Oxford: Ridge acquires HPP to boost planning consultancy services

Oxford-based Ridge and Partners LLP has announced the acquisition of highly-regarded planning consultancy Hunter Page Planning Ltd (HPP) marking a significant boost to the company’s property and construction consultancy services.

Ridge has been based in Oxford for over 70 years employing over 200 staff locally and specialising in project management, building surveying, architecture and civil and structural engineering working on projects including for the University of Oxford and Renault Sport Formula 1. Ridge has more than 600 consultants based across the UK but has never before been able to offer planning consultancy as part of their multi-disciplinary offer so the acquisition will bring benefits to clients and staff increasing opportunities for working together.

Established in 1993, HPP is based in Cheltenham and employs over 20 staff. The company has most recently been involved with successful projects including the urban extension at Brockworth, a new flagship car showroom for BMW, regeneration of Cheltenham town centre, urban extension at Swindon and new waterside regeneration zone in Nottingham.  Work in progress includes the Buckover Garden Village and the growth point at Sharpness.

Adrian O’Hickey, senior partner at Ridge, said: “This is a landmark moment for Ridge. We are a dynamic company aspiring to grow and this acquisition marks a critical move in achieving our ambitions. We believe bringing HPP into the Ridge business will be a great success, enabling us to offer an even broader range of specialist services to our clients. We are excited to bring our new colleagues on board and, with so many innovative and challenging projects on the horizon, we are very much looking forward to working together.”

Paul Fong, managing director at HPP, said: “I am so proud to be leading HPP into this new phase for our business. The Ridge ethos and strategy is a great fit for us, and most importantly for me is the passion and drive demonstrated by Ridge which reflects that of the HPP team”.

Fong and the former directors of HPP are now partners of Ridge and will form the management team for the Ridge planning service.

The announcement follows a successful year for Ridge in the UK, which has seen turnover increase by £5 million to over £52m in 2017, with turnover expected to reach over £60m in 2018.