CBRE is continuing its agency acquisition spree with the takeover of Oxford-based commercial property agency VSL and Partners.
VSL’s expertise spans offices and industrial, with a particular focus on occupiers in the life sciences and technology sector.
VSL will be integrated into the CBRE UK advisory business and the team will report to Ross Howard, CBRE’s UK markets chief operating officer and managing director of CaMKOx (Cambridge, Milton Keynes and Oxford).
VSL will continue to operate from its existing offices.
Ciaran Bird, CBRE’s divisional president of advisory services and UK chief executive, said: “The acquisition of VSL is part of our strategy to grow our capabilities in the CaMKOx region, encompassing Oxford. This is a highly significant market, centred on one of the fastest-growing economies in the UK, that is seeing increased demand from tech and life sciences occupiers, as well as significant real estate development opportunities.”
VSL director Richard Venables added: “Our team’s detailed market knowledge, combined with CBRE’s national and international resources, will allow us to offer an even more extensive service to our established client base and new customers.”
The deal is CBRE’s second agency acquisition this year. In February, EG revealed that it was buying retail specialist CWM.
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