LEADING estate agent Hamptons International is delighted to be celebrating its 150th birthday this year.

To commemorate this exciting milestone, the business is pleased to announce a succession of events and campaigns taking place throughout the year to highlight the achievement of reaching 150 years.

Hamptons International started life in 1869 with an office in Pall Mall, eight members of staff, and with George Hampton named as the managing director.

Fast forward 150 years and Hamptons International now has a network of over 90 offices in London and the south of the UK employing over 1,000 members of staff.

Outside of the UK, Hamptons International is represented in over 30 countries around the world providing buyers with access to over 100,000 international properties.

Celebrations to mark the 150th birthday will run throughout the year commencing from the first working day back, with each member of staff being gifted their birthday off in 2019.

January will also see the return of the Hamptons International branded taxis, with a fleet of 15 taking to the streets for the entire year.

For Hamptons International clients the 150th property of the year to be sold or let will be done so for free.

Hamptons has also committed to make 2019 its biggest year of fundraising yet, and in support of the businesses ongoing commitment to charity partner Cancer Research UK, Hamptons International is proud to introduce “Challenge 150”.

This is an internal initiative whereby each member of the business has pledged to raise £150 each to collectively raise in excess of £150,000 for CRUK by the year end.

To date, Hamptons International has raised almost a quarter of a million pounds for Cancer Research and plans to build on this contribution.

Finally, as an extra addition to what is already set to be a bonanza of a year, Hamptons International will be unveiling “Project Planet” later in 2019.

This project will focus on making the business more environmentally conscious by taking a look at overall consumption and looking at ways to make a positive contribution to the planet.

More details are to be announced later on in the year.

Lesley Cairns, managing director of Hamptons International says: “We could not be more thrilled to have reached this exciting milestone of 150 years. 150 years of vision and purpose along with the efforts of our fantastic people make Hamptons International the commercially successful and brilliant business it is today.

"2019 is set to be a wonderful year of celebration for the entire business and we look forward to celebrating with our many customers past and present. Hamptons is a respected heritage brand with an incredible legacy and I hope this year, as custodians of the brand, we can do the business proud. Here’s to Hamptons International, and here’s to the next 150 years!”