Harris Lamb’s acquisition aims to boost its ratings

PROPERTY consultancy Harris Lamb has moved into the East Midlands after it acquired the rating team from Humberts in Nottingham.

It is the second deal this summer after it bought Worcester-based planning specialists Malcolm Scott Consultants in May, adding to its existing offices in Birmingham and Stoke-on-Trent. 

“This acquisition strengthens our existing rating team enormously,” said Neil Harris, director at Harris Lamb. 

“With the Revaluation 2017 coming into force early next year, and much movement within the business rates market over the coming months, we anticipate the next 12 months to be incredibly busy for the team, so securing additional specialist expertise and resource, as well as cementing our foothold across the Midlands as a whole, was a very appealing opportunity.”

Humberts has only two of its 20 offices north of Nottingham and the rating team became available after a review of its East Midlands operation. 

Ian Westerling, Humberts’ managing director, said: “The agreement with Harris Lamb suited both parties and we are delighted with the outcome. This strategic decision has no impact on our residential business in the region, or our flourishing Commercial Rating business in the south.”  

The Humberts rating office and the team based there will rebrand as Harris Lamb.