Property consultancy King Sturge yesterday confirmed it had successfully completed the acquisition of surveying firm Bache Treharne to form what is claimed to be the largest plant and machinery business in the UK.
Twenty nine staff employed by Bache Treharne in the firm's offices in Birmingham, London and Leeds will transfer to King Sturge's operations in the three cities, while Peter Bache, who headed up Bache Treharne, will become a partner of King Sturge with a national remit, spending time mainly in London and Birmingham.
A well-known and highly regarded adviser in the UK insolvency market, Mr Bache has provided assistance to a number of major UK banks and insolvency practitioners, included high-profile cases such as MG Rover, Metro-net, Enron and Arrows Formula 1 team.
King Sturge has previously acted for the administrators of The Gadget Shop, Kwik Save and is currently engaged on a number of disposals for the administrators of shoe chain Dolcis.
Mark Stupples, head of consultancy at King Sturge, said: "Peter will add vast experience and profile to our services both within the UK and into continental Europe.
"Together with our existing teams led by Peter Singleton and Mike Hanson on plant and machinery, and Ian Cornock on property, we will be able to provide a one-stop-shop for clients to deal with all their assets in both the normal course of business or in recovery situations."
Mr Bache added: "The transfer of the staff and business of Bache Treharne into King Sturge provides a platform for a further growth in the collective business. We will be the leading firm in the UK providing asset-based solutions on both property and plant and machinery."
The largest presence is in Birmingham. Ian Cornock, managing partner of King Sturge Birmingham, said: "The two businesses complement each other and will allow us to strengthen our relationships with mutual clients as well as increasing our client base.
"Furthermore, the merged entity will be able to offer a dedicated business recovery team."
