Roberts and Partners’ UK operation has been bought out of receivership by rival firm Foremans.

The buyout includes all of Roberts’ UK offices. Existing staff and management, totalling 114, will be retained with the exception of founder Merlyn Roberts.

Foremans was invited to bid for Roberts in early July. Barry Shaw, chairman of Foremans says a key reason for being approached was the need to conclude a deal quickly and also the similarity between the two companies. “We work in the same sectors, have similar ethics and regularly compete with each other for projects.”

Roberts and Partners has won a number of prestigious projects recently, including Mellon Financial Corporation’s 14 000 m2 offices in London. However financial problems stemmed from the firm’s Dubai office which had failed to be paid for work in progress. The Dubai office is currently undergoing a management buyout.

Shaw says the the current plan is to retain the Roberts and Partners name and “Let them focus on getting on with what they do best.” However he added that there is scope for the two firms to collaborate in the future.

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