Building consultant CNP is being stalked by firms, including Malcolm Hollis, after falling into administration earlier this week

The firm, which posted a turnover of £14.5m last year, sent a letter to its clients on Tuesday explaining that it had been put in administration.

Its parent group, LandAmerica, filed for chapter 11 bankruptcy last November to seek protection from its creditors. The letter said LandAmerica had refused to accept a proposal for a management buyout.

The firm has attracted interest from a number of rivals, but WSP has denied reports that it is interested.

John Woodman, senior partner at Malcolm Hollis, said: “We’re definitely going to be looking at some parts, if not all, of the business. We won’t hang around – we feel it’d be a good match.”