By Design attracts two more Fine & Country agents

A newly-launched upmarket agency network has attracted two former Fine & Country agents.

James Cooper and Alia Khan are the latest top-flight agents to leave the recently-sold Fine & Country network to take licences with By Design.

Khan, now managing director of By Design in Leicestershire, has already been instructed on 12 properties at an average price in excess of £1m, having only started her new business at the beginning of April.

She said: ‘The time was right for me to leave my ‘Associate’ role at F&C, and start my own premium estate agency with By Design. Its been great to see how well it has been received by the market: Leicestershire clientele love my new offering –

“I’m delighted to have won so many premium instructions already. I’m excited for the future, and eventually growing my own team of agents alongside me.’

Cooper, managing director of By Design in South Devon, has more than two decades of experience in the premium market.

He said: “I have known, and worked, with David for a long time. So when the opportunity came for me to create something for myself, By Design had everything I needed to quickly establish a market presence here.

“I’ve got big plans for the future of the business, to expand geographically into some of the amazing areas, and homes, in South Devon and beyond, without the geographical restrictions I had before.”

Lindley, a former chief executive of Fine & Country who launched By Design in 2022, said ‘I am so proud to be working alongside Alia and James, two experts in the premium market, and support the growth of their businesses in Leicestershire and Devon.

“Alia and James were in similar positions, working for someone else’s premium agency and not enjoying the fruits of their labour. Now, with By Design, not only do they keep 100% of their commission but they are building an asset in their own businesses, with teams to support them.”