Self-employed agency platform EXP has reached 1,000 member agents in the UK, seven years after launching in the British market, as the self-employed agent model continues to gain traction in the property sector.
According to analysis from TwentyEA, there are currently around 2,000 self-employed estate agents operating in Britain, meaning EXP now represents approximately half of this market segment.
Market position
Data from TwentyEA also indicates that in June 2025, EXP became Britain’s largest estate agency brand by new instructions, marking a significant shift in the traditional agency landscape.
Adam Day, the agency’s UK and European Head, said the milestone reflects the pace of growth since the company entered the British market in 2019. He noted that the business reached 1,000 agents exactly one year after becoming the UK’s leading estate agency brand.
“We now account for 50% market share of self-employed agents within the UK property market,” Day said. “What’s particularly exciting is that the rate of growth is accelerating rather than slowing down.”
Industry implications
The growth of self-employed agency models represents a structural shift in how estate agency services are delivered in the UK. Unlike traditional high-street agencies, platforms like EXP allow agents to operate independently whilst accessing shared infrastructure and support services.
Day attributed the expansion to agents seeking greater flexibility and different economic models compared to traditional employment structures. Over the past year, the platform has expanded its offerings to include a brokerage model, commercial division, and what it describes as strategic partnerships.
The rise of alternative agency models comes as the property sector continues to evolve, with agents exploring different business structures. Whilst traditional agencies have long dominated the market, self-employed platforms are gaining ground, particularly amongst experienced agents looking for operational independence.
The shift mirrors broader changes in the property finance sector, where buy-to-let mortgage strategies for portfolio landlords have also evolved, and where alternative commercial property financing options have become more prevalent.
The company’s growth trajectory suggests the self-employed agent model is establishing itself as a permanent feature of the UK estate agency landscape, though it remains to be seen whether this market share will continue to expand or stabilise at current levels.