In a significant strategic expansion, UK business advisory firm FRP Advisory Group has strengthened its foothold in the property sector with the acquisition of a London-headquartered financial services firm.
The deal for Arc & Co, valued at £6.7 million, represents FRP's fifteenth acquisition since it went public in March 2020 and signals a major push into real estate advisory services.
A Strategic Move into Real Estate Advisory
Arc & Co specialises in providing Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) regulated advice to clients within the real estate sector, both in the UK and internationally. The acquisition is designed to broaden FRP's existing capabilities in this high-value market.
As a direct result of the purchase, FRP has announced the launch of its sixth dedicated service pillar: FRP Real Estate Advisory. This new division will aim to help boards, lenders, and advisors create, preserve, and realise value while managing associated risks.
Integrating Talent and Expertise
The integration of Arc & Co's team is a key part of the transaction. Both of the firm's co-founders, Andrew Robinson and Edward Horn-Smith, have joined FRP as partners.
Furthermore, all 18 members of Arc & Co's staff have transferred to FRP, ensuring a seamless move of expertise and client relationships. The financial structure of the deal involved an upfront consideration split between approximately £4.85 million in cash and the issuance of new ordinary shares valued at around £1.8 million.
Leadership Vision for Future Growth
Geoff Rowley, Chief Executive of FRP, emphasised the strategic importance of the move. He stated that launching the real estate advisory pillar brings specialists together to better serve clients with their property requirements.
"We consider this acquisition will allow FRP to deepen relationships across the real estate sector, with increased opportunities for revenue generation across the group," Rowley commented. He also welcomed the Arc & Co team, noting their strong reputation and shared values.
Andrew Robinson, co-founder of Arc & Co, expressed his delight at joining FRP. He highlighted the opportunity to offer a broader range of services to their clients and to leverage FRP's nationwide office network, which includes locations in Bristol, Cardiff, Birmingham, Leeds, Newcastle, and Manchester.
"We are confident that by building upon our shared values of quality and professionalism with FRP we will accelerate our growth," Robinson said. This acquisition follows FRP's purchase of One Advisory Group in May of this year, underscoring the firm's aggressive growth strategy.
