Partners have taken their leave of a regional chain which has now rebranded.
Ward & Partners, part of Arun Estates Group and which claims to be the largest independent agent in Kent, is now known as ‘Wards’.
The rebrand, affecting 42 branches, is being promoted in a publicity campaign including TV ads.


Comments (7)
Having worked for another of the “Arun” Brands, I can tell you it would take a lot more than a name change for me to think anything positive about this group. The nastiest place I have worked in 26 years!
The ‘partners’ departed years ago and wth ever dwindling profits, increasing staff costs and a culture that dates to the early 90’s they had to do something to freshen the brand.
Big SOLD. Tiny STC.
Tut, tut.
Branding debates are great! Dropping ‘& partners’ makes sense, it modernises the brand but I’m not sure I would have left the apostrophe off the boards.
Has anyone told John Lewis/Waitrose that dropping the “and partners” modernises a brand !!
As I said branding debates are great! I can’t recall John Lewis or Waitrose having “& partners” on their signage so I’m not sure I get the point you’re making. I took it this story was about the branding of the boards not the ownership and running of the company. Perhaps I’m wrong.
Ward & partners, as the boards used to display, portrayed a more traditional firm with 1980’s styling to it, the white cliffs, sea/ beach, picture board has a modern look to it. An apostrophe would have given the valuable impression that Ward’s is independently owned by the Ward family rather than a pural of a district or part of a hospital
I went and had a look, both do display ‘& partners’ I had never noticed that