Insider Media Limited

A merger between Birmingham construction cost consultant Keane Consult and Projex Building Solutions is set to create new jobs and continued expansion across the country, Insider has been told. Glen Cooke, partner of the new business, said the opening of a new office in Henley-in-Arden was the beginning of a venture which could grow to "cover the UK" over the coming years.

The Birmingham company said the deal with Leeds-based Projex would double the size of the business.

The newly-merged company will trade under the Projex name and consist of eight partners and support staff. Existing offices in Birmingham and Leeds will be supported by the opening of a new office in Henley in Arden.

Cooke said the opportunity to become a bigger force in the construction world was too good for the company to pass up.

"The merger has given us the opportunity to expand our expertise and experience across the region. We have a hands-on approach with more than 100 years' experience between the partners in the Midlands.

"The venture will definitely create new jobs – obviously it's early days at the moment but we see the company expanding across the UK over the coming years. We see the regions we're based in at the moment as covering the UK quite well – but obviously we'd like to grow as time goes on."

Partner Nick Keaney said he now expected turnover to double for the third year running.

The company is currently involved with projects on site across the UK worth in excess of £60m.

Keaney said: "The Yorkshire partners are vastly experienced in all aspects of the construction management process and have worked on major UK projects such as the largest regeneration project to start on site in Yorkshire last year at Broad Street Halifax.

"The extended skills set we can now offer and continued hands-on approach from partners is already paying dividends and we are currently looking at pipeline schemes across retail, healthcare, office and industrial with a combined value in excess of £50m."