13 April 2026
SHW Strengthen Southeast Presence With Strategic Acquisition
SHW News
SHW has taken a further step in its Southeast growth strategy with the acquisition of a six-strong commercial agency team from Ryan, significantly enhancing its presence across Kent, Essex and Surrey.
The move builds on SHW’s ongoing expansion, supported by its strategic partnership with Lambert Smith Hampton (LSH), enabling the firm to grow across service lines and geographies while maintaining its strong regional focus.
As part of the transaction, SHW will assume responsibility for Ryan’s UK Agency services across the region. A new office will be established in Dartford to support this expansion.
The incoming team includes Stephen Richmond, who joins as a non-equity Partner, alongside Stewart Smith and Tom Booker as Directors, and Christopher Birch as Senior Surveyor, all based in Dartford.
Robert Bradley-Smith will join as a non-equity Partner in SHW’s Croydon office (SHW South London), while Tim Hodges joins as Director in the Crawley/Gatwick office, strengthening coverage across the M25 South region.
Russell Markham, Managing Partner at SHW, commented: “This is a strong strategic move for both businesses. It enables the team and their clients to benefit from SHW’s full-service capabilities and wider advisory network, while supporting our continued growth across London and the Southeast, particularly in Kent.”
Clients transitioning from Ryan will gain access to SHW’s multi-disciplinary advisory platform, alongside the enhanced national capability delivered through its partnership with LSH.
Alex Probyn, Principal and Practice Leader for Europe and Asia-Pacific Property Tax at Ryan, added: “SHW offers an excellent platform for our agency team and their clients. This transaction supports Ryan’s strategy to focus on its core professional services and invest in its key areas of expertise.”
This latest acquisition follows a series of strategic moves by SHW, including its merger with Karrison’s Property to expand its Kent presence, and the integration of Surrey and Sussex-based AKD Consulting, further strengthening its technical capability and regional coverage.
Robert Bradley-Smith commented: “Having previously spent over 18 years with SHW, it’s fantastic to return at such an exciting time for the business, with clear momentum in growth and regional expansion.”
