BUSINESS INSIGHT
UNW advises Rook Matthews Sayer on Connells Group deal North East estate agency becomes part of nationwide property group North East estate agency Rook Matthews Sayer (RMS) has been acquired by the Connells Group, in a deal led by business advisors UNW. Newcastle-based RMS, which has 16 branches, more than 130 staff and sells more homes in the city and Northumberland than any other estate agency, became part of the Skipton Building Society-owned Connells Group on February 29. RMS shareholders Clive Rook, Rod Matthews and Richard Sayer, who founded the business in 1990, appointed Newcastle-based UNW to advise them on the deal. Lawyers Bond Dickinson handled the legal aspects of the deal on behalf of RMS. Connells Group is one of the UK’s largest and most successful estate agency and property services groups, with over 560 branches around the country. The company, which was founded with its first branch opening in 1936, has been part of the Yorkshire-based Skipton Building Society since 1996. Under the terms of the deal, which was agreed for an undisclosed sum, RMS will continue to provide its residential and commercial sales and lettings and property management services under
the Rook Matthew Sayer brand. UNW corporate finance senior manager, Katy Lamb, said: “Recently there has been a significant level of consolidation activity across the UK lettings and estate agency sector which we expect to continue. RMS is an excellent North Eastern acquisition for the Connells Group and we are very pleased to have advised its shareholders on this successful transaction.”
RMS co-founder Clive Rook said: “UNW provided excellent advice and negotiating expertise when we decided it was the right time to sell our business. “Connells is a large and growing business, and we are confident that the Rook Matthews Sayer name will continue to go from strength to strength as part of the Connells Group.”
For more information please visit www.unw.co.uk.
FISCHER WOLFF INTERNATIONAL - A Dublin man, in Newcastle, with a plan to conquer the German eCommerce recruitment market to add dynamic young graduates, or experienced Recruiter’s to his team. Anyone who has fluent German and wanting to join a company which clearly is going places should really get in touch with him. Peter wants to add 10 new members to his team by the end of 2017.
Fischer Wolff International was founded in May 2014 by Peter Byrne, a Dubliner, who has been living in Newcastle for 10 years. Peter’s goal? “It is quite simple really; I want the business to become a leading player in the German IT Recruitment Market for eCommerce Professionals over the next five years.”
Peter also has a clear message for would be hires: “I want to create something special, a hardworking, but fun and rewarding place for people to come to work every day. I believe in empowering people, and above all to be treated equally and respectfully. The first people to join the team will have the real possibility to be integral to the growth of the business and become Director’s themselves over the course of the next 5-10 years. It’s an exciting time for me, and I know this business will thrive. I am offering very good basic salaries, but also the best commission structure in Newcastle Upon Tyne”.
Fischer Wolff International’s early success is down to one main thing; they specialise in IT Recruitment for the German eCommerce market. That is their niche, and they are successful with it. Fischer Wolff International is nearly two years old, and now has relationships with over 400 firms in Germany, ranging from small consulting firms (eCommerce Partner firms) to German multinational firms who need to hire whole teams of technical eCommerce specialists. In the first year, the business achieved turnover of 220,000 Euro from a cold start. Peter says: “Being a single dad taking my 10 year old son to school every day and collecting him, I had real worries that I wouldn’t be able to build the business, but I’ve worked hard and
persevered, and thankfully, I am in the position where I can now push on and grow the business”. Based near Central station in Newcastle city centre, Peter is now looking to build his company,
The future is certainly looking good for this business with customers contacting Fischer Wolff every day with urgent recruitment requirements. If you speak German and want a fantastic career, get in touch with Peter!
FISCHER WOLFF INTERNATIONAL LTD - 0191 2299559 – Peter@fischerwolff.com www.fischerwolff.com
34