Professionals: BDO; Grant Thornton; Lodders

ADVISORS at BDO in Birmingham have acted on a deal in the landscape gardening sector.

The firm advised the shareholders of Quadron Services on its disposal to Idverde.  

Following the acquisition of Coventry-based The Landscape Group in March last year, in which BDO also advised, this second acquisition takes Idverde’s turnover in the UK to £90m and creates a business with 1,600 staff.  

The transaction strengthens Idverde’s geographical network in the UK and supports its commercial position in key locations including Greater London and Birmingham.

Satvir Bungar, head of facilities management and M&A director at BDO, said: “Less than one year ago, we advised TLG on its sale to the Idverde group and we are very pleased with the follow-on sale of Quadron into this group.

“It represents a great strategic fit in areas such as greater geographical coverage, the sharing of best-practice and technology.

“We believe that purchaser sentiment into public sector outsourced business models has improved following the 2015 election outcome, particularly for businesses like Quadron that are widely-respected for the quality of its offer and trusted by many of the UK’s largest local authorities.”

He said the company’s reputation for the quality of its services had also been enhanced through the merger.

The Quadron acquisition is the latest in Idverde’s UK and European growth strategy. It is backed by the significant resources of Paris-based private equity investor Chequers Capital.

All the Quadron senior management team will remain in key positions in the newly consolidated structure.

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AIM-LISTED Victoria PLC, the international designers, manufacturers and distributors of innovative floor coverings, has appointed Grant Thornton in Birmingham as its auditor and tax adviser.

Victoria, which is headquartered in Kidderminster, has operations in the UK and Australia and serves a wide range of customers from independent retailers to larger retail businesses such as Carpetright.

Birmingham-based audit partner David White will lead the Grant Thornton team working with Victoria, alongside David Hillan, head of corporate tax and Birmingham practice leader.

Mr White said: “Over recent years we have been developing a relationship with Victoria as well as various entities which have been acquired by the group, so it is great to be able to build on and enhance that relationship even further. In addition to the Birmingham team, we’ll also work closely with our audit, tax and advisory colleagues in Manchester and Leeds, as well as Grant Thornton in Australia.”

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LAW firm Lodders has appointed two paralegals and offered a paralegal a formal training contract.

It has appointed Ravinder Heer and Scott Parmenter as paralegals in its real estate team, whilst Lauren Pearson has been offered a formal training contract after 18 months as a paralegal at the firm.

Ms Pearson will be replaced by Ms Heer, who will work directly with partner Alastair Frew. Mr Frew works with local and national house builders, specialist commercial developers and private investors and is a members of Lodders’ HS2 advisory group.

Mr Parmenter will support Steven Baker, a partner in the business property team in Lodders’ commercial property department.

Martin Green, Lodders’ senior partner, said: “Lodders has a reputation as a progressive law firm and supporting new entrants to the profession and their professional development, both ‘on the job’ and with their qualifications, is at its heart.”
 
Lodders Solicitors is based in Stratford upon Avon, Cheltenham and Henley in Arden.