Two independent property consultancies — operating 18 offices between them — have changed hands in two separate deals.
Maxwell Brown Surveyors (MBS), which employs eight people at its Reigate, Crawley, Leatherhead, Kings Hill and Croydon offices, has been acquired by the Altus Group. One of Canada’s real estate giants, the firm already has 2,300 worldwide staff in North America, Europe and Asia Pacific.
With established clients from the institutional sector, corporate property owners and developers, MBS’s entire workforce will transfer to the Altus Group’s global property tax business unit and will be integrated with Altus Edwin Hill in the UK.
“Maxwell Brown’s 32-year track record serving the UK market, combined with the expertise of its professionals, strengthens our capability to serve the UK market, where we see opportunities for further growth,” explained Altus Group chief executive, Robert Courteau.
“London is one of the most important and strategic real estate markets globally and extending our depth of expertise to a wider area of London is consistent with our strategy,” he added.
In a joint statement, MBS co-owners, Nick Woodman and Jonathan Broome, said: “Joining the Altus Group has a number of strategic benefits for our clients, who increasingly require fully integrated real estate solutions.
“Altus Group’s global scale, complementary advisory services and innovative software and data solutions will enhance our ability to serve our clients.
“We also look forward to working closely with Altus Group’s UK regional offices to provide a comprehensive service throughout the London and South East property market,” they added.
In a separate transaction, the 175-year-old property consultancy Bidwells has been acquired by Oxford-based Meeson Williams Phillips (MWP). The takeover will allow the historic firm to “significantly” increase its commercial and planning capability.
For MWP, David Williams commented: “As a team, we all felt there was an excellent synergy between our two firms, in terms of both culture and ambition and we believe the only changes our existing clients will see are positive ones, such as the enhancement of services.”
The merger, which includes Bidwells’ 13 offices across England and Scotland, has created one of the largest multi-disciplined property consultancies headquartered in Oxford.
“It was clear to us from the outset that Meeson Williams Phillips is at the heart of Oxfordshire’s economic growth,” said Richard Skeates, head of Bidwells’ Oxford office.
“Joining forces would not only benefit our clients — in terms of access to more senior commercial and planning counsel — but it would also help us play a part in helping Oxford’s business community achieve its goals.”
