GVA agrees deal for Humberts Leisure

HOTEL and leisure specialist Humberts Leisure, which has a substantial office in Skipton, is to be acquired by property consultancy GVA.

The deal, which is expected to complete at the end of May, will lead to the creation of a new hotels and leisure division in GVA’s valuation services team.

The team will be branded GVA Humberts Leisure.

GVA, which has a major office in Leeds, hopes the acquisition of the 30-strong Humberts Leisure operation will allow the company to tap into the wider UK leisure sector.

It is also understood that the deal will allow the two firms to take advantage of more distressed hotel and leisure assets in the coming year.

Rob Bould, chief executive of GVA, said: “At this stage in the economic cycle, this is a first class acquisition of what is undoubtedly one of the country’s leading specialists in its field, which builds on the hard work and determination of our existing team.

“It also illustrates our leading contra-cyclical approach to gaining market share through the acquisition of a robust business ready for further expansion.

“The move introduces a number of highly impressive specialist leisure chartered surveyors, planners and consultants to further supplement our existing team. The leisure sector requires a highly specialised skills set and it is important to us that we can deliver to our clients the best possible advice in these challenging times.”

John Anderson, executive chairman of Humberts Leisure, added: “Integration of the two complementary leisure teams is a tremendous enhancement to our national leisure service.”

Mr Anderson, is a consultant based at Humbert Leisure’s office at Broughton Hall, Skipton, and works alongside specialists in areas including general leisure, pubs and licensed property, holiday property and caravan parks and planning.

Humberts Leisure, which has five offices across the country, is 100% owned by its management.