CP Bigwood, the new agency created from the merger of Bigwood and Curry & Partners, has announced its first big appointment.

The firm has recruited Stuart Rose from GVA – the former GVA Grimley – to bolster CP Bigwood’s expanding commercial agency department.

Steven Bott has also joined as a graduate surveyor within the agency department.

CP Bigwood director Ian Tudor said: “These are very significant new additions to the team.

“Stuart is an experienced and well-respected operator within the retail agency world while Steve has great promise and enthusiasm.

“I am sure they will hit the ground running. This is further evidence of our determination to drive the business forward.”

Earlier this month Bigwood and Curry & Partners, both Birmingham firms of chartered surveyors and property management consultants, came together to create one of the largest independent agencies in the Midlands.

The move created an £8 million fee income business with 125 members of staff.

Mr Rose said: “It is a very exciting time with CP Bigwood expected to grow quickly into a £10 million plus operation once integration is completed.

“Knowing I was joining such an ambitious and go-ahead firm was a major attraction for me.

“I will be using my experience and contacts to help realise those ambitions.

“It remains a challenging market but I have always been up for a challenge.”

Mr Rose was more than four years at GVA where he was part of its retail services team in Birmingham, acting on acquisitions and disposals involving the likes of McDonald’s, Ladbrokes, Lee Longlands and Wesleyan Assurance .

Steve Bott will be involved across the commercial sector assisting in the acquisition and disposal of freehold and leasehold properties.

After attending Solihull School, he graduated in 2007 from Nottingham Trent University and recently completed an MSc in real estate management at Birmingham City University. “I am very pleased to be joining CP Bigwood,” he said. “It is a great opportunity for me and I intend to grasp it.”