Aston Vaughan at the Brighton & Hove Estate Agents’ Dinner
On Friday 6th February, we were proud to attend the Brighton & Hove Estate Agents’ Dinner at The Grand Hotel. The evening celebrated 140 years of the BHEA, brought together our local property community, and raised an incredible £7,000 for Rockinghorse Children's Charity — a fantastic achievement for a truly worthy cause.
On Friday 6th February, members of the Aston Vaughan team joined fellow agents and property professionals from across the city for one of the highlights of the industry calendar... the annual Brighton & Hove Estate Agents’ Dinner. Hosted at the beautiful and historic The Grand Hotel, the setting couldn’t have been more fitting for an evening that celebrates both heritage and community.
The dinner is always a wonderful opportunity to step away from the day-to-day pace of the property market and spend time connecting with colleagues, partners and friends within the industry. While we are all competitors in one sense, what makes Brighton & Hove unique is the strong sense of professionalism and mutual respect between agents. Events like this are a reminder that we are also collaborators working within the same vibrant city and contributing to its continued growth.
This year’s event had an even greater significance, as it marks 140 years since the Brighton & Hove Estate Agents Association (BHEA) was established in 1886. That’s an incredible milestone. To put it into perspective, the BHEA was formed just 22 years after The Grand Hotel first opened in 1864! And Brighton has changed a lot since then. Both institutions have stood the test of time and remain central to Brighton’s story. One represents the city’s architectural grandeur, the other its longstanding professional standards within the property industry.
For over a century, the BHEA has played a vital role in promoting integrity, best practice and cooperation among local agents. In a market that has seen enormous change, from handwritten ledgers to digital marketing, from newspaper listings to global online exposure, the association has provided continuity and a shared commitment to raising standards.
A particular highlight of the evening was the fundraising effort. Together, attendees raised an impressive £7,000 for Rockinghorse Children's Charity. Rockinghorse does extraordinary work supporting sick children and their families across Sussex, funding life-saving equipment, specialist projects and vital services. Knowing that the evening will directly benefit local families makes the occasion all the more meaningful.
We would like to extend our sincere thanks to BHEA President Richard Payne for hosting the event and for his ongoing leadership within the association. His dedication to maintaining the strength and unity of the Brighton & Hove property community is clear to see. Special recognition must also go to our friends Maria Vrahnaki and Andy Garth. Their hard work behind the scenes, attention to detail and commitment to maximising fundraising efforts are instrumental in making the evening such a success year after year. Events of this scale don’t happen by chance and it’s always impressive to see the care and effort that goes into every element of the night.
As a business deeply rooted in Brighton & Hove, we feel incredibly proud to be part of an industry with such heritage. 2025 has been a landmark year for Aston Vaughan. We’ve achieved significant growth, strengthened relationships with our clients and continued to adapt in a fast-moving market. From record-breaking sales to supporting first-time buyers and seasoned investors alike, it’s been a year defined by dedication and results.
Looking ahead to 2026, we’re excited about what the future holds, not just for us as a company, but for the wider Brighton & Hove property market. With a shared commitment to high standards and a strong sense of local pride, we are confident that the year ahead will bring further opportunity and success.
Here’s to the next chapter for Aston Vaughan and for a city we are proud to call home.
