Building consultancy targets further growth with opening of Scottish home

L-R David Philip; joint managing directors Robert Perry and John Munday; and Jamie March

PARAGON, a building and project consultancy, has opened an office in Edinburgh as part of the firm’s “controlled growth strategy”.

The London-founded business has moved into premises in George Street, with the office being led by David Philip, who was previously building consultancy partner at Knight Frank in Edinburgh.

David has joined Paragon as a director and head of office alongside Jamie March, who worked with him as an associate at Knight Frank. Jamie has joined the business as an associate building surveyor.

The consultancy provides services to clients either based or owning property in Scotland including Aberdeen Standard Investments, Rockspring Property Investment Managers, Tristan Capital, Ediston Real Estate and Oval Real Estate.

John Munday, Paragon joint managing director said, “We believe there is a great deal of opportunity for Paragon in Scotland. Our distinct collaborative approach provides clients with highly effective integrated services underpinned by smart thinking and delivered with practical advice. It gives us a clear point of differentiation and gives clients a much wanted viable alternative in the markets in which we operate.”

Joint managing director Robert Perry added, “We have taken time to find and make the right appointments to allow us to realise our ambitions of opening an office in Edinburgh. In David, we have a hugely respected professional with a reputation for providing clear, commercial advice who also has an excellent professional network, whilst Jamie is a very talented and ambitious building surveyor.

“They are a proven team and we look forward to seeing them grow Paragon’s presence in Edinburgh and throughout Scotland.”

David has over 20 years’ experience as a building surveyor and has acted as project manager and contract administrator on numerous refurbishment and office fit out projects. Jamie became professionally qualified in 2014. Paragon described his expertise as including space planning and audit, dilapidations, contract administration, schedules of condition, building survey reports and application for statutory consents.

David said, “Paragon’s ambition, expertise and collaborative approach are ideal for the Scottish market. The opening of the Edinburgh office has immediately created opportunities for Paragon and Jamie and I are enjoying taking our consultancy’s dynamic offer to the marketplace.

“Our intention is to rapidly develop the Edinburgh office, so we are very pleased with the start we have had to the year. Working closely with the rest of Paragon’s senior management team, our aim is to maintain this momentum by providing existing and new clients with integrated, commercially astute advice across all aspects of building surveying and project consultancy.”