FRP has strengthened its presence in the real-estate finance market with the acquisition of Arc & Co Structured Finance, as the advisory firm prepares to launch a new dedicated real estate division.

Arc & Co, headquartered in London, is regarded as one of the more experienced independent advisers in property finance, with a client base spanning the UK and overseas.

Since its launch in 2008, the firm has specialised in structuring debt and equity across residential and commercial development, as well as income-producing assets.

The deal will see Arc & Co’s co-founders, Andrew Robinson and Edward Horn-Smith, join FRP as partners alongside the company’s team of 18.

FRP plans to use the acquisition to establish a sixth service line, FRP Real Estate Advisory. The new pillar will combine Arc & Co’s specialist knowledge with FRP’s existing property expertise, offering an integrated service that the firm says will support boards, lenders and advisers seeking to create, preserve or realise value in real-estate assets, while also helping to manage risk.

The transaction is FRP’s 15th acquisition since its IPO in March 2020 and follows its purchase of One Advisory Group earlier this year. The firm said the move aligns with its strategy of broadening its service offering, increasing market share and expanding its geographic reach.

Geoff Rowley (pictured), FRP’s chief executive, said: “Arc & Co’s expertise broadens our existing real estate capabilities. In launching FRP Real Estate Advisory as a service pillar we bring these specialists together in order to better serve clients with their real estate requirements.

“We consider this acquisition will allow FRP to deepen relationships across the real estate sector, with increased opportunities for revenue generation across the Group.

“Andrew, Ed and the team have built a great reputation and we’re pleased to welcome them to FRP. They share our values and will make a strong contribution as we continue to grow.”

Andrew Robinson, co-founder of Arc & Co, added: “We are delighted to be joining FRP and are excited at the opportunities that being part of FRP presents for our team and our clients.

“We are all immensely proud of what we have achieved as a team at Arc & Co and being part of FRP will be a strong platform to enable us to offer a broader range of services to our clients and strengthen our reach across the UK through its nationwide office network.

“We are confident that by building upon our shared values of quality and professionalism with FRP we will accelerate our growth.”