GVA Grimley is to set up a Liverpool office after buying the surveying business of sole practitioner David Sayer.
Sayer, a former equity partner of Liverpool-based Edmund Kirby, will lead GVA Grimley’s operation in the city.
GVA is the latest national surveying firm to take an interest in Liverpool, which has traditionally been dominated by local players.
Last year, Knight Frank opened an office in Liverpool, while King Sturge and CB Richard Ellis have longer-established operations there.
GVA aims to open the office in April, and plans to have a team of 10 in Liverpool by mid-2007.
Michael Corbett, chief executive of GVA Grimley, said: “The opening of a Liverpool office has been a very easy decision for us in view of the business we are already doing in the region.
“The firm has very strong roots in the UK regions and especially in the North.”
Sayer said: “I have established a large client base and this is a fantastic opportunity to grow from that foundation.
“GVA’s depth of resources and experience, and the level of activity in the city, makes the timing perfect.”
GVA’s existing Liverpool instructions include English Cities Fund’s 350,000 sq ft St Paul’s Square on Old Hall Street and Mersey Docks & Harbour Company’s Princes Dock.
The firm is retained by Liverpool city council on a number of strategic projects and is advising English Partnerships on Kings Waterfront.
Its other Liverpool clients include Urban Splash and the Liverpool Land Development Company.
References: EGi News 08/02/05
