Ashfords LLP advises award-winning planning consultancy, Indigo Planning, on share sale to Canadian-listed global services firm, WSP

Founded over 30 years ago, Indigo is one of the largest independent town planning consultancies in the UK, providing specialist planning advice on residential, retail, commercial, industrial, leisure, tourism, infrastructure, energy and regeneration, and is consistently recognised for its outstanding performance.

WSP is one of the world's leading engineering professional services consulting firms, providing solutions in the property & buildings, transportation & infrastructure, environment, industry, resources and power & energy sectors. Recent high-profile UK projects have included the Shard, Crossrail and the London Olympic & Paralympic Route Network.

The coming together of WSP and Indigo will collectively position the joint organisation as a top tier planning consultancy in the UK.

Commenting on the sale, Indigo Planning’s Chief Executive, Simon Neate, said: “This move represents the next phase in Indigo Planning’s evolution and will create new and bigger opportunities for both our colleagues and our clients in the UK and internationally."

Mark Naysmith, UK CEO of WSP commented: “With the collective expertise of WSP and Indigo’s planning specialists we will become one of the UK’s largest planning consultancies, operating in the infrastructure, property, energy and environmental markets. Our newly combined skills will increase the strength and diversity of our service offer for our clients across the UK.”

The Ashfords' team was led by Stuart Fleet, Corporate Partner in Ashfords’ London office, assisted by Katie Yorke (Associate), Nicola Manclark (Tax Partner), Ed Hopkins (Senior Associate), Ross Carter and Adam Woodhouse (Trainee Solicitors), alongside support from Ashfords' Commercial, IP and Real Estate teams. Simon Neate also commented that "Indigo's Directors were pleased with the advice and support provided by Stuart's team from start to finish.”

Stuart commented: “We are delighted to have been able to support the team at Indigo in this important strategic step for the business and wish them every success in pursuing the opportunities presented by the combination with WSP."

Ashfords advised Indigo alongside the Corporate Finance team at Kingston Smith, led by John Cowie, who provided financial negotiation, tax advice, deal structuring and assisted the due diligence process for the sale."

Ashfords LLP
Stuart Fleet, Partner in Ashfords' Corporate Team
+44 (0)20 7544 2473
s.fleet@ashfords.co.uk