International accountancy firm Mazars has provided reporting accountant and advisory services to Hunters Property PLC, which has announced its IPO on AIM, the London Stock Exchange’s market for smaller growing companies.
Mazars will continue to support the Group following its appointment as auditor.
Hunters is one of the largest estate agency businesses in the UK with 151 branches. It intends to expand its network to over 500 branches within the next five years.
Founded in 1992, the group has grown both organically and by acquisition. Its most notable deals include the acquisition of the franchising arm of Countrywide, trading under the Bairstow Eves brand, in 2011, Hunters Group in the West Midlands in 2014 and most recently Country Properties in 2015.
A team from Mazars’ transaction services team in Birmingham led the firm’s reporting accountant work throughout the AIM admission process.
David Preston, transaction services director in Mazars’ Birmingham office, said: “The IPO plays a key role in raising the brand’s profile, attracting further franchisees to the existing network and providing access to further capital.
“It’s a great example of how capital markets can be used to achieve corporate ambition. We’re delighted to have supported Hunters during the flotation process.”
Richard Metcalfe, Mazars’ UK head of capital markets, said: “We are delighted to support such a big name in UK property sector during this exciting period of development for the business.
“We wish them every success with their future growth strategy and are looking forward to working closely with them to provide auditing and assurance support.”
Ed Jones, Hunters Property PLC’s CFO, said: “This is an immensely exciting day for Hunters. Listing on AIM is a major step forward in our expansion plans: with access to further capital we see significant opportunity to increase our market penetration and strengthen our position as one of the UK’s favourite estate agency brands.
“I would like to thank Mazars for the invaluable expertise and support they have provided during the flotation process. We look forward to working with them going forward as our provider of audit and assurance services.”
