Three-generation agency celebrates 60 years in business
A lettings and sales agency is celebrating six decades in business this year.Boydens, which has branches in Essex and Suffolk, was established in 1966 by Desmond Boyden with the company’s first office in Colchester.His son David joined the business in 1976 and continues as chairman today, while grandson Philip joined in 2014 and became the third generation managing director in 2024.Today’s Boydens operates five branches in Colchester, Chelmsford, Kelvedon, Frinton-on-Sea and Sudbury. It also runs a leasehold and estate management division out of its Colchester office.The business has grown to more than 50-strong across the agency, lettings and block management teams.It typically has around 200 homes available for sale, almost 1,000 properties under management, and a further 2,800 units in the block management department.Philip Boyden says: “The secret of our success is that we have never stood still, we have always looked for new ways to keep evolving, but with a laser like focus on providing our clients with the highest standards of customer service and trust.“Over recent years we have introduced new technologies to further enhance the service we provide our clients, whether they are looking to move home or a landlord with a portfolio of properties under management. “This has included, more recently, investigating how the rise of artificial intelligence can complement the vast local knowledge and expertise of our teams. Ongoing training and development for our staff is something we are also passionate about.”The Boydens story began in 1852 when George Boyden, a master builder and Quaker, started his own business. His son, Aston, continued the building business and, at its height employed 28 staff before being interrupted by the Second World War. It was Aston’s son Desmond who created the Boydens estate and lettings agency in 1966 having previously trained and worked as a chartered surveyor.
