Two big-hitters from Birmingham’s property scene have decided to go it alone after a couple of years consulting for a city agency.

Peter Burford and Julian Shellard have set up Shellard Burford Consultants which will advise companies and individuals with property investment portfolios, land banks and development portfolios.

The pair have known each other for more than 30 years and latterly worked together for two years as consultants to the Birmingham office of Lambert Smith Hampton.

Mr Shellard was previously managing director of CBRE regions, managing a business of more than 400 surveyors throughout the UK.

He was responsible for establishing the original CBRE office in Birmingham, having been in London for nearly 20 years. In Birmingham, Mr Shellard advised on Brindleyplace, Victoria Square House, 125 Colmore Row, Curzon Park and the redevelopment of Snowhill.

Mr Burford continues to act for a number of companies throughout the Midlands, having had a successful record of delivering major development schemes for the last 25 years.

Among those he has accommodated are Tesco, BBC Transmissions, ICL, Severn Trent, Yorkshire Bank, Natwest Bank, British Aerospace and Aga. He led Waterlinks plc as chief executive and has held numerous local appointments in charity and advisory work.

Shellard Burford will operate from Oxford, Birmingham and London.

Mr Shellard said: “Our services will be tailored to those clients who require original thinking and innovative solutions, and we also anticipate being involved in business re-engineering advice in these rapidly changing times.”

Mr Burford added: “Julian and I have enjoyed working together over the last two years and it makes obvious sense to combine our extensive contacts and experiences for the benefit of those companies in need of a confidential and dedicated service.”