190 years of Winkworth: adapting, evolving, and leading in the property industry

Winkworth estate agency, founded in 1835, began as a small business under the name of Samuel Donaldson in the prestigious area of Mayfair, London. Originally starting as a ‘paperhanger,’ Donaldson's career progressed through various titles, including house agent, land agent, and finally, auctioneer. It wasn’t until 1893 that the company was acquired by Henry St. John Winkworth, who renamed it after himself, marking the beginning of a new era for the agency.

Under the leadership of Henry St. John Winkworth, the business flourished and became a leading name in London’s property market. Known for working with the upper echelons of British and foreign society, Winkworth specialised in renting Mayfair homes and selling country estates. The company's speciality in catering to the elite helped establish its reputation, particularly during the early 20th century, when its Mayfair offices played a central role in the renting and selling of properties to the capital’s wealthy. Winkworth was especially renowned for its services during the 'Season,' when aristocrats and foreigners would seek out homes in central London.

Henry’s success allowed him to send his sons, Edward Henry St. John and Henry Dixon Winkworth, to the prestigious Harrow School. Both sons eventually joined the family business, further cementing the Winkworth legacy. Edward Henry St. John, the eldest son, sadly passed away at a young age, leaving Henry Dixon as the sole heir to the business. Henry Dixon continued the family tradition, and even after his retirement, he remained involved as a consultant until his passing in 1983.

In the 1960s, Winkworth was acquired by Mann and Co. (now part of the Countrywide group) Mann and Co was majority owned by Simon P Agace’s father, William P Agace, 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.

Simon’s visionary approach to business included transforming Winkworth into a franchised operation in 1981 after being inspired by the franchise model in America. Winkworth was the first ever estate agency franchise in the UK and had grown to 10 offices across London.

Simon Agace’s leadership saw Winkworth embrace the modern business models of the late 20th century, which spurred growth and helped the company adapt to changing times. By 1985, Winkworth had begun publishing its property news tabloid, which coincided with the celebration of its 150th anniversary of the company. 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.

The company took a significant step in 2004 when Simon Agace transitioned from CEO to non-executive Chairman, passing the reins to his son, Dominic Agace. Winkworth’s growth trajectory continued steadily, with the company expanding to 52 offices across London in 2005. By this time, Winkworth had begun its national expansion, with offices opening outside of London in regions such as Hampshire, Kent, and Lincolnshire. Under Dominic's leadership, Winkworth achieved a major milestone in 2009, successfully floating on AIM, which enabled further expansion across the UK. By this time, the network had grown to 55 offices in London and 19 beyond the M25.

Winkworth’s expansion to the country markets was followed by a series of international moves, starting with the creation of the China Desk in 2012, now called the APAC Desk to reflect its growth and expansion into broader Asia Pacific markets. The company continued to strengthen its global presence with the opening of its Winkworth Spain office in southern Spain in 2014, handling properties in areas including Guadalmina, Sotogrande, Marbella and the Costa del Sol.

Winkworth’s Client Services Department was established in 2014 to improve customer service across the network, by creating a unified database that connected all offices and streamlined operations.

In 2017 the company’s innovative website won the prestigious Gold Award for Website of the Year at The Negotiator Awards, a testament to its ongoing leadership in the property industry and dedication to delivering a top-tier customer experience.

In the following years, Winkworth continued to expand its service offerings with the introduction of two key departments: in 2020, Winkworth introduced its Development and Commercial Investment department, delivering expert advice on commercial property sales, leasing, and investment and development opportunities across the Capital. In 2023, the company launched Winkworth New Homes, offering an extensive range of new-build properties in London from boutique developers to the country's largest housebuilders.

Over the years, the support team at Winkworth’s head office grew from just three staff members to 34. This growth was fuelled by the company’s ongoing desire to evolve and offer enhanced support to its growing network of 100 offices nationwide.

In 2025, Winkworth celebrates a remarkable 190 years in the property industry, cementing its place as one of the UK’s most respected estate agencies. Winkworth’s long history is not just a testament to its enduring success, but also to its adaptability and forward-thinking approach in an ever-evolving market. From its humble beginnings in 1835 as a family-run business catering to London’s high society, Winkworth has moved with the times and grown into a network of over 100 UK offices across the London, country and coastal markets. Throughout its expansion, however, Winkworth has remained true to the values that have defined its legacy, delivering personalised, high-quality service to clients, combined with innovation, growth and adaptability.

In 2025, these principles are evident in our achievements: £3.4 billion worth of property sold last year, 175,000 registered applicants in 2024, a database of over four million contacts, 58,000 properties listed in the last five years, and more than four million visits to our website.

As the estate agency network celebrates its 190th anniversary, the company can look back with pride in its rich history and anticipation of continuing to serve as a trusted name in the property industry, offering professional service tailored to the individual needs of each client, while staying true to the values established by its founders nearly two centuries ago.

To learn more about Winkworth and see a selection of our finest properties, explore the new edition of Winkworth Luxury Magazine—available now.