A family-run estate agency founded during the swinging sixties by a chartered surveyor is marking its 60th anniversary serving clients across Essex.
Boydens, which today has branches in Essex and Suffolk, was established in 1966 by Desmond Boyden with the company’s first office in Blackheath, Colchester.
Desmond’s son, David, joined the business in 1976 and continues as chairman today, while grandson Philip joined in 2014 and became the third generation managing director in 2024.
Today’s Boydens operates five estate and lettings agency branches in Colchester, Chelmsford, Kelvedon, Frinton-on-Sea and Sudbury. It also runs a leasehold and estate management division out of its Colchester office.
The business has grown to more than 50-strong across the agency, lettings and block management teams.
Philip Boyden said: “The secret of our success is that we have never stood still, we have always looked for new ways to keep evolving, but with a laser like focus on providing our clients with the highest standards of customer service and trust.
“We’re looking forward to marking the milestone of six decades in business throughout the year, celebrating with our teams and continuing to support various community and charitable initiatives across North Essex and South Suffolk.
“Over recent years we have introduced new technologies to further enhance the service we provide our clients, whether they are looking to move home or a landlord with a portfolio of properties under management. This has included, more recently, investigating how the rise of artificial intelligence can complement the vast local knowledge and expertise of our teams. Ongoing training and development for our staff is something we are also passionate about.”
Philip said that the company is keen to continue growing, including acquisitions of other estate and lettings agents in the region. It is also introducing a new CRM system which will further support the service the company can offer landlord clients.
While the estate and lettings agency celebrates its 60th anniversary this year, the Boydens story began in 1852 when George Boyden, a master builder and Quaker, started his own business.His son, Aston, continued the building business and, at its height employed 28 staff before being interrupted by the Second World War.
It was Aston’s son, Desmond, who created the Boydens estate and lettings agency in 1966 having previously trained and worked as a chartered surveyor.