Curzon Holdings, the parent company of fit-out firm Jarvis Newman, is planning to make acquisitions this year as part of a dash for growth.
Chief executive David Freeborn said he expected Curzon's turnover to rise 75% to £70m in 2002 as he created a UK-wide business.

He said he wanted to grow Jarvis Newman's business north of Birmingham and has set up offices in Edinburgh and near Middlesbrough to drive this.

The rest of the growth would come by absorbing building maintenance firm TCL Granby, which Curzon bought last year, and by increasing Curzon's furniture and joinery turnover. Curzon's turnover last year was £40m, with a pre-tax profit of £1.3m.

Freeborn said Curzon also wanted to add a facilities management firm to the group's holdings.

We’re aiming to be a property support services business

David Freeborn, Curzon Holdings

He said: "We'd like to identify a target that gives us true FM. That would increase the value of our business because they have longer-term, higher-value income streams than contracting. We are aiming to be a property support services business."

Curzon was the management buyout vehicle set up by Freeborn when he led the buyout of Jarvis Newman from its parent company Jarvis in 2000. Freeborn said Lloyds Bank, which funded the buyout, was happy to provide more cash for acquisitions.