Martin & Co in Cardiff has added almost 100 additional properties to its portfolio after merging with local independent View Property Wales.

View Property Wales owners Astrid den Hartog and Sue Stephens have also joined the national sales and lettings agency in the Welsh capital as part of the deal – more than a decade after den Hartog was interviewed for a role by owner Mike Shrubshall.

Franchisee Mike Shrubshall, who took over the Cardiff branch of Martin & Co in 2009, said: “I interviewed a lot of people for one of the roles I was recruiting for after I purchased the branch and one of those was Astrid.

“I didn’t give her the job because she was so good, and at that time of transition I didn’t feel like the role would give her what she needed.

“She went away and set up View Property Wales with Sue a couple of years later and I’d always felt like she was the one who got away because they went from strength to strength.

“Now both Astrid and Sue have joined the team as part of this merger, so it really feels like a bit of a sliding doors moment.”

The View portfolio is Shrubshall and business partner Henry Mitchell’s third acquisition in Cardiff, while the duo also purchased Martin & Co’s Merthyr Tydfil branch in 2019 and have completed two further acquisitions there.

 The duo’s portfolio across their two branches is now close to 600 properties.

Shrubshall added: “The conversations with Astrid and Sue were really simple and right from the beginning we wanted them join us and be a part of what we’re doing.

“There was a real alignment of principles between us, so the process was plain sailing and we got it over the line very quickly.”

Martin & Co MD Ellie Hall added: “Mike and Henry continue to take their business forward at pace and with Astrid and Sue on board, I’m certain even more great things lie ahead for them.

“Acquisitions remain a key strategy for us at Martin & Co and we have the mechanisms to complete deals quickly, so I’d urge any independents thinking of selling their portfolios to get in touch with us.”