DESIGN capability at SMC Gower Architects has been extended with its acquisition of a national architectural practice and its sister company.

Pontefract-based ADM – Architectural Design Management - and multi-disciplinary practice, Consult, have been acquired by SMC Gower Architects, Leeds, as part of plans to become the biggest architectural practice in Yorkshire

ADM, which had a £400,000 turnover and operated nationally, was led by managing director, Daniel Johnson, who, with six staff, including three technicians and a practice manager, have become part of SMC Gower at its award-winning studio at the Round Foundry, Holbeck.

The simultaneous acquisition of multi-disciplinary practice, Consult, which had a turnover of more than £650,000, gives SMC Gower access to a core team of 35 specialist construction and property-related consultants throughout the UK, including Belfast. The acquisitions are for a substantial but undisclosed sum.

ADM was established by Daniel Johnson, eight years ago in Rotherham as a break-away from Concept Design and later re-located to Leeds before moving to Pontefract last year.

The business has carried out projects for blue-chip businesses including BP and Rolls Royce and has been closely involved with the national roll out of Leapfrog Day Nurseries, having designed 75 throughout the UK. It is currently working for a London-based property developer on a scheme to create homes by converting basement rooms in a large mansion house next to the Albert Hall, London.

Consult was established two years ago by managing partner, Daniel Johnson, 38, to provide ADM with access to a nationwide, flexible team of property and construction- related professionals throughout the UK.

He says: “This acquisition enables me to get back to my first passion of architectural design, rather than business management, and, through SMC Gower Architects, to become involved with larger, more ambitious schemes.”

SMC Gower Architects, part of the international SMC Group Plc, currently has 80 design, technical and support staff and has been going through a period of steady growth, organically and through acquisition, and has more than doubled staff its size and tripled its turnover in the last three years. Two years ago the business acquired architectural practice, Philip Lees & Associates, Leeds.

SMC Gower managing director, Iain Cant, says: “These acquisitions, coupled with organic growth, help to maintain our expansion to become the biggest architectural practice in Yorkshire.

“ADM offered just what we were looking for: skilled technicians, more quality clients and excellent prospects. Consult is an exciting resource for us and other practices within SMC Group Plc and a business winner in its own right. “