Member Article

Vail Williams continues growth trail with acquisition of general rating division of Ruddle Merz.

Specialist property advisers, Vail Williams, has strengthened its business rates division with the acquisition of the general rating division of Ruddle Merz (RM).

The acquisition, which comes just 12 months on from that of Bisset Moffatt Hill (BMH), further strengthens Vail Williams’ business rates advice team, which now comprises over 20 people based across the firm’s offices in the Midlands and south of England.

The deal comes on the back of a successful financial year for Vail Williams which, one year into a three year business plan under new Managing Partner Matthew Samuel-Camps, has seen further positive progress towards realising its ambitious growth plan.

The acquisition, which completed on 31st May, significantly bolsters Vail Williams’ business rates advice in the critical months following April’s business rates Revaluation.

Speaking of the deal, Matthew Samuel-Camps, Managing Partner at Vail Williams, said: “We are delighted to announce that the general rating division of RM is joining Vail Williams. The business enjoys an excellent national reputation, and their team will play a significant role in the continued growth, not only of our business rates work, but of our wider business too.”

“One year in to our three year business development plan, I am pleased to report positive growth in line with expectations, and we hope to continue this trend as we seek opportunities to work with more like-minded businesses such as RM and BMH.”

Simon Moffatt, Head of Business Rates at Vail Williams, added: “By combining the skills and experience of three rating departments from Vail Williams, BMH and the general rating division of RM, we believe that we are best placed to provide the expert business rates advice that our clients need.”

“I’ve known the general rating team at RM for many years. They are high quality advisers with a great reputation, so I am delighted they have joined us. We’re very much looking forward to working with them over the months to come.”

Three of the team, headed by Sarah Davey, will relocate to Vail Williams’ London office. The remaining three staff, headed by Nick Sercombe, will move to the firm’s Birmingham office which relocated to larger premises in May to accommodate recent growth.

Nick Sercombe, Director of Surveying at RM, concluded: “We’re pleased to be bringing our experience and business rates expertise to complement the existing offering at Vail Williams. “This is an incredibly important time for occupiers, so we are delighted to be able to work to provide clients with the expert business rates advice they need, supported by the wider infrastructure of the Vail Williams business.”

The Power Industry Rates division of Ruddle Merz does not form part of the acquisition.

For more information about Vail Williams LLP, please visit www.vailwilliams.com

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