London agent Stirling Ackroyd – owned by Nick Dunning Associates – has made its third acquisition this year as it looks to set up ‘power house’ branches.

The firm made clear that it is very much still on the acquisition trail.

The latest is the purchase of Bridge Estates in Shoreditch, east London.

Nick Dunning Associates was founded by former Countrywide director Nick Dunning and is run by him with a team of ex-Countrywide seniors.

It has ambitious plans for acquisitions and expansion across the UK, although it has until now concentrated on London and the south-east.

Stirling Ackroyd’s earlier purchases were Lourdes and My London Home.

The acquisition of Bridge Estates brings a strong land and new homes team, headed up by Lucy Phipps, as well as a lettings book of just under 200 managed units.

Vince Corley, CEO of Stirling Ackroyd, said: “I am very much looking forward to working with Lucy in delivering accelerated growth in our burgeoning new homes business.”

Tom Mulligan, managing director of Bridge Estates, said: “This is a key milestone in the journey for Bridge Estates.

“The acquisition provides the team with greater opportunities and a greater range of services to offer clients.

“We are delighted with how the process has gone and pleased to be working closely with the teams at Stirling Ackroyd and Nick Dunning Associates.”

Stirling Ackroyd plans to triple its size over the next couple of years. It is currently looking at the Nine Elms area of London for new office premises and further opportunities for acquisitions.

Dunning said: “Stirling Ackroyd was a fantastic acquisition for us.

“Our strategy is to focus on having power house branches which deliver between £2m and £10m in revenue per office, and making acquisitions that complement this strategy.”