Leaders has added eight new branches to its national network in the last month. It made it clear it is still looking for new buying oppportunities.

The company completed its three latest purchases in different parts of the country between June 8 and July 6, bringing its total number of branches to 123.

It has bought Watson Mitchell, which operated two branches in Stamford and Bedford; Hollier Browne with two branches in Birmingham; and Essex-based Allen Estates with branches in Witham, Halstead, Kelvedon and Braintree.

Matthew Light, acquisitions director at Leaders which merged with Romans in March, said: “Adding eight new Leaders branches in three key markets is fantastic news.

“We are just as thrilled to be expanding our existing presence in Essex as we are to be arriving in the UK’s second city, Birmingham, for the first time.

“Having acquired more than 20 branches in the midlands since April 2015, we have shown we are committed to reaching the top of this important market.”

He added: “These acquisitions are an important part of our growth plans for 2016, although they are far from the extent of our ambitions this year. A number of additional new branches are in the pipeline and will be announced later in the summer.”