SIGNIFICANT CONSULTANCY MERGER REAPS REWARDS FOUR MONTHS ON

NATIONAL real estate consultancy, Naismiths, and leading independent construction and property consultancy, Edmond Shipway, are already seeing the benefits from their strategic partnership, which was first announced this spring. Four months into the merger, the group’s chief executive, Ben Harwood, has shared promising developments, highlighting the positive impact on both companies and their clients.

The partnership, designed to expand the service offering and regional presence of both firms, has already resulted in significant growth. “The merger has effectively doubled the size of our operations,” Ben said. “We are now better positioned than ever to meet the evolving needs of our clients in a rapidly changing industry.

“The decision to partner was driven by the potential to add real value to both our companies’ clients and internal teams. Even at this early stage, we’re seeing the benefits of our combined expertise and resources. Although both businesses share similar skill sets, the range of services we can now offer—and where we can offer them—has expanded substantially.”

One of the key advantages of the partnership is the complementary services each firm brings to the table. Naismiths’ well-established building surveying service is now available to Edmond Shipway’s clients, while Naismiths is benefiting from Edmond Shipway’s extensive experience in the mechanical and electrical (M&E) sector. Similarly, the expanded geographical reach and sector diversification allows clients to easily access a full suite of resources, ultimately streamlining the process for them.

Ben added: “Importantly for both businesses is the fact that our internal teams are strengthened by the partnership. In a time when the construction sector is experiencing a skills shortage, we’re able to retain and invest in the top talent in the industry with access to a broader talent pool and continue to develop the skills of our current teams. Edmond Shipway has an impressive average service length of 14 years, which is thanks to its trust in the team, and something we want to nurture and expand across the whole group.”

Naismiths Analytics – a platform offering data analysis, visualisation, and benchmarking introduced by Naismiths in 2023 – has been able to double its volume of data available. This enhanced data pool allows for more informed decision-making and provides clients with deeper insights. Plans are underway to integrate this analytics capability into all aspects of Edmond Shipway’s business.

Ben said: “The initial response from clients has been overwhelmingly positive. They now have access to a wider range of knowledgeable professionals and services than ever before. While the first few months have focused on integrating our teams and aligning our operations, the coming months will be dedicated to driving significant growth and further enhancing our service offerings.”