About Millfield Estates

A Business Built on Experience

Millfield Estates is a privately owned commercial property investment company and management business specialising in the acquisition, improvement and long-term ownership of industrial, office and retail property across the UK.

Managing three privately owned property portfolios, we combine entrepreneurial thinking with disciplined investment to create places where businesses can prosper and investments can perform.

Whilst our company was incorporated in 1981, the foundations of the business stretch back much further. Our approach has evolved over decades of experience, combining the entrepreneurial spirit on which the business was founded with a disciplined investment philosophy that continues to shape every decision we make today.

Every property is owned with a long-term perspective, actively managed throughout its lifecycle and continually improved to ensure it remains a valuable asset for both our occupiers and the wider portfolio.

Our Story

From Entrepreneurial Beginnings to Long-Term Investment

Millfield Estates has never followed a conventional path.

Our story began in 1963 when Douglas Farnworth established Washing Machines Lancashire Limited following a successful career with Hoover. Through hard work, determination and an entrepreneurial outlook, the business grew into respected national companies including Adboards, Homespares and Unifit.

As those businesses expanded, commercial property naturally became part of the journey. Some acquisitions were operational necessities, while others revealed the long-term investment potential that property could offer. Rather than extracting profits, the business consistently reinvested, acquiring commercial property that would provide stable income and long-term security for future generations.

Millfield Estates was incorporated in 1981, taking its name from Millfield Road in Bolton, where Boundary Industrial Estate formed part of the company’s operations. Early investments included Boundary Industrial Estate, Shifnal Mill and Marine Cottage, establishing the foundations of what would become a diversified commercial property portfolio.

By the mid-1990s the portfolio had grown significantly, but the business recognised that its future would be strengthened by combining entrepreneurial instinct with professional investment expertise.

That moment arrived on 1 September 1997, when Paul Dobson joined the business.

Paul introduced a more disciplined investment strategy, bringing greater focus to acquisitions, asset management and long-term portfolio performance. Rather than changing the values of the business, he refined the way those values were applied, helping transform Millfield Estates into the commercial property investment business it is today.

This partnership between entrepreneurial thinking and professional investment discipline remains one of our greatest strengths.

In 2011, Joshua Turner joined the business after graduating, having already gained experience through school holiday work within the company. Joshua represents the next generation of Millfield Estates, combining the values that have always underpinned the business with a forward-looking approach to development, technology and the changing needs of modern occupiers.

Today, Millfield Estates manages three privately owned property portfolios comprising industrial, office and retail investments across the United Kingdom. While markets continue to evolve, our philosophy remains unchanged: invest carefully, manage proactively and always take a long-term view.

Experienced People. Shared Values.

Every successful property investment business is built on people. Our team combines decades of commercial property experience with financial expertise, entrepreneurial thinking and a shared commitment to responsible ownership.

While each member of the team brings different strengths, we are united by the same objective: creating long-term value through thoughtful investment, proactive management and lasting relationships.

What We Believe

• We believe successful commercial property investment is about far more than acquiring buildings.
• It is about creating long-term value through responsible ownership.
• It is about investing in quality assets and continually improving them throughout their ownership.
• It is about treating occupiers fairly, building relationships based on trust and making decisions that stand the test of time.
• We believe commercial property should provide stability, opportunity and lasting benefit for everyone connected with it.
• These principles have guided Millfield Estates for decades and continue to shape every investment decision we make today.