In a deal advised by Initium Corporate Finance, Faithorn Farrell Timms (FFT) has joined the Risk Management division of Celnor Group, an international service provider in the Testing, Inspection, Certification and Compliance (TICC) sector. The transaction will strengthen Celnor Group’s multi-disciplinary expertise, and expand its footprint in surveying and property consultancy services.

Founded in 2001, FFT is a multi-award-winning, quality-led surveying and property consultancy practice, known for delivering outstanding client value through exceptional quality and a solution-focused approach. With a team of ~80 people, and operating from three regional offices in Orpington, Kent, Brighton, East Sussex, and Potters Bar, Hertfordshire, FFT supports housing associations, local authorities, educational institutions, fund managers, health and leisure providers, and commercial developers by providing professional expertise to consult on all aspects of construction and property asset management.

“It has been a pleasure to deal with, and be advised by, the excellent team at Initium… Particularly impressive has been their round-the-clock levels of support, expertise in the negotiation phase and incredible eye for detail in financial analysis” – Colin Farrell, FFT

FFT’s in-house expertise spans both traditional and contemporary disciplines, by providing a comprehensive range of consultancy and management services across the built environment, including building surveying, public procurement, health and safety (including CDM Principal Designer), and fire safety. FFT’s specialist services extend to strategic asset management, covering stock condition surveys and performance appraisals, as well as energy efficiency and carbon reduction projects, offering retrofit design, advice, and project management. FFT’s specialist housing consultancy, interim management, and stock rationalisation services help clients optimise their property portfolios and achieve sustainable, long-term value.

Founded in 2023 by industry expert Simon Parrington, Celnor is a group of ambitious, entrepreneur-led businesses operating across four specialist divisions: Built Environment, Safety & Compliance, Risk Management, and Analytical Sciences. Its stated goal is to bring together dedicated companies that share commitment to safety, high standards, client satisfaction and sustainable growth.

Transaction perspectives

Commenting on the transaction, Colin Farrell, FFT Senior Partner, said: “Joining the Celnor Group marks an exciting new chapter for FFT. We’ve always been passionate about delivering excellence and building trust with our clients, and Celnor’s collaborative culture and growth vision provide the perfect platform for us to continue evolving. Together, we can enhance our service offering while staying true to the values that define us.”

FFT Senior Partner Robin Faithorn added: “Celnor’s investment in people, technology, and sustainable business growth mirrors our own priorities. By joining forces, we’re better positioned to deliver innovative, integrated solutions that create real value for our clients and the communities we serve.”

Simon Parrington, CEO and Founder of Celnor commented: “I’m excited to welcome FFT to the Celnor Group. Their exceptional reputation for quality, their breadth of expertise, and their strong social values makes them a perfect fit for our Risk Management division. This collaboration not only enhances our technical capabilities but also strengthens our commitment to making a positive difference across the industries and communities we serve. FFT’s leadership team has built a business grounded in professionalism, ethics, and innovation, qualities that perfectly reflect our values and vision.”

“From the outset Initium worked closely with us to fully understand what we were seeking in a partner, and were consistently driven and focussed, keeping the transaction on track at all stages of the process” – Colin Farrell, FFT

Commenting on Initium’s role, Colin Farrell added: “It has been a pleasure to deal with, and be advised by, the excellent team at Initium. From the outset they worked closely with us to fully understand what we were seeking in a partner, and were consistently driven and focussed, keeping the transaction on track at all stages of the process.

“Particularly impressive has been the round-the-clock levels of support from across the Initium team, their expertise in the negotiation phase, understanding of the finer technical points, and incredible eye for detail in financial analysis. Selling a business brings multiple challenges, and you need a partner to support and hold your hand through the process. We were recommended to Initium personally by a trusted advisor, and they have repaid that faith and trust many times over. We’d certainly be happy to recommend Initium to other business leaders.”

Jim Whitaker, of Initium Corporate Finance, who advised FFT throughout the transaction, said: “Supporting Colin Farrell, Robin Faithorn and the senior FFT team on this transaction has been a pleasure from start to finish – what a fantastic business this is, with exceptional brand reputation for service excellence, innovation and creating positive impact in the community.

Initium has a particularly strong track record advising clients in the wider TICC sector, and this is the second Initium-led transaction to feature Celnor Group as acquirer, following the 2024 sale of Veriflo, specialist provider of Asset Management services to the water infrastructure sector.