Property advisory Zerum Consult on growth track
Zerum Consult, a property consulting business co-owned by ex-Manchester United footballer Gary Neville, is scoring well after its inception last year and has big goals in mind over the coming years. Backed by the buoyant sustainability industry, in combination with its edge in the marketplace, Zerum Consult is setting out on becoming a leader in its field.
Zerum was founded in 2010*, operating initially with the Zerum Renew brand, with a focus on supporting UK business towards a low carbon footprint. In March 2014 it launched its second business, Zerum Consult, established following the merger between King Associates and RED Property Services. The firm is owned by five partners: experienced property experts Paul Devine, Anthony Kilbride, Mike Ralph and Ged Tivey, and former England international football star Gary Neville. Zerum employs roughly 30 employees and is based in Manchester.
As it stands, the merged business has started off on the right foot, posting a profit of £750,000 in its first year. "In our first year following the merger we've bought our head office at 4 Jordan Street and completely refurbished it. We've retained our clients from King Associates and RED, attracted new clients and, most importantly of all, delivered a first class service. As first years go we're very pleased,” explains Ralph. The firm works on a number of large projects in and around the UK, including the Thorpe Park in Leeds, Hotel Football Old Trafford and MediaCityUK in Manchester.
Looking ahead, the property consultancy has ambitious plans, comments Devine, with the ambition to grow to a revenue £1.5 million in the next five years. "We're constantly reinvesting in the business as part of our long-term strategy. We looking to invest in people as the projects we're involved in expand." To support the growth ambition, the firm has recently recruited several new professionals, both juniors and seniors, including Brendan Caloe (Construction Director) and Harry Courtney Smith (Graduate Project Manager). Kilbride adds: “We have a strategic vision for growth and this will be in line with our values of ensuring a quality service to our long term client base.”
* The company name Zerum is inspired by the Latin name for zero, with the aim of realising a sustainable zero carbon future, with zero tolerance on cost, quality and time as an ethos of delivery.