This is truly a significant time for By Design in South Africa.
When someone of Mark Mitchley’s calibre, with almost 35 years of knowledge and experience in our industry, chooses to partner with By Design Homes South Africa, I take it as a huge compliment. To me, it says he has recognised the value of what we are building in South Africa for premium real estate agents.
Mark and I go back almost 16 years. I was building the Midrand and Garden Route territories, while Mark was heading up a highly successful territory in Sandton.
He may not know this, but I was pushing myself hard to catch his sales figures. I got close, but never quite close enough! The net result was that my business grew exponentially during that time.
Now our paths have met again. This time, we are aligned in our drive to use an exceptional international brand to build something meaningful for premium real estate agents in South Africa.
As Mark put it in his LinkedIn announcement: “After more than 35 years in property, I’m not interested in simply making another move. I’m interested in what we can build next.”
By Design is the fastest-growing premium estate agency in the UK.* That achievement gives us enormous confidence in what we are building here, and Mark’s decision to partner with us is a powerful endorsement of the direction we are taking.
For me, this is both a professional milestone and a personal one. I’m delighted that our paths have come together again, and I look forward to what Mark will bring to our network.
*Source: TwentyEA. UK-wide new instructions for properties listed at £750,000 and above, 1 August 2025–31 July 2026 compared with 1 August 2024–31 July 2025; ranked among brands with 50 or more instructions in the earlier period. Data extracted 13 August 2026.
After more than 35 years in property, you develop a very clear view of what creates value for clients, for property professionals and for the businesses they build.
I’ve spent my career building businesses, leading people and working with some of the most respected names in the industry. I’ve seen the property landscape change considerably over that time, and I believe we are entering another important shift in the way experienced professionals choose to operate.
I have chosen to partner with By Design.
I’ve known Elizabeth McKenzie for many years. We spent almost 15 years operating alongside one another as fellow licensees. I know how she thinks, how she operates and, importantly, I understand what she is building with By Design in South Africa.
There is also a strong international dimension. David Lindley, who I have known and worked with over many years, is the founder of By Design and is leading the brand in the UK. The opportunity to work alongside people whose experience and judgement I know, within a brand with genuine international ambition, carries significant weight for me.
But the strength of By Design is not simply the people behind it; it’s the model.
A premium international brand combined with a structure that allows experienced property professionals to build their own businesses, retain their independence and operate with the backing and infrastructure of something much bigger.
I believe that is where significant opportunity lies in this industry.
After more than 35 years, I’m not interested in simply making another move.
I’m interested in what we can build next.