It’s the first time in its 180-year history the firm has announced a turnover figure higher than £50m.
A profit margin of 15% was maintained in a period of economic uncertainty and the year the partnership’s Cambridge HQ was transformed into a fully agile and flexible working environment. Bidwells remains the second largest independent partnership in the UK and the only to focus solely on the UK for its work.
The Golden Triangle of Cambridge, Oxford and London remains Bidwells’ primary strategic focus. The region’s economy is being driven by high-growth science and technology industries and continues to post above UK average growth figures, with strong economic growth expected in Oxford this year and beyond.
Patrick McMahon, senior partner at Bidwells said: “Last year we had record profit and this year record turnover. While figures aren’t everything, this is testament to the hard work, great clients and fantastic opportunities we are seeing in the Growth Corridor of Oxford and Cambridge, one of the world’s greatest economic opportunity areas.
“The Government’s promise to invest in infrastructure and housing in the region means that this corridor will create even more opportunities for developers, investors and occupiers alike.
“As the key advisor in this area, we fully believe that Oxford, Cambridge and Milton Keynes will continue to grow well above the average GDP of the rest of the country and that this is an area that will continue to emerge as a global tech cluster in its own right - which is hugely exciting for the UK as a whole.”
The UK’s Forestry and Renewables sectors also look set to play a key role in the Government’s drive for post-Brexit self-sufficiency, with Bidwells’ Scotland teams continuing to capitalise. The multi-disciplinary consultancy has offices in Cambridge, Oxford, London, Milton Keynes and Norwich, as well as four offices in Scotland.
Catherine Spitzer, MD of Bidwells, added: “Breaking £50m of turnover is the headline but by recording another year of good profit it means we have the strength and stability required to continue investing in our people and infrastructure.
“Our move back into a fully agile headquarters has further improved the cross-divisional service we provide to clients and this announcement really kicks off our 180th year in style; giving us confidence and optimism for the near, medium and long-term future.”
Bidwells
Bidwells is one of the UK’s leading property consultancies, offering clients knowledge of, and access to, some of the most interesting real estate markets with the highest growth potential in the UK.
Over 80% of the consultancy’s work is concentrated in the ‘Golden Triangle’ of Oxford, Cambridge and London, including sector-leading work in the science & technology, and education sectors. Bidwells helps investors, developers, occupiers, house builders and home owners to harness the benefits of the exceptional growth in these markets which represent over 44% of all real estate activity in the UK.
In addition, Bidwells has a strong rural presence and manages thousands of square miles of the English and Scottish countryside and coastline. It is one of the leading consultancies in the high-growth forestry, renewables, and agriculture markets. These markets have consistently outperformed equities and bonds in recent years and are of significant interest to UK and overseas investors.
Established in 1839, Bidwells has retained many of its original clients, including some of the best-known colleges in Oxford and Cambridge who are among the biggest landowners in the UK. Today, Bidwells manages over £5.2 billion in property assets and employs 500 people in England and Scotland.