SP+M pushes turnover up by 24 per cent

david-pennA Midlands-based commercial property agent has its sights set on further growth after increasing turnover by 24 per cent in 2012/13.

Shortland Penn + Moore, which has offices in Coventry and Birmingham, increased business over the past 12 months despite the tough climate and is looking to repeat that over the coming year.

Part of the firm’s success has been down to the fact that it has opened a new office in Birmingham, with the appointments of David Allen and Andrew Oliver, and has also added to its team in Coventry.

Managing director David Penn said: “It was a positive financial year for Shortland Penn + Moore.

“We have made significant changes over the past 18 months including rebranding, changing our name and launching a new Birmingham office.

“With the economic climate as it is, it would have been easy to pare back and look to simply survive in the hope that an upturn would come.

“But we have gone the other way and have decided to invest to help us grow and have ensured that the guiding principle of providing first-rate, professional advice and service is at the heart of everything we do.”

He added: “Some areas of commercial property remain tough – such as retail and offices – but we have certainly seen an improvement in the industrial market, especially for high-quality properties.

“We have seen increased activity when it comes to land sales and also take up on properties such as former churches and social clubs.

“Our investment agency, led by Jonathan Moore, has also performed well over the past year and it bodes well for the year ahead.”