MBO at office agency as founders step down

The founders of Canning O’Neill are stepping down from the business following a management buyout.

Directors James Dickinson and John Nash will now take the business forward as new owners following the MBO and will have continuing support from the founders on a consultancy basis.

Established in 1997 and based on Hewitt Street, Canning O’Neill has become a highly-established niche office agency practice, covering Manchester city centre, Salford Quays, South Manchester, Greater Manchester, Warrington and the wider North West region.

The business represents funds, developers, investors and occupiers including Bruntwood, CEG, MediaCity, Orbit, Royal London, and Urban Splash.

James and John have both had a long-standing involvement in Canning O’Neill; James moved to the agency from Savills 20 years ago with John joining the team from Bruntwood in 2013.

They are both supported by Amina Amri, who joined the agency last year as agency surveyor and office manager Helen Hallsworth.

James Dickinson, director at Canning O’Neill said: “The office sector is showing real resilience with many organisations looking for more flexible, modern working environments which attract and retain staff and support their well-being.

“Despite the pandemic, the last five years have been some of the strongest in the company’s history and we look forward to building on the existing client relationships we have as well as bring in new ones under the Canning O’Neill umbrella.”

He added: “We would like to thank Mark and Conrad for their hard work in helping to build the business over the last 25 years. They have in-depth knowledge and experience and will be still working with the company on a consultancy basis.”

Mark Canning and Conrad O’Neill continued: “After building the business from scratch 25 years ago, we are proud to see that the name is going to continue in the safe hands of James and John who have been loyal and dedicated long-standing members of the team. They know the business inside out and it simply couldn’t be in better hands.”

DJH Mitten Clarke are the accountants who advised with Lockett Loveday McMahon the solicitors.