Henry Adams Commercial - General - Chichester, Sussex

Date: 24 Apr 2008

Two leading property firms in the south have launched a joint venture which sees a new commercial force in Chichester, Sussex.

Henry Adams Commercial is the name of the new business after chartered surveyors Henry Adams and commercial property specialist Hughes Ellard joined forces in the cathedral city.

Alex Medhurst, one of the region's best known commercial property agents, will be leading the operation.

He was previously with the development arm of civil engineering group Dean & Dyball near Bournemouth and, prior to that, with national commercial property agency Vail Williams in Southampton.

Henry Adams is a multi-discipline agency, including residential, development land and agriculture, with more than 180 staff and a network of offices across Sussex, Surrey and Hampshire.

Hughes Ellard is a leading independent commercial property agency in Southampton and Portsmouth with 18 staff and two offices in Southampton and Fareham.

The joint venture is owned fifty-fifty by Henry Adams and Hughes Ellard.

Richard Williscroft, Henry Adams' senior partner, said: "We're thrilled with the strategic alliance, which makes sound commercial sense for both parties. We'll be able to utilise Hughes Ellard's expertise for the new market offering.

"What we now have under the Henry Adams Commercial brand is a dynamic joint venture where both Henry Adams and Hughes Ellard have a strong presence from Southampton to Brighton and Selsey to Horsham. It is fantastic news."

Gary Jeffries, Hughes Ellard's managing director, said: "Henry Adams Commercial will focus initially on commercial agency, investment and development work, with the aim of using our commercial expertise to leverage Henry Adams' extensive and quality client base.

"It is important to stress that this is not a takeover in any way by either party but an equal footing business relationship that brings together Henry Adams' large geographical presence with Hughes Ellard's commercial expertise."

Gary added: "Alex Medhurst will be heading up the operation at Chichester and we are delighted to have captured someone of his stature. He will be spearheading the growth of Henry Adams Commercial."