LSL pay £9.1 Million for a percentage of Colchester based Mortgage Company.

I spent a leisurely afternoon last Friday, after the news was made public, with one of the smaller share holders of the very recent LSL deal to purchase 65% of the Colchester based Mortgage First business, and I rejoice with them in the rewards that sticking at a business and within a industry sector for a number of years really does pay off.

LSL property services, has been reported to have taken a 65% interest in the company Group First Limited which is a local business to us in Colchester offering mortgages and protection advice for mostly news homes. A total of £9.1 million in cash will be paid initially with a further amount to complete the purchase in 2017.

Paul Maston, CEO of Group First Limited, will remain as CEO (he founded the business in 1988). There were other share holders involved during the company’s journey to it’s current position.

Ian Crabb who is the LSL Group CEO, is quoted as saying: “This investment supports LSL’s strategy to grow long term profitability in the provision of residential property services in the UK, by identifying value enhancing opportunities. Further, the investment strengthens LSL’s relationships with its key house builder clients.”

Report on London Stock Exchange website can be viewed here.

Christopher Walkey

Founder of Estate Agent Networking. Internationally invited speaker on how to build online target audiences using Social Media. Writes about UK property prices, housing, politics and affordable homes.

You May Also Enjoy

Breaking News

Rental supply climbs 15% despite landlord uncertainty

The latest research from Dwelly has found that, despite what has been an incredibly uncertain year for landlords – marked by political back and forth over the Renters’ Rights Act, its eventual approval, and the additional 2% tax hit delivered in last week’s Autumn Budget – there are currently 15% more rental homes available to…
Read More
Breaking News

FCA sets out plans to help build mortgage market of the future

First-time buyers and the self-employed could get a step-up onto the housing ladder, under new plans from the FCA. Its priorities for reforms to the mortgage market also include helping homeowners unlock housing wealth for a more comfortable later life. The FCA will focus on 4 areas: First-time buyers & underserved consumers: Simplifying mortgage rules…
Read More
Breaking News

UK housing market modest growth expected in 2026

UK housing market steady in 2025, modest growth expected in 2026 • UK housing market performed broadly in line with expectations over the last year • Limited annual growth of +0.7% lifted the average property price to a new high of £299,892 • Market activity was influenced by stamp duty changes but overall remained close…
Read More
Breaking News

Cladding remediation work stalls – when will we realise that this is a matter of life and death?

The most recent government data shows that the UK is monitoring more high-rise buildings with potential cladding risks than ever before, yet fewer are actually entering remediation. Property Inspect UK is now warning that the widening gap between identification and action reflects a persistent structural issue in how remediation is managed, verified, and delivered. As…
Read More
Estate Agent Talk

3 Top-Rated Garages in Northampton

Car maintenance can be stressful if you are unsure which garage to trust to deliver precise and timely service. Choosing a garage that handles repairs carefully ensures your vehicle remains safe and performs reliably on the road. In Northampton, several garages stand out for their consistent service quality and attentive customer care. They provide support…
Read More
Breaking News

Slight easing in affordability pressures helps underpin buyer demand

Housing market activity remained resilient in 2025 House price growth expected to be in the 2% to 4% range in 2026 Looking back at the housing market in 2025 and what we can expect in 2026, Robert Gardner, Nationwide’s Chief Economist, comments: “The word that best describes the housing market in 2025 is ‘resilient’. Even…
Read More