The Reading branch of national sales and lettings agency Parkers has bolstered its managed portfolio by acquiring independent agency Samuel James and taken on six members of their staff.

Parkers, Reading owner Craig Pearson, who also owns Parkers branches in nearby Woodley and Earley, said, “It was important to the owner that he found a buyer to continue looking after his clients as well as his current staff.

“We were extremely pleased and proud that we were seen as the agency to do all that based on our ethos and care for our existing clients.”

Craig is one of Parkers’ longest serving property experts, having joined the brand as a sales negotiator in Bracknell in 1993.

Xperience and Whitegates Managing Director Kate Toland said, “Craig has always been extremely forward-thinking and hugely ambitious and I’m delighted to see this latest acquisition cross the finish line.”