This week GVA exchanged contracts with Humberts Leisure, the leading UK golf and leisure property specialist, to acquire the business. GVA will complete the acquisition of the business later this month, creating one of the UK’s strongest leisure offers.
The new leisure unit, to be named GVA Humberts Leisure, will bring together the specialist leisure advisory expertise of Humberts Leisure, GVA’s existing hotels and leisure capability and the resources and national network of one of the UK’s leading property consultants.
This strategic acquisition marks a major statement of intent by GVA, currently the seventh largest property advisor in the country, to establish the company as one of the UK’s leading leisure consultants, with in depth specialist expertise across all leisure sectors.
GVA’s existing Hotels & Leisure team, led by James Williamson and Ian Thompson, is particularly focused on hotels, so the acquisition will allow the company to effectively tap into the wider UK leisure sector. This will include pubs and licensed property, hotels, general leisure, holiday property and caravan parks, golf courses, sports complexes and venues, urban leisure, water-based leisure, visitor enterprises and institutional property.
Rob Bould, Chief Executive of GVA, comments: “We’re delighted to confirm our commitment to acquire such a prestigious business as Humberts Leisure. At this stage in the economic cycle, this is a first class acquisition of what is undoubtedly one of the country’s leading specialists in its field, which builds on the hard work and determination of our existing team. It also illustrates our leading contra-cyclical approach to gaining market share through the acquisition of a robust business ready for further expansion.
“The move introduces a number of highly impressive specialist leisure chartered surveyors, planners and consultants to further supplement our existing team. The leisure sector requires a highly specialised skills set and it is important to us that we can deliver to our clients the best possible advice in these challenging times.”
John Anderson, Executive Chairman of Humberts Leisure comments: “We’re delighted to have agreed the merger with GVA as this provides us with a strong platform from which to drive our growth strategy. Integration of the two complementary leisure teams is a tremendous enhancement to our national leisure service.”
Ben Allen, Director HLL Humberts Leisure and golf property specialist, said: “The formation of GVA Humberts Leisure is very good news for us and our clients. Our specialist golf and leisure sector skills plus the strength of GVA’s national network of offices combine to create a very powerful force. Our offering and service to golf sector clients will undoubtedly be enhanced by this merger.”
GVA www.gva.co.uk
Humberts Leisure www.humberts-leisure.com