Two former senior employees at Shepherds have launched their own surveying practice.

Caroline Monk, previously head of building consultancy at Shepherd Surveyors and Simon Munson, formerly director of surveying, have launched Urban Green LLP.

The new surveying practice is based in Newhall Street in Birmingham and London and will provide a range of professional and building surveying services to the commercial property sector.

Ms Monk said: “It was extremely important for us to be based in Birmingham and fundamental to our business strategy.

“As the UK’s second largest city Birmingham provides us with a number of unique business opportunities.

“Having lived and worked here for a number of years I am eager to further develop the relationships we have already forged.

“Birmingham is both vibrant and friendly and we are looking forward to establishing our presence.

“We are fully aware of the current demands of a difficult market, but as a small and dynamic practice we have the ability to provide our clients with a high quality bespoke service.

“The West Midlands provides a fantastic setting for Urban Green and we see 2010 as a very exciting time in which to develop and grow our business here in Birmingham.”