A North East architecture practice has acquired a London rival as part of its expansion plans in the capital.
Ryder Architecture, based at Cooper Studios in Newcastle, has snapped up architectural practice Doone Silver Kerr, a company which is involved in major projects around the UK as well as overseas.
The company, which was established 12 years ago, has developed a respected track record in the commercial, residential and hospitality sectors worldwide and is currently involved in schemes including 103 Colmore Row in Birmingham, Stow-Away Hotel and 63 Compton Street in London, and Roppongi Hills in Tokyo.
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Mark Thompson, managing partner at Ryder, said that Doone Silver Kerr’s expertise will bolster Ryder’s existing capability and that the combined team will be moving into a new base in London.
He said: “We are delighted to welcome Doone Silver Kerr to Ryder at a time of growth and success for the practice. This is an exciting and important step in our ambitious long term plans to further strengthen the business.
“Our new colleagues will be a welcome addition to our capability in London as we open the doors to a new, larger base in Fitzrovia.”
All 10 colleagues from Doone Silver Kerr have transferred to Ryder, with partner John Silver retiring from the business, bringing the Ryder team to almost 330 people. The addition to the practice will see a new team formed in London led by director Ross Kerr.
Mr Kerr said: “Doone Silver Kerr are delighted to be joining Ryder Architecture and excited by the opportunity to bring our extensive experience in the commercial, hospitality and residential sectors to the Ryder team and build upon recent successful collaborations between the practices.”
The deal follows on from the acquisition of Newcastle based interior design firm Ward Robinson Design at the end of last year, as part of moves to offer new services to its clients. Ryder also bought London architecture and design firm Haskoll in February.
Ryder Architecture was established in 1953 in Newcastle and has since branched out to have offices in London, Glasgow, Manchester, Liverpool, Hong Kong, Vancouver and Amsterdam.
The company - whose most recent accounts announced turnover rising to £24.3m - is working on a number of key projects in the North East, including an office block for HMRC at Pilgrim’s Quarter in Newcastle, the new Sunderland Eye Infirmary and the operations base for the Dogger Bank at the Port of Tyne.
