What Abels does

Abels Moving Services is a privately held UK premium removals and relocation company, founded in 1958 in Watton, Norfolk, and headquartered in the East of England with operational facilities in London, Brandon (Norfolk), Ely (Cambridgeshire) and Potters Bar (Hertfordshire). The business provides end-to-end household, commercial, and specialist relocation services — including UK domestic moves, European and international removals, office and FF&E logistics, museum and fine-art handling, and climate-controlled storage — for high-net-worth residential clients, corporate customers, retailers (e.g., John Lewis, Marks & Spencer, Laura Ashley), and cultural institutions.

The operating model is asset- and labour-intensive: a modern fleet fitted with air-ride suspension and double-skin insulation, purpose-built climate-controlled storage vaults and pods with 24/7 environmental monitoring, museum-grade packing and crating materials, and an in-house Training Academy producing security-cleared specialist crews. Commercial technology is limited to operational tooling — notably an encrypted video survey app (256-bit AES, 2048-bit SSL) for remote pre-move assessment — with no proprietary AI/ML product surface.

Revenue is generated project-by-project through bespoke, itemised quotations following pre-move surveys (in-person or video), spanning survey fees, transport, packing materials, labour, storage duration, and specialist handling. Ancillary revenue streams include MoveProtect liability cover, an international luggage-delivery service priced on volumetric weight, and partner-distributed FX transfer and home-utilities setup services. Distribution is predominantly field-led enterprise sales supported by inside sales via website enquiry forms and phone, with international reach delivered through FIDI network partners in 50+ countries. The firm is debt-free and privately held under long-term ownership, with no disclosed institutional funding. In January 2025 it became the first removals company to be granted His Majesty The King's Royal Warrant.

Name

Abels

Legal name

Abels Moving Services

Website

https://abels.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1958

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Abels Moving Services is a UK premium removals and relocation specialist, founded in 1958, serving high-net-worth residential clients, corporate customers, retailers, and museums through multi-region UK facilities and a FIDI global partner network.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Premium Removals & Relocation Services

NAICS

Used Household and Office Goods Moving (484210), Used Household and Office Goods Moving (48421)

SIC

Services-To Dwellings & Other Buildings (7340), Transportation Services (4700)

akta.pro primary industry

Local Moving for Homes (Single-Family, Townhome) (HSAKAAAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Door-to-Door Household Goods International Moving (HSAKACAA), Antique & Collectible Moving Services (HSAKAEAC), Interstate Specialty Household Moves (Pianos/Antiques/Fine Art/Safes) (HSAKABAJ), Deductible/Waiver Options & Coverage Add-Ons (HSAKANAJ), Commercial Move & Office Equipment Coverage (HSAKANAH)

Keywords

• Premium removal services
• International relocation services
• Commercial office moving
• Fine art logistics
• Climate-controlled storage

Headquarters

HQ city

Ely

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Residential Removals: Home moving services including UK domestic moves, packing, and unpacking. Revenue generated through project-based fees following in-person or video surveys. Quotes itemise services including survey, transport, packing materials, and labour separately.
2. International Removals: Overseas relocation services including export packing, international shipping by sea/air/road, customs clearance, and delivery. Premium pricing for door-to-door service with dedicated project management.
3. Commercial and Business Moves: Office relocations, warehouse moves, FF&E logistics, and business storage services. Phased project work with dedicated move managers and end-to-end project management.
4. Specialist Storage Solutions: Short and long-term storage for furniture, art, antiques, and vehicles. Climate-controlled facilities with collection and delivery services. Revenue from storage duration and handling services.
5. Luggage Delivery Service: International luggage delivery service for smaller shipments and lifestyle purchases. Unit pricing based on weight and dimensions with economy and priority service options.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Abels Moving Services provides premium UK and international household removals, commercial and office relocations, specialist handling for fine art, antiques, and country estates, plus secure storage solutions with climate control. The offering is structured around four pillars—Moving Home (UK domestic), Moving Abroad (international/European), Commercial Moves, and Storage Services—supplemented by professional packing, video surveys, concierge/Personal Assistant support, MoveProtect insurance cover, and luggage delivery. Clients include high-net-worth residential customers, blue-chip corporates, museums, auction houses, and retailers (e.g., John Lewis, Marks & Spencer, Laura Ashley).

Product overview

Abels Moving Services is a premium removals and relocation company offering a comprehensive suite of services organised around four core pillars: Home Removals (UK domestic moves with regional coverage across London, Norfolk, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire, and Hertfordshire), Moving Abroad (international and European relocations), Commercial Moves (business relocations, FF&E logistics, and retail delivery), and Storage Solutions. The portfolio includes specialist services for fine art, antiques, country estates, and museum collections, complemented by add-on services such as Professional Packing, Video Survey, Personal Assistant/Concierge support, MoveProtect insurance, and FX transfer services via partner Lumon. The company positions itself as a high-end, full-service provider with a Royal Warrant, serving private clients, blue-chip businesses, museums, and auction houses.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• MoveProtect: Specialist international removals liability cover and insurance protection service for valuables in transit.
• Please Connect Me

Products and services

• UK Home Removals Comprehensive domestic moving services within the United Kingdom, covering moves from single-bedroom flats to large country houses, with dedicated move managers and pre-move surveys.
• London Removals Premium removal services in London covering Chelsea, Kensington, Mayfair, Westminster, and other distinguished neighbourhoods with discreet, punctual, and expertly managed moves.
• Norfolk Removals Expert relocation solutions across Norfolk including Norwich, Kings Lynn, and North Norfolk towns, with deep local knowledge and specialist handling of fine furniture and antiques.
• Suffolk Removals Professional removal services across Suffolk covering areas including Bury St Edmunds, Felixstowe, Aldeburgh, and Southwold with tailored, stress-free moving solutions.
• Cambridgeshire Removals Expert removals to and from Cambridgeshire serving Cambridge and nearby areas including Ely, Shelford, Market Deeping and surrounding villages.
• Hertfordshire Removals Premium home removals in Hertfordshire covering towns such as Berkhamsted, Harpenden, Radlett, Rickmansworth, St. Albans, and Potters Bar.
• Fine Art & Antique Removals High-value removals for antiques, delicate collections, and valuable items including wine, paintings, books and sculptures, with specialist packing, museum-grade crating, and air-ride transport.
• Country Estate Moves Specialist relocation services for manor houses, estates and heritage properties handling unique challenges including multiple buildings, valuables, heirlooms, and agricultural equipment.
• Bespoke Moving Services Concierge moving services including contractor coordination, pre-move planning, on-the-day practical support, photographic inventories, settling-in services, and dedicated Personal Moving Assistant.
• International Removals Door-to-door international relocation services including overseas move planning, expert packing, customs guidance, and flexible global storage solutions to destinations worldwide.
• European Removals Professional European moving services covering France, Spain, Portugal, Switzerland, Sweden, Norway and beyond, with tailored relocation support and cross-border customs compliance.
• Moving to the UK Comprehensive relocation services for clients moving to the UK from abroad, including import assistance, customs bonded facilities, and destination guidance.
• Luggage Delivery Service Cost-effective international luggage delivery service for smaller shipments, ideal for students, frequent flyers, and those sending belongings ahead, avoiding airline excess baggage fees.
• Business & Commercial Removals Office and commercial relocations with dedicated move managers, end-to-end project management, IT migration, business continuity planning, and sustainable furniture recycling.
• Bespoke FF&E Services Furniture, Fixtures & Equipment logistics including receipt, storage, staged delivery, and white-glove installation for hotels, offices, retail, restaurants, and private developments.
• Business Storage Commercial storage solutions for furniture, archives, stock and equipment with HMRC customs bonded facilities, 24-hour monitoring, and short or long-term options.
• Retail & Home Delivery Services White-glove delivery services for retailers including two-person delivery crews, product assembly, installation, and room placement, serving brands like John Lewis and Marks & Spencer.
• Museum & Art Gallery Removals Specialist museum and gallery relocations with bespoke fine art casing, climate-controlled transport, risk assessments, and museum-grade handling for collections of any size.
• Storage Solutions Secure storage services including furniture storage, art and antique storage, vehicle storage, London storage, short-term and long-term storage, and specialist storage with climate control.
• MoveProtect Liability Cover Specialist removal insurance offering 'new for old' replacement or 'like-for-like' reinstatement options, with inventory-based coverage for high-value and sentimental items.

Quantifiable outcome

• Professional handling ensures items arrive in impeccable state as verified by customer testimonials
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Please Connect MeminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHome utilities setup partnership helping clients arrange essential services including energy, broadband, pay TV, council tax, water, and insurance when moving home. Claims to save over 7 hours of admin and up to £397 annually on bills.
• LUXE Club RetreatsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFF&E services partnership for hospitality sector. Abels provides furniture, fixtures and equipment logistics and installation for boutique and branded hotels.
• Alex GoldsteinminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerReal estate development partnership providing comprehensive FF&E services for property projects including show homes, communal areas, and residential units.
• FIDI (Fédération Internationale des Déménageurs)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal network partnership enabling international relocation services across 50+ countries. Provides vetted partner companies at destination locations, all trained to meet Abels' high standards.
• British Association of Removers (BAR)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry association membership providing access to recognised industry standards, BAR Overseas Group for international moves, and professional network for UK removals.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Bishop's Move: Long-established UK premium removal company offering nationwide residential, commercial and international removals with a sales-led consultant model directly comparable to Abels' HNW proposition.
• White & Company: Premium UK and international removal specialist with a regional branch network, dedicated move managers and high-net-worth focus; competes for the same type of household and corporate relocations as Abels.
• John Mason International: UK-headquartered international removal company with door-to-door global service, FIDI membership and dedicated move coordinators, overlapping Abels' international and European relocation offering.
• Cadogan Tate: UK fine art, antique and high-value residential specialist with climate-controlled transport and storage, museum-grade packing and international capability, closely mirroring Abels' premium specialist offering.

Broad incumbents

• Pickfords: UK's largest and oldest removals brand offering residential, commercial and international services at multiple price points; competes with Abels on premium home moves while serving broader mass-market demand.
• Britannia Movers International: Network of independent UK removers providing domestic, European and international household moving services; competes with Abels primarily in regional moves but at a wider price range.
• Crown Relocations: Global relocation and moving services group serving corporate and private clients across dozens of countries, comparable to Abels' international door-to-door capability at much larger scale.
• Santa Fe Relocation: Global mobility and moving services provider for corporate and private clients with worldwide destination services, matching Abels on international relocations but at significantly broader enterprise scale.

Regional players

• Asian Tigers Group: International relocation and moving specialist with strong Asia-Pacific presence and global network, comparable to Abels for cross-border household moves but with a different geographic centre of gravity.

Emerging players

• MAG Roade Logistics (M.A.G.) Removals & Storage: UK-based removals and storage operator offering domestic and international moves with specialist packing and storage, a regional-scale peer overlapping Abels' core UK home moving service.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/abelsmoving
• Facebookfacebook.com/AbelsMovingServices
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/abels-moving-services
• Instagraminstagram.com/abelsmoves

Compliance14 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Abels