Ceres Group to merge with property and planning specialist
© Tim Scrivener A rural consultancy and its property division are joining forces with a planning specialist in a move designed to strengthen its position in the development sector.
Ceres Group, an umbrella business for Ceres Rural and Ceres Property, announced on 9 May that it is to merge with Frazer Halls Associates.
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Charlie Ireland, managing partner at Ceres Group, said this would enable the firm to provide independent planning advice to its clients, including for developments and diversifications in the emerging natural capital markets.
“Being able to offer that advice fits into the changes we are seeing in the rural market at the moment, with the changes in the subsidy system,” he said.
The merger will also allow growth within the business, which predominately has clients in southern England.
John McLarty, of Ceres Group, who will sit on the newly formed management board, said: “The merger with Frazer Halls Associates not only enables us to offer clients a more thorough service provision, it also prepares the business for further expansion, facilitating the growth through the added specialisms and the individual partners and consultants brought to the team.”
The merger process is currently under way and will be completed on 21 May 2023.
Mr McLarty and Mr Ireland will be joined on the new management board by Richard Means and Will Gemmill of Ceres Group, and Iain Halls and Paul Fosh of Frazer Halls Associates, with Shaun Spalding as financial director.