PARAGON, the Edinburgh-based building and project consultant, has merged with English peer Bond Davidson, writes Scott Wright.

The combined business, which will ultimately trade as Paragon, will turn over £22 million and employ nearly 200 staff, with offices in London, Manchester and Surrey as well as Edinburgh.

The respective leaders of Paragon and Bond say by joining forces they can offer clients a “larger scale viable alternative” in the markets they operate in.

John Munday, joint managing director of Paragon with Robert Perry, said: “Paragon and Bond Davidson complement each other perfectly in terms of our respective project and building consultancy services and specialisms.

“We had a larger building surveying and due diligence offering whilst they had a larger project services offering. Together, we are significantly more skilled and able to advise a wider range of clients.

“Both businesses were independently considering acquisitions as part of their strategic growth plans, so the merger is perfectly timed.”

Paragon turns over £14m and employs 110, with clients including Aberdeen Standard Investments.

Projects with a total construction value of £5 billion are currently being advised upon by the two organisations.