Founded in 1990, Eckersley White has built a reputation for deep local knowledge and a trusted, personal approach to property sales, lettings, and block management. With a loyal client base and strong market presence, the business was seen as a natural fit for Bernards’ expanding operations.
Daniel Byrne, Director of Bernards, commented: “Eckersley White is a business we’ve admired for some time. Their local reputation and customer service ethos align well with our own values. We’re excited to welcome their team and clients into the Bernards family, and we look forward to building on the fantastic foundations they’ve laid.”
The Eckersley White name will be retained, preserving its identity while benefiting from a series of investments across the team, brand, and premises in Lee-on-the-Solent. These include onboarding to Zoopla, a refreshed digital presence, enhanced social media activity, and a complete office refurbishment to create a modern, welcoming environment for staff and clients.
Together, these enhancements are designed to attract new business while continuing to deliver exceptional results for existing clients. All while maintaining its core independent values and continued service to the Lee-on-the-Solent community and surrounding areas, setting the stage for a bright future ahead for the company.
Chris Drake, former owner of Eckersley White, commented: “It’s been a privilege to work alongside Eckersley White’s fantastic team and to help shape and grow the business into the trusted name it is today. As we move into this next chapter with Bernards, I’m confident our clients and team are in excellent hands. The shared values between our firms made this decision an easy one, and I’m excited to see what the future holds.”
The deal is the latest in a series of acquisitions supported by Think Acquisition, reinforcing Bernards’ targeted growth strategy across the South East through the acquisition and integration of high-quality sales, lettings, and block management businesses.
Leon Gorman, Deal Lead at Think Acquisition, added: “It’s been a pleasure to work with Daniel and the wider Bernards team. This acquisition demonstrates the power of alignment, two locally respected, independent firms coming together to build something even stronger. We’re proud to support Bernards on their continued acquisition journey and look forward to completing further acquisitions together. A special thanks to Darwin Gray for managing the legal process”
This transaction marks another milestone in a busy period for Bernards, which has completed multiple acquisitions and continues to pursue further growth across the South East of England.