Midlands property consultants to merge
TWO Midlands property firms will merge their businesses from July.
Property consultants Phoenix Beard and GBR will become GBR Phoenix Beard and create one of the largest independent real estate service companies.
The merger comes just two months after accountants Deloitte and property consultant Drivers Jonas merged to become Drivers Jonas Deloitte, a 700-strong specialist real estate advisory arm of Deloitte.
Phoenix Beard was established over 45 years ago, has bases in Birmingham and London and its 65-strong staff act regionally and nationally for landlords, occupiers, investors and developers.
Its clients include Standard Life Investments, Halfords, Criterion Capital, Birmingham Science Park Aston and Birmingham International Airport.
GBR was founded in September 2003 and employs eight staff at its offices in Victoria Square, Birmingham.
It focuses on investment agency and office leasing and the team will relocate to Phoenix Beard’s base in Newhall Street, Birmingham, when the merger is completed.
Simon Farrant, Phoenix Beard’s MD will become managing director of GBR Phoenix Beard.
He said: “I am very excited at the prospect of our two respective firms coming together.
“We look forward to working with the whole GBR team to maximise potential for both clients and staff alike.
“Our strengths complement each other and make for a very dynamic and enterprising future.
“It was key that there were no losers in this union and I am pleased to say that we all believe that we will be stronger and more resilient as a result.”
GBR director and co-founder Simon Robinson added: “The synergies in combining our two businesses are immense and there is a unique business fit between us.
“The merger will bring exciting opportunities and new challenges. I am confident that we will be able to achieve our ambitions by continuing to invest in teamwork, excellence in service and providing commercially focussed property advice.”
Mark Anslow of BDO and Alastair Peet of Shoosmiths advised both parties on the merger.
