The History

The firm was originally established in 1892 when New Zealander Newman Chennels opened Chennels Estate Agents at 36 and 37 Havelock Road.

He was joined in 1903 when Sydney Dyer bought a half share of the business. At this point the practice had it’s first name change to Chennels & Dyer. In 1911 a third partner, AW Gallaway, joined and Chennels, Dyer and Gallawy was formed. By this time Havelock Road had become a favourite area for Estate Agents offices and remains so to this day. In 1924 Percy Overton became a partner and the firm’s name changed again, this time to Dyer & Overton. Sydneys son Hugh joined in 1926 and upon qualifying as a Fellow of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, became a Partner in 1932.

There were various other partners in the company from time to time including Mrs Sheila Pratt and Ralph Hynard FRICS, both very well respected property professionals of their time. The firm began to become increasingly involved in Commercial Property during these years specialising in property surveys, rent reviews and property management.

Hugh’s son Gary Dyer FRICS joined in 1976 to become the third generation in the business where it continued to trade as Dyer and Overton. In 1988 the company was acquired by the largest surveying practice in the South East, Stiles Harold Williams. It then traded as Stiles Dyer and Overton until a management buyout in 1995 by Gary saw the formation of Dyer Commercial which quickly became recognised as the leading Commercial Property Consultancy in the area.

Alexander Hobbis MRICS joined Dyer Commercial in 1999 and became a partner in 2005. Oliver Dyer MRICS, the fourth generation Dyer, joined in 2009 as a partner. Gary retired from the partnership in 2010. In 2011 Oliver and Alexander changed the name of the firm to Dyer and Hobbis.

The Company continues to be the leading practice of Commercial Property Consultants in 1066 Country. This latest rebrand confirms our commitment to our longstanding heritage in the area and the need to enhance our service with the advantages of modern technology.