Member Article

FHP celebrates academy valuations milestone

A Midlands-based property consultancy that works on behalf of some of the UK’s leading academy trusts has completed its 500th land and buildings valuation.

FHP has established itself as a market leader in the delivery of specialist valuation services to primary, secondary and sixth form schools converting to academy status.

The firm’s Education Department has overseen the delivery of more than 500 land and buildings valuations since the niche service was launched in 2012.

FHP delivers services to standalone academies and is retained by 35 multi-academy trusts throughout England, including Transform Trust, Staffordshire Universities Academies Trust, John Taylor MAT, St. Ralph Sherwin Catholic MAT, TEAM Education Trust and Nova Education Trust.

Academy schools are state-funded schools in England which are directly funded by central government and independent of local authority control.

As part of the academy conversion process, there is a responsibility for the school or academy trust for financial accounting, that will necessitate obtaining a valuation of the education land and buildings. In addition to the valuation for accounts purposes, a further specialist valuation for insurance purposes is also required.

FHP Director, Cameron Butler said: “We’re proud to have reached the milestone of 500 academy land and buildings valuations. We’ve developed a growing portfolio of clients over the years, including several expanding academy trusts who have chosen FHP to deliver valuation services. A valuation is something that is necessary for the year-end accounts of newly converted academies. We undertake a full inspection and measurement survey of the school and its site and typically arrive at a robust independent opinion of value within ten working days. What’s most pleasing is the positive feedback from clients who regularly praise us for our reliability and quality of service. We’re always available to deal with any issues that arise and regularly liaise with other professional advisors employed by the client, to ensure the process is as seamless as possible.”

Steve Orton, chief financial officer, Nova Education Trust, said: “When working in a challenging and pressured environment, reliability and professionalism are the qualities we look for in any of our contracted services. Over the past few years, FHP has delivered on both of these requirements in every valuation project we have contracted. It is reassuring to know that we have a valuable service that we can trust.”

FHP’s Education Department delivers services to universities, sixth form colleges and academies across England. In particular, the property consultancy has delivered valuation services across the University of Nottingham’s entire property portfolio.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Frank Clarke .