A Scottish-based building surveying and project management firm is to invest over £1 million expanding into north west England.

PMP has recruited a team of five people for a new Manchester office which will be led by director Ben Walker, formerly head of office for CS2, in a move to take advantage of growing demand in commercial real estate projects.

A five-year lease on office premises in Spinningfields, which will be staffed by a newly recruited team including an associate, senior surveyor and graduate, has been signed.

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Joe Madden, director of PMP, said: "The busy Manchester commercial property market provides a significant opportunity for PMP as we continue to grow our business.

"Ben brings the perfect experience and approach we are looking for.

"With increasing volumes of work in high profile technical due diligence, project management, development monitoring and asset management instructions, we are now well placed to serve our clients across the UK."

A provider of project management, cost management and building surveying services, PMP was founded 26 years ago in Edinburgh and now employs over 30 staff over four offices.

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The firm has delivered technical due diligence to over 20 high profile projects across England in recent months including developments in Manchester, Carlisle and Crewe.

The Manchester office is the third office opening in three years for PMP following the success of Glasgow and London.

The business has increased revenues in the last twelve months by over 30 per cent as the company continues its ambitions to build a sustainable property consultancy serving clients across the UK.

The team in Manchester will be involved in projects including work on a 250 bed Aparthotel in Manchester city centre and six private residential refurbishments across the north of England valued at over £2m.

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Mr Walker, who has over 11 years’ experience in the Manchester commercial property industry as a chartered building surveyor, said: "The drive and ambition shown by the senior team at PMP is very compelling.

"Alongside their impressive project list from student developments and distilleries to major office developments, I think our new Manchester team can make a real impact into their UK business.

"We’re equally excited to see the growth of the surrounding areas, with new developments such as the £1bn Trafford Waters Project and Media City expansion, all driven by the ever expanding Metrolink Tram system."