WT Gunson acquires Kershaw

The boutique commercial property agency has bought building consultancy Kershaw Surveyors, bolstering the range of professional services it provides and taking the number of employees to 18.

Manchester-based WT Gunson has three equity partners – head of agency Neale Sayle, head of property management Lauren Dodd, and head of professional services Dominic Stanger.

Under the deal, the value of which was not disclosed, the trio will become directors and owners of Kershaw Surveyors. Kershaw’s head of building consultancy Mark Lee will continue to head up the department under its the new ownership, with two other members of his team including chartered building engineer Kevin Hill.

Kershaw Surveyors, established in 1983 by John Kershaw, is also based in Manchester but will now move into WT Gunson’s office at No 1 King Street following the acquisition.

The building consultancy department will offer a range of traditional building surveying services including, dilapidations, building surveys, contract administration, expert witness and project consultancy services.

Mark Lee has joined WT Gunson

Sayle said: “This is an exciting opportunity and will complement our already strong property management, agency and professional services departments and enable us to offer a complete property service for clients.

“Kershaw Surveyors has a strong reputation in the Manchester and North West property market and has brought with it an enviable client base.

“Both Mark Lee and Kevin Hill will be invaluable members of our team as the business continues to grow. Despite the pandemic, WT Gunson has continued to perform well and together with this new offering remains optimistic about the future.”

Lee added: “I am delighted to be joining WT Gunson and am excited to assist with the growth of such an established Manchester practice with an excellent reputation.”

WT Gunson sold Manchester’s Indemnity House, the former home of the YMCA, to an undisclosed private investor for £1.65m last December.