Rural estate agents form strategic alliance

Jul 2 2009 by Iain Laing, The Journal

ONE of the region's largest residential property agencies, George F White, has forged a strategic alliance with a County Durham business.

The Alnwick firm is to join up with Barnard Castle estate agency McOwan & Co, owned and operated by Stephen McOwan. The larger firm will take on Mr McOwan as head of property sales and acquisitions for the whole company, as well as his two staff.

The venture is hoped to drive forward residential sales for the group, extending its geographical coverage and further penetrating current areas. Mr McOwan spent 21 years with Sanderson, Townend and Gilbert in Darlington, becoming director of Sanderson’s Residential after a management buy-out in 1996. He launched his company this year.

George F White partner Robyn Peat said: “Stephen has an unrivalled understanding of the rural sector and brings a wealth of experience to our already very high profile team.” Mr McOwan said: “George F White has an excellent reputation and my aim is to help them build on this, growing them into the agent of choice for rural residential sales across the North East and Yorkshire.”

George F White was set up by George White in 1979 and today has offices in Alnwick and the Tyne Valley, Wolsingham, Bedale and London.