It aims to provide professional service to housing associations, SMEs and housebuilders to grow their portfolio, as well as optimise and maximise the value of land in order to meet new homes targets.

It also looks to help commercial businesses advance their logistic and industrial site outreach.

Based in the South East, the senior leadership team at Walter Cooper — led and founded by Simon Cox — have over 40 years of experience in the industry between them, having worked on more than 25,000 plot transactions with a combined GDV of over £1bn.

Simon started laying the groundwork for the business in 2020 after over a decade at Lanes Land, where he advised clients from international governments, equity funds, national housebuilders, to regional SMEs and sole traders.

“This was my chance to be the master of my own destiny and make decisions that are in the best interest for both my clients and family,” said Simon.

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“Setting up a company has always been a dream of mine, and I feel very proud of what we have achieved so far.”

Simon believes that the business’s unique position as neither aligned to housebuilders or planning officers, makes it qualified to navigate the best deals for both buyers and sellers, while encouraging policy makers to improve the industry.

“More communication is needed between these two parties so housebuilders can avoid lengthy planning delays and build the houses we need faster. 

“There is a prime opportunity for land agents to be at the forefront of change and drive efficiency.”

Walter Cooper also focuses on sustainability, having been certified as carbon neutral via the Carbon Neutral Small Business Programme.

Each month, five tonnes of CO2 equivalent will be offset on behalf of the business, where 30 trees will be planted every month in sustainable projects around the world.

The business has also created a bursary scheme to help those without access to funds get the qualifications they need to become doctors, nurses, and support staff, run by the East & North Herts hospital charity. 

“Covid has shaken us all and made us incredibly thankfully for our dedicated healthcare workers, and this is our way of doing something meaningful beyond a one-off donation,” said Simon.

“From day one, we’ve always said we are a business who cares — not just about our clients, but about our local environment and community. 

“We want to leave a positive legacy, and we hope we have already started putting actions to our words.”