The two lobby groups have joined forces to encourage inward investment.

G9, the informal group comprising of nine firms of north east commercial property chartered surveyors, merged with Developing Consensus (DC) in January to strengthen the group and address some of the most pressing issues facing the Newcastle area.

Comprising Lambert Smith Hampton, Gavin Black and Partners, Naylors, Sanderson Weatherall, Cushman & Wakefield, HTA Real Estate, BNP Paribas Real Estate, Knight Frank and Bilfinger GVA, G9 will now form a united front with Developing Consensus to act as one on regional matters.

G9 chairman Gavin Black said, “There is no doubt that the months since Brexit decision have been a challenge. The time is right therefore to work more closely with DC, particularly as devolution is increasingly looking like a Newcastle City Region vehicle.

Adam Serfontein, the chairman of DC, said, “The two groups have worked closely for over three years and G9 will continue to be a highly effective force in the group, embracing the DC focus on stimulating the regional economy through the built environment.”

“It is essential we work toward a highly effective industry voice to stimulate inward investment.”