In October 2022, at the age of just 26, Alistair Trippett bought an estate and lettings agency that had gone into administration. Two years later he has transformed the fortunes of Heywoods Estate Agents and doubled the team from nine to 18 staff.

The Newcastle-under-Lyme based business, which was founded more than a century ago, is now thriving in an industry where many estate and lettings agencies have faced insolvency.

Heywoods’ lettings portfolio has grown by 33% in managed properties over two years, solidifying its position as a leading agency in the region. This growth has complemented its dominance in the ST5 sales market where it has nearly 15% of the market share compared to its nearest competitor’s 9% share.

The lettings team was presented with a Gold Award at the British Property Awards, a national accolade that celebrates outstanding customer service in the property sector.

The Heywoods team was also recognised with a Gold Award for Sales at the EA Masters and has been included in the Best Estate Agent Guide for 2025.

Alistair said: “In 2024, we were proud to help a total of 283 families and individuals in finding their perfect homes, marking our busiest year on record. This milestone reflects our unwavering commitment to our clients and our ability to deliver results even in a competitive market.

“Despite operating in an industry fraught with challenges, our strategic vision, innovative practices and community-focused initiatives position us as a leading example of sustainable growth and excellence in the property sector. We remain committed to continuous improvement, client satisfaction and contributing positively to our community.”

New operating procedures have been introduced to streamline processes and to increase efficiency and client satisfaction.

Heywoods Maintenance has been launched to offer property care for homeowners and landlords. Led by Phil Harrison, who joined in a newly-formed maintenance operative role, this initiative ensures property issues are addressed swiftly.

Community engagement is a cornerstone of the company’s ethos. In 2024 it donated £10,000 to various charitable causes including donating £25 to the Peter Pan Centre for every house completion and tenant move-in during December 2024 and February 2025.

Alistair Trippett has entered the Entrepreneur of the Year and Young Business Person of the Year categories of the University of Staffordshire Business Awards and Heywoods Estate Agents has been entered into the Growth Award category.