Another senior figure who was formerly with Countrywide has joined Nick Dunning Associates – the acquisition-hungry property business set up by Countrywide’s former head of lettings.

The business, which already has two other ex-Countrywide seniors at its helm – Graham Harrison and Matt Hewitt – has now recruited Vince Corley.

Corley, who left Countrywide in February, was formerly national sales director of financial services and before that was acting managing director of the estate agency division.

He was also instrumental in several key acquisitions, and developing the lettings branch footprint. Corley started his career as a trainee surveyor at Frank Innes in Nottingham.

At Nick Dunning Associates, he becomes managing director for sales and financial services.

Nick Dunning Associates has also recruited Stephen Wilson, who becomes managing director for professional services.

Wilson is a chartered surveyor with more than 40 years’ experience in UK and international property markets including South Africa, Kenya and Russia.

Most recently he was appointed to manage and then sell troubled London estate agency and commercial property group Stirling Ackroyd, for the estate of the late owner, James Goff.

Stirling Ackroyd’s residential assets acquired by Nick Dunning Associates in July.

Wilson will focus on expanding professional services to facilitate the needs of the firm’s growing client base, including surveying, land and new homes and commercial property, which is a key growth area for the business.

He will also continue to oversee the day to day running of Stirling Ackroyd, whose assets were acquired by Nick Dunning Associates, taking the firm out of a company voluntary agreement.

Nick Dunning Associates launched late last year, and as well as Stirling Ackroyd, it has this year bought Badger Holdings – parent company of Townends and Regents – and Adams Property, giving it a total of 34 branches.

Nick Dunning said: “I am delighted to welcome Vince and Stephen as managing directors. Both bring a wealth of expertise to our leadership team and they will be key in strengthening our position and continuing our successful expansion.”

Expansion of the business is currently concentrated in London, within the M25, but strategically the firm said it is prepared to look at opportunities outside this area.

The firm has previously said it will be acquiring up to 100 businesses in its first five years.