GVA Grimley will take over niche City practice Chapman Swabey with effect from 4 October 2004, it has been confirmed.
The five existing partners at Chapman Swabey will join GVA Grimley as full partners and will operate as GVA Chapman Swabey from GVA Grimley’s City offices at 25 Bucklersbury, EC4.
GVA Grimley chief executive Michael Corbett, said: “This is a strategic and executed move by the firm to invest in its central London presence. We have been searching for a firm that would match our requirements in the City market and Chapman Swabey complements our plans for this.”
Founded in 1993 by original Chapman Swabey partners Nick Swabey, Tony Joyce and Roger Lown, the firm was later joined by Stephen Bennett and Angus Walker.
The team will join GVA Grimley’s City offices team, working across all aspects of the market including lettings and acquisitions, investment and development, rent reviews, rating, professional services and strategic advice.
Chapman Swabey’s client list includes HSBC, GE Capital Corporation, Legal & General, Land Securities and British Land.
Nick Swabey said the deal would give both firms “the opportunity to expand our respective client contacts”.
The merger is part of an ongoing expansion programme by GVA Grimley, following its merger with West End agency Saxon Law in May 2003 and the acquisition in November of specialist firm, Second London Wall Project Management.
References: EGi News 29/09/04
