Where It All Began

Why Hannells?

Way back in 2003, Alison and I were left feeling disappointed and frustrated after being on the receiving end of a poor estate agency service.

After speaking with family and friends, we found that the standard of estate agency in Derby and the surrounding areas was leaving a lot to be desired.

We saw a huge gap in the market and decided to take on the challenge for ourselves. Hannells was born and 20 years later, we’ve become one of Derby’s best-known, family-run businesses. And we’re still growing from strength to strength…

Michael Brain
Joint Founding Director

In March of that year we launched Hannells from a tiny two-storey office on the High Street in Hilton. With no prior estate agency experience, we were driven by our vision of an honest, results-focused service that treated customers as people, not numbers. Our fresh approach won-over buyers and sellers across the village and word quickly spread.

Even though the local market was dominated by the large corporate chains of estate agents, our professional, knowledgeable and friendly team (all of which remain core values at Hannells to this day!) quickly carved out an impressive share of the local market. It was becoming clear that our brand of personal service and great marketing was something that homeowners across Derby really valued – and worked!

The rest, as they say, is history…

Fast-forward to today and our Derby born and bred, family-run estate agency has grown to become a well-recognised brand within the community and has been received many of the industry’s most prestigious awards as a result of our marketing, service and results.

It’s been two decades since we sold our first property and despite being Derby’s top selling estate agency for more than 15 of thoses years, we still have the same hunger and desire to not just be the best, but to be different by staying true to what Hannells has always stood for.

Both Alison and I are extremely proud to be a part of Derby, and to this day we remain humbled by the support that the local community has shown to our family business – it’s been a moving experience!

And that’s why we’ve always felt that it’s important not just to do our utmost to provide the best possible service, but to go beyond and give a little something back.

From being headline sponsor and bringing back the hugely popular “Darley Park Concert” to various charitable activities such as sleeping out for the homeless with the YMCA and our 2022 Christmas Charity Drive with Doorways Derby which resulted in hundreds of local families with financial difficulties receiving a slap-up Christmas dinner with presents for the kids – with plenty more to come!

And that’s why when you choose to work with Hannells, you can be sure that you’re choosing to work with an independent, family-run, home-grown business that values our reputation, our customers and gives back to the community that we serve.

So, thanks for stopping by to find out more about our story. If you’re anything like me, you like to know who it is you’re doing business with and now you know a little bit more about us.

I hope that we can be of service to you. The team here are ready and waiting to provide you with a moving experience…

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The Brains Behind The Business...

We have a team of well over 50 people at Hannells working daily to deliver our renowned moving experiences. Here's a few of them!


Alison Brain - Joint Founding Director Of Hannells Estate Agents

Michael Brain - Joint Founding Director Of Hannells Estate Agents

Benjamin Brain - Branch Director At Hannells Estate Agents | Joined 2006

Oliver Brain - Valuations Director At Hannells Estate Agents | Joined 2004

Nicola Barnard - Area Director At Hannells Estate Agents | Joined 2015

Jenna Dolman - Head Of Lettings At Hannells Estate Agents | Joined 2014

Michelle Tinson - Chaddesden Branch Manager At Hannells | Joined 2004

Lorna Nicholas - Chaddesden Sales Negotiator At Hannells | Joined 2019

Niki Younger - Chellaston Branch Manager At Hannells | Joined 2004

Rebecca Mills - Chellaston Valuations Manager At Hannells | Joined 2013

George Shore - Chellaston Sales Negotiator At Hannells | Joined 2015

Emma Trowbridge - Assistant Branch Manager At Allestree | Joined 2016

Bonnie Bees - Allestree Valuations Manager At Hannells | Joined 2020

Amy Boole - Alvaston Branch Manager At Hannells | Joined 2017

Heather James - Alvaston Valuations Manager At Hannells | Joined 2016

Keilia Parker - Chaddesden Valuations Manager At Hannells | Joined 2020

Lauren Taylor - Littleover Branch Manager At Hannells | Joined 2016

Sarah Keeling - Mickleover Branch Manager At Hannells | Joined 2018

Sam Harrison - Mickleover Valuations Manager At Hannells | Joined 2013

Eve Holmes - Mickleover Sales Negotiator At Hannells | Joined 2016

Sally Murphy - Mickleover Sales Progressor At Hannells | Joined 2020
Reviews

What our customers say

Mark Cockerham

"Afternoon Hannells , Where do I start . Aimee Thornton is a credit to the company ,alway polite and very helpful , and most of all she’s been patient with me as I’m not the best with forms . I would like to thank you all for all your help "

Hana Jamil

"Sharon is so friendly and pleasant. She is informative and helpful"

Ellamay Hagues

"Olivia at Hannells was brilliant with our move this week. She kept us updated every step of the way and made us feel at ease with what is a very stressful time"

Luisa Derbyshire

"Lorna has been very helpful, she always has excellent communication and regularly checks in with me. Great service thank you"

Sue Palmer

"Extremely helpful and friendly and totally professional, keeping me informed of the progress as it happens"

John Villanueva

"Amazing experience with hanelles. Especially Leanna Holmes who has been very responsive and kind to us. She gave all the details and all that we need on the property that we rent"

Rated 4.91 stars for customer service from 2675 reviews.