Support services firm Accord has taken over Hertfordshire consultant Schofield Lothian Group in another QS deal announced last week.
Accord chief executive Stelios Stefanou said Schofield Lothian would bring expertise to his firm and would strengthen its public sector work.

He said: “We already have an established record of achievement in the cost-effective provision of public services. The acquisition of Schofield Lothian will significantly extend our offer in this area.”

He said that Schofield Lothian was a successful business with an impressive track record of skills and investment planning.

The Schofield Lothian Group has a turnover of £13m and 200 staff; the firm’s entire management team, led by Phil Crow, Keith Kirkwood and Tim Jones, will remain with Accord.

Crow said: “As part of Accord’s group structure we can continue to offer high quality, client-focused services in specialist areas while being able to work with the Accord team to develop new services.”

The acquisition will strengthen the £240m turnover of Accord, and is intended to give the group greater expertise in areas such as project management, infrastructure services and management consultancy.

Accord is structured on a group basis and provides services including highways, housing maintenance, education, facilities management and environmental management. The group, which demerged from contractor John Doyle in 1999, employs more than 3300 people.

QS shake-up