Pictured above: Ian Stringer
Leading UK property consultancy GVA Grimley increased turnover
in its Birmingham office by over £1 million to £20.4
million, in what was also a strong year nationally. The company has
just filed its financial results year ending 30 April 2010 to
Companies House.
In Birmingham, which is where GVA Grimley was founded in 1840,
annual profit increased by over £500,000, delivering a 10 per
cent increase on the previous year. Across all 12 offices in the
UK, the Group's total turnover for the year was £129.5
million, delivering pre-exceptional operating profits of
£18.4 million. This translates to a net profit before tax of
£5.7 million.
Ian Stringer, Regional Senior Director of GVA Grimley's
Birmingham office comments: "Despite a very challenging
recessionary year, the Birmingham office has been able to grow
significantly due to the exceptional results of a number of
departments. There are now 350 people working in our Brindleyplace
office, which is the largest office in the UK aside from the
company's West End headquarters.
"Our Property Management, Property Management Accounts,
Valuation Services and Corporate Recovery teams have demonstrated
very strong growth over the past financial year. The recent
introduction of the Financial Consulting team and Economic and
Social Development team has also brought new specialist services to
our market leading Planning, Development and Regeneration
division."
Earlier this year, GVA Grimley was appointed by the Royal Bank
of Scotland to manage its entire UK occupational portfolio. The
property management accountancy function is being delivered by the
Birmingham office. It was also appointed as planning consultants to
the new Library of Birmingham by Birmingham City Council.
The appointment of Graham Knight - who joined from BNP Paribas -
as a new director in the Rating team has also strengthened the
Birmingham office.
Stephen Brown, Executive Chairman of GVA Grimley said:
"Considering the scale of the economic slowdown we have
experienced, these are highly encouraging results that demonstrate
our very robust and diverse business. Our broad range of service
capabilities have resulted in another strong trading performance.
These impressive results put us in a position of strength to pursue
our corporate business strategy for growth."
The year saw a number of positive changes take place within the
business, including the existing board being strengthened with the
appointment of a new leadership team. Stephen Brown became
Executive Chairman and Rob Bould Chief Executive. Malcolm Whetstone
remained as Managing Director, as did Donald Smith as Financial
Director. Steve Halbert moved to Deputy Chairman.
Nationally, the company also recorded a number of important
milestones including the launch of a new business offer called GVA
Grimley Financial Consulting Ltd - a specialist advisory team
focussing on public / private joint ventures.
With debt restructuring being the most important issue facing
the property market in recent years, GVA Grimley continues to be
well placed with its market leading specialist Corporate Recovery
offer. With one of the most experienced specialist teams in the UK,
the company strives to be regarded as the leading advisor to
lenders and insolvency practitioners.
Following the company's successful ISO 14001 (environmental)
accreditation and ISO 9001 (quality assurance) accreditation, the
business continues to pursue full ISO 27001 (information security)
accreditation.