'Business as usual' for Humberts following sale to luxury holiday firm

It will be 'business as usual' for Humberts following the announcement of its sale to Natural Retreats, says the agency's new owner.

Matt Spence, chief executive of Natural Retreats, says his organisation aims to keep Humberts 'at the heart of the community across the UK'.

Yesterday, Estate Agent Today revealed that Natural Retreats has purchased the 176-year-old brand as part of a pre-packaged sale of the business and assets of Humberts Ltd.

The entirety of Humberts has been included in the sale, which has safeguarded the jobs of all current members of staff employed across the Humberts network of offices, ensuring the continuation of the long-standing brand.

Humberts has been looking for a buyer for a number of weeks after it was revealed in April that the agency was in talks with administrators.

Speculation around branch closures and redundancies followed before it was announced in early May that the firm had 'settled on a buyer'.

Humberts merged with Chestertons in 2009 but the two firms went their separate ways just five years later. 

The agency's managing director, Ian Westerling, who will be staying with the firm, says the purchase by Natural Retreats represents a 'perfect fit' with 'mutually beneficial crossover'.

"We have a shared vision of ensuring exemplary customer service, innovative use of PropTech, and already have complimentary business streams," says Westerling.

Founded in 2006, Natural Retreats is a leisure and travel firm which provides luxury holiday experiences in coastal, countryside and wilderness locations around England, Scotland, Wales and the US.

The buyer's focus on the natural environment could suggest that Humberts will return to its rural roots and approach.

"We have a vision to preserve the natural economy and this 176-year-old brand that has a history and love for looking after beautiful rural lands and homes fits with our vision,” says Matt Spence.

The sale of Humberts was handled by business recovery and restructuring specialist Begbies Traynor.

Paul Wood, partner at Begbies Traynor, says he believes the sale places Humberts - which has 21 branches across the UK - on a 'strong footing for continued trading'.