Property consultancy Harris Lamb has acquired a Nottingham Rating practice as it continues with its quest to strengthen its Midlands-based business.
Harris Lamb, which has offices based in Birmingham, Worcester and Stoke on Trent, has extended its reach into the East Midlands with the purchase of the Rating team from Humberts, based in Regent Street, Nottingham.
Neil Harris, director, said: “At the beginning of 2016 we said that this would be a huge year for us as we looked to grow our business through acquisition for the first time.
“In May, we completed our first, with the purchase of Worcester-based planning specialists Malcolm Scott Consultants, and we’re delighted to secure a firmer foothold within the East Midlands with this deal.
“This acquisition strengthens our existing rating team enormously – with the Revaluation 2017 coming into force early next year, and much movement within the Business Rates market over the coming months, we anticipate the next 12 months to be incredibly busy for the team, so securing additional specialist expertise and resource, as well as cementing our foothold across the Midlands as a whole, was a very appealing opportunity.”
Ian Westerling, Humberts’ Managing Director, commented: “Following a strategic review of our East Midlands operation, we decided that it was in the best interest of our staff and clients that we look to dispose of our Rating business in the Nottingham area. The agreement with Harris Lamb suited both parties and we are delighted with the outcome. This strategic decision has no impact on our residential business in the region, or our flourishing Commercial Rating business in the south.”
The Humberts Rating office and the team based there will be pulled under the Harris Lamb umbrella and rebranded.
Victoria Trafford, director at Humberts, said: “I am delighted to be joining a forward-thinking and ambitious business offering regional and national coverage. My key clients are fully supportive of the move and will continue to work with me and my team at Harris Lamb.
“I am confident that our experience across all market sectors, particularly licensed and leisure specialists will both complement and extend the business’ existing client-base, and I am excited by this next stage in my career and developing new relationships.”
Neil added: “Harris Lamb is now well-appointed throughout the Midlands as a whole, with a full service offering. Victoria and her team have acted all over England and Wales and have an excellent reputation within the East Midlands and beyond.
“Having overseen numerous deals within Derbyshire and Leicestershire over the last year, including achieving planning permission for a crematorium on Green Belt land in Aston on Trent on behalf of Dignity Funerals Ltd, and the sale of a 10-acre land parcel in Chesterfield to Avant Homes, we already have a significant contact base and knowledge of the East Midlands region, which this deal will strengthen further still.”
