Alantra advises Paragon Building Consultancy on the sale of a majority interest to Colliers

May 2022

Sell-side advisory

10 May 2022 – Alantra, the global investment banking firm, has advised the shareholders of Paragon Building Consultancy (“Paragon”), one of the UK’s top independent building consultancy and project management firms, on the sale of a majority interest in the business to Colliers. NASDAQ and TSX-listed Colliers is a leading diversified professional services and investment management company.

Founded in London in 2009, Paragon’s 150 professionals from the firm’s six UK offices provide building surveying, project management, environmental assessments, and energy & sustainability consulting to owners, investors, and users of real estate. Paragon will be combined with Colliers’ existing project management business bringing scale and additional capabilities in the UK and Europe. Paragon’s senior management team will lead the combined operations and retain significant equity going forward under Colliers’ unique partnership model. 

Richard Sanders, Partner at Alantra, led the deal supported by Julian Ayisi, Associate and Julia Hussein, Analyst. This deal is the latest in a series advising businesses in the consulting and built environment sectors, including advising Foster + Partners on a strategic partnership with Hennick & Company, Raynsway Properties on its sale to Boundary Real Estate Partners, and Palatine on its acquisition of a majority stake in Jessup.

Richard Sanders, Partner at Alantra commented, “Established in 2009 by 10 founding partners, Paragon is now one of the UK’s largest independent building and project consultancies with a reputation for excellent service delivery. Partnering with Colliers will significantly enhance both companies’ building and project consultancy capabilities. This transaction underlines Alantra’s expertise in the consulting and built environment sectors, following transactions completed for Foster + Partners, Boundary Real Estate Partners and Godwin Developments, among others.”

Paragon co-founding partner John Munday, who will take on the role of Co-Head of the combined business, said, “Our partnership with Colliers is the next step in our firm’s evolution especially given our shared culture and commitment to service excellence. This transaction marks a significant milestone for Paragon and will help propel our growth in the coming years.”

Paragon co-founding partner Robert Perry, who will join John Munday as Co-Head of the combined business, added, “Colliers’ well-known global brand and platform, and strong client relationships both locally and internationally, unlock many new opportunities for us. Colliers has a strong entrepreneurial culture, together with the scale, financial resources, and industry leadership we were looking for in a partner. Leveraging all that Colliers has to offer will be of great advantage to our company, its professionals, and partners in the years to come. We could not be more excited about our prospects for the future.” Tony Horrell, Chief Executive Officer of Colliers UK and Ireland, said, “Our new partnership with Paragon strengthens our capabilities within the UK and extends our reach into Europe allowing us to better serve our clients’ needs. Paragon’s reputation in the industry is second to none, and this acquisition represents Colliers’ continued commitment to providing best-in-class services to maximize the potential of our clients’ assets and properties.”