The Roots of Flick & Son and Where It All Began
Robert Flick, son of Samuel, took over the business in 1863 where the company diversified into farming alongside their existing business. By 1900, operations expanded with new branches opening in Aldeburgh and Leiston and the third generation of the family, Samuel Adolfus Flick, growing the rural client base when he took the reins.
On his 21st birthday in 1926, Samuel’s son Samuel Godfrey Flick started at Flick & Son but was interrupted by the Second World War when he joined the army. During this time, the company continued trading however the Aldeburgh office was closed.
By 1959, Tony Flick joined his father in the business, continuing the family line that spanned more than a century. 4 years later, he went into partnership with Ray Leeming, a Chartered Surveyor, which continued for 25 years. During this time, Flick & Son moved premises from the Old Bank House in Saxmundham to its current home at Ashford House, still in Saxmundham.
The Introduction of Today’s Management Team
Tony Flick and Ray Leeming sold Flick & Son to William H Brown in 1989; this marked the start of where today’s management team was introduced. However, in 1995, Peter Watson, Chris Burrell-Saward and Richard Leeming successfully negotiated a management buyout from William H Brown, making Flick & Son an independent estate agent once again.
Since then, Flick & Son has added a branch office in Southwold and, in 2003, Mark Stewart joined the company as another Director. Celebrating 175 years in business in 2008, Flick & Son was awarded both Estate Agent and Letting Agent of the Year prizes for the Eastern region.
Paul Gray was appointed as Managing Director in 2017 to expand the business’ residential sales, letting and management activities. He has over 20 years’ industry experience, the last 5 prior as Director at one of London’s most successful independent estate agents.
Flick & Son’s Chief Executive Office
After Co-owner Chris Burrell-Saward took retirement in 2018 after 24 years acting as Company Secretary and Peter Watson took retirement in 2021 after 26 years at the helm of Flick and Son and the last few years as Executive Chairman, Paul Gray took over full control of Flick & Son as of 10th May 2021.
Paul completed a management buyout and became CEO of Flick & Son. Following on from Peter Watson’s retirement in 2021, Sabrina joined the board as Managing Director alongside Paul to assist in delivering the legacy and values of a family run business. Even though they both sit on the board, they also branch out to work with the staff to deliver the very best in every customer journey – this is the main priority and the most important company value led by Paul.
Today, Flick & Son continues to build on the strengths that have made the company great for more than 180 years: fully qualified staff, professional experience and unrivalled local knowledge. Meet our team for yourself here or come and visit one of our offices today!