Business Details
35 Years
experience
Your Trusted Property Partner Across Southeast England
We are Arun Estates, the Southeast of England's largest independent estate agency, operating over 100 branches across four trusted brands. Since our founding in 1991 by Paul Rooney, we have helped thousands of people, from first-time buyers to property investors, move forward on their life's journey. Our family of brands includes Cubitt & West, Douglas Allen, Pittis, and Wards, each retaining its local identity while benefiting from our wider network. We also provide comprehensive mortgage advice through Mortgage Matters and specialist land and new homes expertise via Arun Land & New Homes. Our founder, Paul Rooney, began his career as a market stallholder before establishing Rooney & Co in 1981, learning the value of community and personalised service. This ethos remains central to our approach, ensuring every client receives tailored support from agents who truly know their local area.We invest heavily in our people, offering award-winning training that develops rewarding careers in estate agency, lettings, and mortgages. Our commitment to community extends beyond property, with the Rooney Family Foundation having raised over 16 million for children's charities across the Southeast. Today, Paul Rooney serves as Chairman while Aldo Sotgiu leads as Group Managing Director, preserving our vision of a local, high-street agent with big possibilities. We provide an inclusive range of services under one roof, including residential sales, lettings, conveyancing, financial services, and land opportunities. Whether you are selling, buying, letting, or developing, our local experts are here to guide you through every step of your property journey.
Services
Residential Sales
Residential Lettings
Conveyancing
Financial Services
Land Opportunities
New Homes
Mortgage Advice
Property Management
Property Investment
Estate Agency
Details
- Year established: 1991
Highlights and features
- We operate over 100 branches across Southeast England.
- Our four brands retain strong local identities.
- We provide award-winning training for all staff.
- Our community foundation has raised 16 million.
- We offer comprehensive property services under one roof.
Services
Residential Sales
Our residential sales service combines deep local knowledge with comprehensive marketing to achieve the best possible price for your property. Experienced agents across our four brands guide you through every step, from valuation to completion. We leverage our extensive network across the Southeast to connect sellers with qualified buyers efficiently.
Residential Lettings
Our lettings team provides full property management and tenant finding services tailored to landlords' needs. We handle everything from marketing and viewings to compliance and ongoing maintenance. With dedicated local offices, we ensure your investment is managed professionally and profitably.
Conveyancing
We partner with trusted solicitors to deliver efficient conveyancing for buyers and sellers across our region. Our in-house partnerships with Martin Tolhurst Solicitors and Move With Us ensure seamless transactions for every client. You benefit from clear communication and expert legal guidance throughout the entire property transfer process.
Financial Services
Our dedicated mortgage advisers at Mortgage Matters offer whole-of-market advice tailored to your individual circumstances. We help first-time buyers, home movers, and property investors secure competitive rates and suitable protection products. Our advisers guide you through the entire application process, ensuring a smooth journey to completion.
New Homes & Land
Arun Land & New Homes specialises in land acquisition and new build development across the Southeast of England. We work closely with developers and landowners to unlock site potential and deliver quality homes. Our expert team provides strategic advice from initial appraisal through to final sales and marketing.
People
Paul Rooney
Founder and Chairman
Paul Rooney founded Arun Estates in 1991 after building Rooney & Co from a single office in Horsham. A former market stallholder and laundrette owner, he values community, trust, and personal service. He remains Chairman, overseeing the group's vision.
David Lench
Former Group Managing Director
David Lench joined Arun Estates in 2005 as Group Managing Director, leading the business for 16 years. He oversaw significant brand development and operational growth. He now assists the Chairman in preserving the founder's vision and company culture.
Aldo Sotgiu
Group Managing Director
Aldo Sotgiu became Group Managing Director in 2021, taking the helm of Arun Estates' daily operations. He is committed to maintaining the company's local high-street ethos while driving innovation. Aldo focuses on people development and delivering exceptional customer experiences.
Jason Bunning
Director of Lettings and Business Development
Jason Bunning serves as Director of Lettings and Business Development, expanding the lettings division across all brands. He has grown the property management portfolio significantly since 2020. Jason ensures landlords receive professional, compliant, and profitable letting services.
Questions
What areas does Arun Estates cover?
We operate across Kent, Surrey, Sussex, Hampshire, Essex, the Isle of Wight, and London through our four local brands.
What services do you offer besides estate agency?
We provide residential lettings, conveyancing, mortgage advice, financial services, and new homes and land development.
How many branches does Arun Estates have?
We have over 100 branches across the Southeast of England, operating under the Cubitt & West, Douglas Allen, Pittis, and Wards brands.
Who leads Arun Estates today?
Aldo Sotgiu is the Group Managing Director, supported by founder Paul Rooney as Chairman and a senior leadership team.
Do you support local communities?
Yes, the Rooney Family Foundation has raised over £16 million for children's charities across the Southeast since its inception.
Can you help with property investment?
Our dedicated teams assist property developers and investors with land opportunities, portfolio development, and new build projects.
