About Arun Estates

Growing up in London, Paul Rooney went to college to study Technical Drawing but, he soon decided that this was not a career for him. He started his first private business venture as a fruit and vegetable stallholder in the local market. These early experiences helped him understand his community and build strong connections with the people around him. The camaraderie and support he saw every day sparked a passion in him that shaped his career.

In the early 80s, Paul decided to move out of London to Horsham for a better way of life and purchased a small chain of laundrettes in West Sussex. The business thrived and the laundrettes quickly became community hubs allowing him to stay connected with local residents that gave him valuable insights into what people need and want when looking for a new home. It taught him the importance of empathy, clear communication, and personalised service that prepared him for a future in estate agency.

Years later, when Paul decided to sell his home, he had a bad experience with his chosen agents. Their poor communication and rushed approach made him feel his home wasn’t given the best chance to sell at a good price. This experience motivated Paul to start his own small, independent estate agency, Rooney & Co., converting his laundrette on Queen Street Horsham into his first new estate agency office to offer buyers and sellers a better experience.

Paul subsequently converted more laundrettes and, with several property purchases, by the late 80s Paul was trading from six offices of Rooney & Co around the Horsham area.His commitment to keeping local, independent estate agencies faced a pivotal moment around 1990 when he heard that Prudential was exiting the estate agency market and, that Prudential Property Services SE was available for purchase.

Paul founded Arun Estate Agencies Ltd as a vehicle to successfully acquire the 108 offices of the Southeast region from Prudential with finance provided by Winterthur Life Assurance Co Ltd. Paul believed value could be gained by reinstating the original local agent's names such as “Cubitt & West”, “Sir Francis Pittis & Son” and “Wards and Partners” rather than trading in the “Arun” name.

In 1994 around 60 Douglas Allen Spiro offices were acquired from Refuge Assurance Co. Ltd, which now trades under the name “Douglas Allen”. Currently, the Arun Group trades profitably out of over 100 locations in the South East of England.

Understanding the value of community, and the importance of helping those move forward was the key to Paul’s success. He kept each brand true to its original identity but grew support through his wider network of experienced and passionate estate agents. 

By keeping the estate agents local, Paul ensured people could rely on agents who knew their areas well. His efforts made property services more accessible across the South East and highlighted the importance of trust and local knowledge in the industry. Paul's journey from a market stallholder to building one of the largest independent estate agents in the South East shows his commitment to his community and the people working for him.

While operating as a Limited Company, Paul always regarded it as a family business. He deeply valued hard work, trust, honesty, and loyalty, and in return, he provided job and financial security. This commitment is evident in the many long-serving employees who remain an integral part of the company today.

Paul’s passion for helping others extended beyond the estate agency. Together with his wife, Clare, he established the Rooney Family Foundation, which has donated millions of pounds, principally for children’s charities, through individual and group grants across the Southeast.

Today, Paul continues to serve as Chairman of Arun Estates, assisted by David Lench, to ensure Paul’s vision of helping people move forward remains at the heart of the company’s mission.

Group Managing Director, Aldo Sotgiu, is at the helm and heart of Arun Estates, keeping Paul’s vision for a local, high-street agent alive. We offer award-winning training to our agents to keep giving them the best possible careers in estate agency, lettings and mortgages. 

Our community and people are always at the forefront of our minds and, with some fantastic and expert individuals within our teams, our customers receive the best possible tailored experience for their moving journey.