One of the UK’s fastest growing property consultancies has announced it is firmly on the acquisition trail.
CPBigwood, which was itself born of a merger between Bigwood and Curry & Partners in June 2011, is particularly seeking discussions with established property management and auction businesses.
CPBigwood is a top ten UK auction house and its residential service charge management business is also in the country’s top ten.
Senior partner Rory Daly said: “What is now known as CPBigwood has its roots as far back as 1854 and has grown to become one of the largest agencies offering the complete property service outside of the south east.
“We marked the industry’s card in 2012 with our decision to move into the East Midlands and also establish a foothold in London. Both decisions have paid off handsomely with our Leicestershire operation doubling its floorspace because of growth and instructions coming through strongly from London.
“As a business we have been growing steadily, despite the downturn, based on the cornerstones of property management and our burgeoning auction business – now the largest auction house outside of London.
“It is in these areas that we see potential to prompt discussions with acquisition targets,” he said.
He pointed out that many principals and senior partners, many of them founding partners of established businesses, were seeking an exit route as they considered retirement.
“We are in active discussion with a number of such businesses and we are optimistic about making our first announcement in the autumn,” he said.
“Our door is always open and it may be that a tapered succession plan is just the route to retirement that suits both parties.”
CPBigwood is the child of a lineage that stretches into the mid part of the 19th century with names like Edwards Son & Bigwood, Edwards Bigwood & Bewley, Collier Bigwood & Bewlay in the family tree.
Latterly names like Leeson Son & Hackett, Cecil Cariss & Son, Robert Martin & Associates, Thomas Pinson & Sons, Smith Balla and Peter Checkley & Co have been incorporated into the business.
“I think it is fair to say that we have a pedigree and a history of mergers and acquisitions, said Mr Daly.