John D Wood & Co., one of the UK’s leading prime estate agents, is pleased to announce the acquisition of Aspire, a prominent Southwest London estate agency. This strategic acquisition marks a significant step in the expansion of John D Wood & Co.’s London presence, demonstrating its continued commitment to growth and local market leadership.
Founded in 2003, Aspire has built a strong reputation for delivering exceptional customer service and in-depth market knowledge across its five branches in Battersea, Balham, Fulham South, Fulham Central, and Clapham. Aspire will retain its well-known brand identity while becoming part of the John D Wood & Co. family of brands, which includes CHK Mountford and APW Property.
John D Wood & Co. is renowned for its market-leading performance, with unrivalled coverage across the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, as well as an extensive international reach with access to some of the most sought-after properties worldwide. Additionally, Aspire’s landlords will gain access to The Hub, John D Wood & Co.’s dedicated property management centre, trusted by over 75% of its landlord base for expert, end-to-end support.
Polly Ogden Duffy, Managing Director of John D Wood & Co., comments: “This acquisition marks a key milestone in our growth journey and reaffirms our position as a leader in London’s residential property market. Aspire is a natural fit for our business, having built a reputation for excellence, community values and service. We’re delighted to welcome their talented team and loyal clients into the John D Wood & Co. network.
With over 150 years of heritage behind us, this coming together reflects our ambition not only to uphold our legacy, but to shape the future of property services for the next 150 years. Together, we are better positioned than ever to lead in Southwest London, combining local expertise with a wider reach and greater resources to serve buyers, sellers, landlords and tenants alike.”
Matthew Dabell, Founder of Aspire, comments: “This is a proud and exciting moment for all of us at Aspire. Over the past 20 years, we’ve worked hard to become one of the leading estate agencies in Southwest London — known not just for our results, but for the relationships we’ve built and the personal service we deliver. That local focus and commitment won’t change.
What makes this next chapter so exciting is the opportunity to retain everything our clients know and value about Aspire, while benefiting from the wider reach and support of John D Wood & Co. It’s a partnership built on shared values — integrity, expertise, and a genuine care for the people and communities we serve.”
Tom Ward, who will be taking over from Matthew as a Director of Aspire, adds: “I’m incredibly proud of what our team has achieved, and I look forward to everything we will accomplish together in the future.”
