The Arden Story

Our Story and Local Roots

Arden Estates was founded with a clear goal: offering expert local property advice backed by a genuine commitment to our communities. We’re proud to be an Independent Estate Agency owned by Jon Whitehead and James Cope.

Jon founded the company in 2010, and James joined later that year. Since then, Arden has grown into an established, award-winning business with a recognised track record of selling local property.

Here is a brief rundown of Arden’s history and milestones. The name Arden came from Henley-in-Arden, where Jon lived at the time.

Arden Estates Launches - Local Estate Agents Since 2010

In January 2010, Arden listed its first property for sale! Since then, we’ve grown steadily by focusing on local property knowledge and reliable results.

On the left is a picture of the very first logo created by Ian Johnson in his garage.

August 2010 - A New Leadership Team Strengthens Our Local Vision

James Cope agrees to join Jon as his business partner to form a partnership with Jon that would ignite Arden and change things to come.

The partnership between Jon and James created a strong foundation for our locally focused, client-first estate agent approach.

Breaking records and winning every award available over the next 10 years.

January 2012 – We Open our Key Bromsgrove Estate Agents Office

Arden opens its second branch on the corner of The Strand in Bromsgrove.

Our Bromsgrove branch quickly became the area’s top estate agency, reflecting our strong connection to the local market. To start with, Arden only occupied the ground floor, but by the following year, the second floor was needed to expand due to the growth of the branch.

Within 18 months, it was the No.1 property seller and has been ever since!

June 2013 - Arden Expands Further with the Barnt Green Estate Agents Branch

A chance opportunity arises to acquire Judith Hitchin Estate Agents in Barnt Green.

Arden is a well-known and respected name with years of experience and goodwill. After a few days of talks, Arden agreed to buy the branch, and Arden in Barnt Green was born. Acquiring a trusted local agency allowed us to grow our presence in the area while maintaining high service standards in Barnt Green.

It is located in the centre of Barnt Green High Street in a lovely boutique-style office.

June 2017 - Our Home Staging Service Launched to Help Sell Properties Faster

The birth of our Home Staging service!

In May 2017, Sarah Massey (Branch Manager for Bromsgrove) suggested staging empty properties to make selling easier and achieve higher prices.

Currently, they are staging 2-3 properties per week, and the feedback we get from customers is mind-blowing!

Our in-house staging service helps local sellers achieve quicker sales and stronger offers.

Go to House of Arden

June 2019 - Arden Launches Worcester Estate Agents City Branch

Worcester was always an obvious place for Arden to set up and when No.15 Foregate Street cropped up, this was too big an opportunity to miss. Expanding into Worcester allowed us to bring our proven local approach to selling homes to a broader audience.

Arden Worcester opens its doors in the Summer of 2019, with a fabulous party.

A stunning branch that has achieved great success!

August 2020 - Bromsgrove HQ Moves to Improve Client Access and Service

We moved to our new premises at Junction 1 of the M42 (The Old Paul Matty Sports car site). This is a story of hard work and perseverance.

It had been an Arden dream to purchase this site for over 4 years.

The deal was finally completed in the early Summer of 2020. Even a pandemic couldn’t derail it (although it tried!). Relocating to larger premises improved access and the level of service we offer to Bromsgrove’s property clients.

It’s been a complete game changer for our customers and our staff.

April 2021 – The Solihull Estate Agents Office Opens in Stratford Road

Opening a branch in Solihull marked a return to our roots and extended our trusted estate agency services to a new area. As mentioned, the name ‘Arden’ came from the Solihull / Henley-in-Arden areas and with Jon moving back there, it seemed like a natural progression.

This branch is located at 450 Stratford Road, a lovely office and location.

March 2022 – Arden’s Team became an Award-Winning Local Estate Agency in 2022–2023

Winning this award confirms our continued focus on quality service, local expertise, and strong client outcomes.

British Property Awards – Best Estate Agent 2022-2023

March 2023 – We Become a Certified Carbon Neutral Estate Agent

Arden Estates is proud to announce that we have achieved NCZ silver certification. We’re committed to leading on sustainability and have become one of the first carbon-neutral estate agencies in the region.

Arden has always been planet and community conscious, so achieving carbon net zero status was really important to us!

January 2024 – We Achieve National Recognition as the Gold Winner, Best Estate Agent Guide 2024

Estate Agent Guide Best Medium Sized Estate Agent in the UK for 2024!

This was a very proud moment for us as it highlights our commitment to excellence in every local property sale and letting service we offer.

To achieve such a prestigious, nationwide award without even entering the competition hopefully says a lot!

October 2024 - British Property Awards Winner – 2024–2025

Recognition from the British Property Awards reflects our ongoing dedication to delivering the best local estate agency service.

British Property Awards – Best Estate Agent 2022-2023

In the Community

At Arden Estates, we believe a strong local presence means more than just selling homes. We actively support community events, local schools, and charitable initiatives across Bromsgrove, Barnt Green, Worcester, and Solihull. Whether it’s sponsoring school fairs, fundraising for local causes, or taking part in neighbourhood clean-ups, we’re proud to give back to the areas we serve.

Why Choose Arden Estate Agents

With a track record built since 2010, Arden Estates is rooted in local property sales knowledge, steady growth, and a commitment to delivering results. Our independence means we’re not bound by corporate constraints and our decisions are made for our clients, not shareholders. From the founding vision to multiple award-winning branches, our story reflects consistency, ambition, and a hands-on approach that sets us apart in the crowded property market.

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