Property services business announces acquisition
Manchester-based property services consultancy Walker Sime has acquired WCP Associates, the independent chartered quantity surveying and project management business, for an undisclosed sum.
WCP, based in Whitefield, Greater Manchester, advises blue chip developers such as Network Space and has delivered some of the region’s most high-profile projects, including Surf Snowdonia in the Conway valley.
It has also advised the national network of OnSide Youth Zones since inception.
“We’re really pleased to get the deal done and to welcome some excellent new colleagues into the business,” said Walker Sime founder Des Walker.
“It’s great news for our clients, too, and will ensure that we continue to develop Walker Sime into one of the UK’s best independent property consultancies.”
WCP director Robert Seger added: “Walker Sime saw this as a tremendous long-term opportunity to capitalise on the wealth of experience and synergies of both businesses and we’re looking forward to joining the team of one of Manchester’s leading construction consultancies.
“There’s a really strong cultural fit and a great chemistry and this felt like the next logical step in our development.
“Our clients will enjoy a greater depth of resource and additional services whilst our staff will benefit from a wider range of career opportunities.”
The deal takes Walker Sime’s headcount to 91 across three offices in Manchester, Liverpool and Leeds.
Core services include quantity surveying, project management, dispute resolution, commercial management, CDM consultancy and bills of quantities.
The acquisition is the latest step in Walker Sime’s programme to expand and future-proof the business and follows a series of internal promotions, including the appointment of Duncan Firth as managing director and Mark Parker as head of the company’s expanding project management division.
All WCP staff are to transfer over to Walker Sime and will move into the company’s headquarters in Trafford Park in due course.
Current company-wide projects include advising Peel on the delivery of its Liverpool Waters masterplan, Trilogy Real Estate on the redevelopment of Manchester’s Great Northern Warehouse, and Leeds Bradford Airport on its estate management programme.
Pannone advised Walker Sime on the transaction. LLM acted for WCP.
