Davidson Baxter acquired by CSY Architects

Integration is well underway between the Davidson Baxter Partnership and acquirer CSY Architects following a sale advised upon by KBS Corporate.

Davidson Baxter Partnership (DBP), a Scottish company of architects and interior designers, was founded by Stewart Davidson as a sole practitioner in 1985. The Kirkcaldy-based company changed its name in 2011 to incorporate Alan Baxter, who became a director that year.

To facilitate future plans, Stewart instructed KBS on a sale of the company in which Paul Liptrott, Corporate Deal Executive, oversaw the acquisition by CSY.

Formed in 2020, CSY Architects was previously known as Camerons Strachan Yuill and is an employee-owned firm which works with homeowners, businesses and community groups from regional offices in the Lothians, Borders and Northumberland.

Stewart remains in the company as a consultant director while Alan remains as a full-time director, the duo helping the two companies to make the transition over the coming years as smooth as possible.

“The integration of the practices provides a positive outlook for the enlarged business, with the merger allowing CSY, who currently have a team of 20+, to expand and integrate the current DBP team, bringing the practice staff numbers to 30 team members,” confirmed Stewart.

“A recent CSY Team Day held in Dalkeith allowed the whole group to meet up and discuss the changes which were happening. It was a good opportunity to meet everyone and chat over the future opportunities with the enlarged group.”

Explaining the suitability of CSY as Davidson Baxter’s acquirer, Stewart added: “CSY currently have three offices, in Galashiels, Dalkeith and Berwick, and the addition of the Kirkcaldy office will allow the practice to expand its geographical reach and also integrate the interior design capability which DBP has built up over many years.”

CSY Architects’ portfolio of projects is similar to that of DBP Architects and adding the interior design project portfolio to the mix will allow CSY to expand into new areas of work, retaining the current team which will be expanded moving forward.

“CSY Architects are firm believers that our team is greater than the sum of its parts and that architecture is about people and places,” said the Directors at CSY.

“We were delighted to find shared values with the team at DBP Architects and have enjoyed getting to know them.

“Led by two Managing Directors, Douglas Strachan and Gavin Yuill, the majority of CSY Architects is employee-owned. The staff at DBP Architects will therefore now be integrated into the wider team, contributing to and benefiting from this progressive and empowering model.”

KBS Corporate worked with DBP to understand the business initially and assist with the preparation of the marketing materials.

“KBS then proceeded to make the introduction to CSY Architects,” explained Stewart Davidson. “We looked at all the interested parties who expressed interest in the practice, but ultimately the connection with CSY seemed to be the most appropriate fit.

“Paul Liptrott at KBS was helpful in that regard, bringing all the parties together and assisting in the management of the deal.”

Paul was delighted to fulfil the potential of the existing relationship he had built with CSY during previous acquisition opportunities.

“When we brought Davidson Baxter Partnership to market, I knew instantly they would be compatible to progress with a deal with CSY,” explained Paul.

“This is a remarkably interesting pairing and contemporary in their plans as CSY now seek to place the practice within their EOT. I wish all the best to everyone involved.”

Paul also thanked Lorna Anderson, KBS Corporate Document Writer, for producing marketing materials “which presented an exceptional outline of the business operations and aspects” and Jonathan Rogers of Gunnercooke for providing legal assistance “in a timely and efficient manner”.