FRANCHISEES from across the country came together at the first national conference for the five brands of the Bournemouth-headquartered Property Franchise Group.

The group was formed last year when Martin & Co Martinco PlC rebranded under the new group name.

The Martin & Co name continues alongside its four sister businesses: CJ Hole, Ellis & Co, Parkers and Whitegates.

The conference at Northampton was led by CEO Ian Wilson and group managing director Michael Stoop. It was the first opportunity for estate agents to network and discuss business.

Mr Stoop reflected on the last year in the property market and looked at the opportunities and threats in the industry for the coming two years.

Mr Wilson offered analysis from City investors, especially given the significance of the first full year in which each of the five brands operated in an AIM-listed company.

Guest speakers included the Property Ombudsman’s Christopher Hamer and estate agency expert Richard Rawlings.

Business owners also networked with their main suppliers in an exhibition involving Agent Centric, Brief Your Market, Christopher Watkin, Dataloft, Fixflo, the Landlord Hub, London & Country, Property Logic, Reapit, Rightmove and the Outside View.

Offices also took part in an annual awards ceremony, from which nine winners across all brands were announced in five categories: Best Young Business, Best Business growth, Franchise of the Year per brand, Group Franchise of the Year, and Outstanding Individual Contribution.

The Property Franchise Group has a network of 287 offices which are part of the largest franchised property businesses in the UK, managing 45,000 properties on behalf of private clients. Martin & Co has 194 offices.

Martin & Co began trading on the Alternative Investment Market (AIM) of the London Stock Exchange through MartinCo PLC in December 2013.

Its head office in St Stephen’s Road, Bournemouth, doubled in size last year, with a showroom to enable prospective franchisees to see what their business could look like.