International property advisors GVA Worldwide - the global firm which has its UK roots in Birmingham - has announced its expansion into China.
Founded in 1840 in Birmingham as Grimley & Sons, the property consultancy is now an international firm with more than 80 offices worldwide.
The latest expansion involves GVA Curzon Partners, which has joined the growing business covering China.
No money was involved in the deal which further establishes GVA presence global real estate solutions, following the recent launch of GVA offices in Tel Aviv (GVA Cornerstone) and Mumbai (GVA Intercapitalis).
Malcolm Gloster, regional senior partner at GVA Grimley in Birmingham, said: "GVA Worldwide is a real West Midlands success story. "From our earliest incarnation over 160 years ago, the firm has developed into one of the world's leading property consultancies.
"Our debut on to the increasingly significant Chinese market is proof of GVA's continued evolution and is an indication of the depth and breadth of skills we offer internationally as a firm.
"This expansion of our services in to China comes at a time when Birmingham is increasing its influence in the country by forging trading links with major cities based on its relationship with key investors such as Nanjing Automotive Corporation."
GVA Worldwide is a holding company for all of GVA's affiliated partners, of which GVA Curzon and GVA Grimley - which employs 350 in Birmingham - are two.
GVA Curzon is responsible for Asia, encompassing China, Hong Kong & Macau. Mr Gloster said: "GVA Worldwide members undertake to provide an agreed standard of service for clients and refer business to each other throughout the world.
"The new members in China have joined to expand the geographical range of services provided by GVA Worldwide.
"GVA Grimley's investment is its international team based in London who work with our new partners in China, GVA Curzon, to provide property services for global corporate clients.
"China is important to us because many of our corporate clients are investing there and they need property advice from people they know and trust."
Peter Hill, deputy chairman of GVA Curzon, said: "China represents an excellent opportunity for us for a number of reasons.
"It is a fast-moving economy with over ten per cent GDP per annum and a huge population - 1.2 billion people, with 12 cities of over 12 million people. It's also the nation most favoured for trade by America."
GVA Curzon Partners has eight offices across the People's Republic of China and has a headcount of 171 at present.
The business is fully licensed to provide a comprehensive range of professional real estate consulting services.
Unlike most of the competitors, GVA Curzon Partners is registered as a Wholly Owned Foreign Enterprise (WOFE), and is therefore in a position to provide totally independent advice to its clients.
GVA Curzon Partners currently have over 20 million sq ft of retained property management instructions, operating from offices in Shanghai, Beijing, Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Chengdu, Kunming, and Nanjing.
Terrance Chow, managing director based in Shanghai, said: "With unsurpassed experience and excellent local networks, we offer our clients a highly responsive service."
