Lomond Group’s John Shepherd brand has made a strategic acquisition in the Midlands that further consolidates its presence in the area.

The third deal in as many months involves the purchase of the 550- unit lettings arm of Solihull-based Smart Homes, taking the rental portfolio across its five-branch network past the 3,000 milestone.

Staff from the former Smart Homes Lettings team have transferred to John Shepherd.

Smart Homes will now focus exclusively on its residential sales service, as well as its new homes, land and commercial departments, under the leadership of its founder Jamie Smart.

Richard Crathorne, Chief Executive of John Shepherd, said: “Amid the ongoing challenges of the pandemic, we are thrilled to kick-start 2022 on such a positive note, and carry over our acquisitions momentum into the New Year.

“We share the same footprint at Smart Homes Lettings so this injection of new properties has dovetailed seamlessly into our existing High Street branches. “We also inherit new staff brimming with the same local knowledge, industry insight, and high customer service standards on which we pride ourselves.”