin & Co behind him, we are confident David will build on the branch’s strong foundations and drive further growth across the region.”