Jones Hargreaves launches Brum-based fire consultancy

Commercial property consultancy Jones Hargreaves has launched an in-house fire consultancy from its Birmingham offices.

The new division will be led by new partners Simon Benton and Stuart Bourne, who bring more than 36 years’ combined experience in fire engineering, fire risk assessment and technical consultancy.

The consultancy will provide fire engineering services across all RIBA stages, alongside Building Safety Act advice, fire risk assessments, fire safety management, technical due diligence and strategic advisory work.

The firm says the move comes in response to growing demand for specialist advice following changes to building safety legislation.

“This is a really exciting opportunity to influence fire safety strategies across a range of portfolios and schemes throughout the UK, as part of a holistic process,” said Simon Benton, fire consultancy partner at Jones Hargreaves

“Having the opportunity to operate a fire consultancy with real integrity from scratch alongside a trusted and established leader in the commercial property sector is a real privilege.”

The national consultancy said the Birmingham-based team will deliver services across the UK and is expected to grow in the coming months, with plans to expand into non-commercial property sectors.

“With a fast evolving regulatory landscape in fire regulations across both commercial and residential property sectors, it’s essential that owners, occupiers, investors and developers stay abreast of what this means for their assets,” added Stuart Bourne.

“Making this an integral part of the multi-disciplinary expertise on offer at Jones Hargreaves will enable clients to move beyond compliance and embed fire safety as a strategic part of asset management. This is key to developing a life cycle of safer communities and places to work with longevity against an ever evolving landscape”.