Bristol-based independent commercial property consultancy Williams Gunter Hardwick (WGH) has been acquired by Carter Jonas in a move that gives the national firm a base in the city for the first time.
Following the deal on Wednesday, WGH partners Stuart Williams, Andrew Hardwick and Bridget Hardwick have become partners in Carter Jonas and will relocate from the WGH office Clifton Heights on Triangle West to a new Bristol base. 
They will be joined in the new 5,000 sq ft office – also in Clifton – by staff relocating from Carter Jonas’ Bath office led by partners Philip Marshall and James Stephen. In total, the new office will accommodate around 40 staff.
WGH has been active in the office, industrial and retail markets and has a strong presence across the West Country while its retail team acts for a number of clients on instructions across the UK, including Virgin Media, McDonalds and Ladbrokes Coral.
The firm is involved in a number of major projects in the Bristol area for CEG, St Modwen and Bristol Sport, while it also acts for city-based financial services giant Hargreaves Lansdown.
It has also been responsible for a number of ‘big shed’ acquisitions in the South West and across the UK for clients such as iForce Group, Lidl and Yankee Candles.
WGH director Andrew Hardwick, pictured, said: “We are delighted to join Carter Jonas with which we share the ethos of client service and independence. This is an exciting opportunity for the whole team to work with our new colleagues especially those from Bath. It is a fresh challenge for both teams and we are looking forward to it.” 
Carter Jonas chief executive Mark Granger said the firm had made significant investment in the South West over the past two years, increasing its exposure by opening four new offices while expanding its capabilities and geographical reach across the region.
“The acquisition of Williams Gunter Hardwick is another key milestone in this development,” he said. “It provides us with a unique opportunity to build on the excellent work of our existing team whilst securing a firm foothold in the Bristol market – a long-held ambition for our business.
“Like Carter Jonas, Williams Gunter Hardwick is renowned for its partner-led, joined up, client focussed approach that realises the full potential of a client’s property assets. This ethos complements that of our own, and we look forward to working with Stuart, Andrew, and the rest of the team to build on the scope and reach of our work, to explore opportunities for new and current clients.”
Carter Jonas has grown significantly in recent years with a turnover of £60.8m in the year to April 30, 2018 – a 78% increase in turnover in the past five years.
This is the latest deal in a series of acquisitions by Carter Jonas. Most recently the firm acquired Kemp & Kemp, an Oxfordshire planning and development consultancy. This followed the acquisition of New Square Holdings that included Cambridge-based commercial and planning consultancy Januarys.
Carter Jonas said it would continue to have a major presence in Bath city centre, where its office is being reconfigured for its residential sales, lettings and new homes teams as well as providing the commercial, rural, planning & development teams with co-working space.
