Pictured above: Ian Baker from Martineau, Steve Lloyd from RASE and Chantrey Vellacott DFK's Paul Fenner and Craig Povey

Two leading professional firms have been praised in the wake of a major deal for the Midlands.

The future of Stoneleigh Park - home of the Royal Agricultural Society of England (RASE) - has been secured after attracting up to £50 million of investment over the next decade.

RASE has granted a lease on its 1,000 acre site under arrangements which will see the site managed by LaSalle Investment Management and the potential for up to £50 million invested in the development before 2020.

The national charity was advised by the Birmingham office of accountants Chantrey Vellacott DFK and lawyers Martineau.

Steve Lloyd, Financial Director of RASE, said both firms had been key to securing the investment.

"Both were essential in getting us over the line. We have worked with Chantrey Vellacott and Martineau for a year or so and both gave us first rate advice," he said. 

"There was a range of advice. Because we are a charity with volunteer trustees we have to be careful to ensure that they are well protected from a compliance point of view.

"This is a fresh start for Stoneleigh Park. It means that the trustees will not be tied up primarily with property issues but with the core activities of the charity.

"It was very important that we could pull in the expertise such a large deal required and very good for the region that we found it in our region."

Paul Fenner, a partner at Chantrey Vellacott DFK which has 10 offices across the UK, said the future of Stoneleigh was vital for the area.

"Stoneleigh is a real asset to the region both in terms as an economic driver and from a reputational point of view," he said. 

"This was a complex and lengthy deal to put together and it was absolutely key for the future of RASE. 

"It is a great result for all parties and for the region."

Fenner and Craig Povey acted for Chantrey Vellacott DFK while Ian Baker represented Martineau and helped coordinate all of the parties involved to a successful deal completion.

Chantrey Vellacott DFK has its Birmingham offices on the Hagley Road and is an independent member firm of DFK International, an association of independent accountancy firms and business advisers. DFK International is ranked amongst the top 10 global accountancy associations and consists of more than 300 offices in almost 100 countries.