Pictured above: CP Bigwood director Ian Tudor (centre) with new arrivals Steven Bott (left) and Stuart Rose 

CP Bigwood, the new independent agency created from the merger of Bigwood and Curry & Partners, has announced its first big signing.

The firm has put down a marker on its ambitions for growth with the arrival of Stuart Rose from GVA - the former GVA Grimley - to bolster CP Bigwood's expanding commercial agency department.

Steven Bott has also joined as a graduate surveyor within the agency department.

Welcoming them, CP Bigwood director Ian Tudor said: "These are very significant new additions to the team.

"Stuart is an experienced and well respected operator within the retail agency world while Steve has great promise and enthusiasm. I am sure they will hit the ground running. This is further evidence of our determination to drive the business forward."

Earlier this month Bigwood and Curry & Partners, both Birmingham firms of chartered surveyors and property management consultants, came together to create one of the largest independent agencies in the Midlands. The move created an £8 million fee income business with 125 staff.

Stuart Rose said: "It is a very exciting time with CP Bigwood expected to grow quickly into a £10-million plus operation once integration is completed.

"Knowing I was joining such an ambitious and go-ahead firm was a major attraction for me. I will be using my experience and contacts to help realise those ambitions. It remains a challenging market but I have always been up for a challenge."

Stuart was more than four years at GVA where he was part of their Retail Services team in Birmingham, acting on acquisitions and disposals involving the likes of McDonalds, Ladbrokes, Lee Longlands and Wesleyan Assurance . He was previously with King Sturge.

He has also had roles at Donaldsons and Hereford & Worcester County Council.

Steve Bott will be involved across the commercial sector assisting in the acquisition and disposal of freehold and leasehold properties.

After attending Solihull School, he graduated in 2007 from Nottingham Trent University and recently completed an MSc in Real Estate Management at Birmingham City University.

"I am very pleased to be joining CP Bigwood," said Steve "It is a great opportunity for me and I intend to grasp it."

During his MSc studies he was gaining experience, working with both Bigwood and Oakmoor Estates.

Ian Tudor added: "The commercial property market is improving and we intend to be very positive in our approach going forward, attracting the right calibre of agent in each of the main sectors and, Stuart, supported by Steve, are just the sort of recruits we need to press ahead with our expansion."

For more information about CP Bigwood please visit their website here: www.bigwood.uk.com