Trio go West as consultant market shows signs of consolidation

Three QS firms, including AYH, have revealed plans to buy practices in the west of the UK. In this latest sign of growing consolidation in the cost consultancy market, AYH said it was looking for an acquisition target in Bristol. This follows the firm's merger in January with Edinburgh consultant Summerfield Robb Clark, a PM and QS company with around 30 staff and a £2m turnover.

AYH deputy chairman Kevin Cooke said the firm planned "more acquisitions around the country to get into new regions and sectors". He hinted that the firm could buy a company with expertise in the nuclear market and further firms in Scotland.

Meanwhile DBK Back is close to buying a small QS company in the Southwest and Boxall Sayer is planning to open offices in the West Country and Midlands.

DBK is in talks with several companies in Bristol and Cardiff. Duncan Berry, director of the Birmingham-headquartered firm, said he was looking for a practice of up to 20 staff. The acquisition would be aimed at bolstering DBK Back's existing presence in the region.

Boxall's chairman Clive Sayer said he was looking at either acquiring a practice or "opening up cold" in the West, mostly likely in Bristol or Exeter.

In the Midlands the firm plans to open a branch in either Birmingham or Nottingham. Last year Boxall Sayer acquired small London based QS Ash Preston.

We would like to hire the number two in a big firm

Clive Sayer, chariman, Boxall Sayer

Sayer said he was scouring the regional market for a key person to run the office. "We would like to hire the number two in a big firm who feels that if he stays where he is he'll never be number one," Sayer explained.

He predicted that the QS market would split into two distinct professions, one focused on traditional QSing and detailed measurement and the other concentrating on strategic consultancy and global costs.

Boxall Sayer, which has over 50 staff, is also planning to boost its facilities management and risk management services, which Sayer said were becoming more in demand as clients became increasingly aware of whole life costs.

Boxall Sayer won the best all round QS gong in last year's inaugural QS News Awards. The small firm beat off competition from Gardiner & Theobald, Faithful+Gould and Turner & Townsend.

Boxall's clients include Southampton Football Club, Surrey County Council, Somerset House and St Albans Cathedral. It recently completed the Rossmore Community Library and learning Centre in Poole.