Winkworth since 1835

Samuel Donaldson founded the estate agency in the prestigious area of Mayfair, London, initially as a small business. Donaldson’s career began as a ‘paperhanger,’ but he later expanded his role to become a house agent, land agent, and auctioneer.

Henry St. John Winkworth acquired the company, renaming it after himself and marking the start of a new chapter. This acquisition was the beginning of Winkworth’s rise to prominence in the London property market.

Under Henry’s leadership, Winkworth became a leading name in the London property market, focusing on high-end rental properties in Mayfair and selling country estates. The agency developed a reputation for catering to wealthy British and foreign clients, especially during the ‘Season,’ when aristocrats and international buyers sought homes in central London.

Henry St. John Winkworth sent his sons, Edward Henry St. John and Henry Dixon Winkworth, to Harrow School, and both later joined the family business. The Winkworth legacy was solidified with the next generation taking the helm.

Edward Henry St. John passed away at a young age, leaving his brother, Henry Dixon Winkworth, as the sole heir to the business. Henry Dixon carried on the family tradition, continuing to support the company even after his retirement, consulting until his passing in 1983.

Winkworth was sold to Mann and Co (now part of the Countrywide group), though Henry Dixon’s influence remained within the company, maintaining its high standards.

In 1974 Simon Agace sold his shares in Mann and Co who had 55 office at that time and was able to purchase the Mann business in London (in Knightsbridge and Holland Park) together with the existing Winkworth business in Curzon Street, Mayfair, which was  then renamed M. Winkworth trading as Winkworth.

Inspired by the franchise model in America, Simon Agace set about transitioning Winkworth into a franchised business, broadening its reach and operational model.

Winkworth became the first-ever estate agency franchise in the UK, growing to 10 offices across London, solidifying its position in the real estate market.

Winkworth celebrated its 150th anniversary and began publishing its property news tabloid, further strengthening its brand and keeping clients informed on the property market.

In 1998, Winkworth set a new benchmark for innovation by becoming one of the frontrunners to set up its own estate agency website, embracing a new digital age in the property industry.

This year also marked a leadership transition, with Simon Agace stepping down as CEO to become Non-Executive Chairman, and Dominic Agace became a Director.

In 2005, Winkworth expanded to 52 offices across London. By this time, Winkworth had begun its national expansion, with offices opening outside of London in regions such as Hampshire, Kent, and Lincolnshire.

In 2009, Dominic Agace transitioned from Director to CEO of Winkworth. Under his leadership, Winkworth achieved a major milestone by floating on the AIM stock exchange, facilitating its growth across the UK. By this point, Winkworth had expanded to 55 offices in London and 19 outside the M25.

Winkworth expanded internationally into the Chinese market by establishing its China Desk, which was rebranded as the APAC Desk in 2024 to reflect its growth and expansion into broader Asia Pacific markets.

Winkworth launched its Client Services department to provide greater support for its local offices through a unified database, connecting all offices and streamlined operations, improving customer service across the network.

Winkworth continued to strengthen its international presence with the opening of its office in southern Spain in 2015, selling properties in areas including Guadalmina, Sotogrande, Marbella and the Costa del Sol.

Winkworth’s Corporate Services Department launched to offer a centralised, stream-lined property search facility for companies relocating employees around London and the UK, supporting relocation agents, property finders, buying agents, HR professionals, tenants, buyers and students.

The company’s continued growth and focus on customer satisfaction resulted in a team of 34 staff at its head office, supporting a growing network of over 100 offices nationwide. The company also set up its in-house recruitment service to enhance its offering for franchisees. Winkworth’s website was recognised for excellence in 2017, winning the Gold Award for Website of the Year at the Negotiator Awards, underscoring the company’s commitment to innovation and customer service in the digital age.

Continuing its momentum of growth, Winkworth launched its new Development and Commercial Investment department, delivering expert advice on commercial property sales, leasing, and investment and development opportunities across the Capital.

Winkworth continued its expansion into new markets with the launch of its New Homes department, offering a wide range of new build properties in London from boutique developers to the country's largest housebuilders.

Celebrating 190 years, Winkworth stands as one of the UK’s most respected estate agencies. With over 100 offices across the country, it remains true to its values of providing personalised, high-quality service while adapting to the ever-changing property market.