National surveying firm Gateway is looking to increase its headcount following an increase in business.

It will add to its surveying operation in London and the South East in response to a year on year increase in business volumes of 70%.

The firm will be increasing its in-house team and says that the growth is in response to a still robust London property market and a continuing growth in buy-to-let across the south east.

The firm reports that there is strong demand in London from overseas investors and despite the issues in the Euro zone they are finding that the largest proportion of investment is European, followed by the Middle East and then Asia (in particular China).

Mel Kettle, client services director of Gateway, said: “There is little doubt that Central London remains a hot spot of activity with the picture a little more subdued as you move further out and the stand out sector of the market at the moment is buy-to-let. Although part of our business growth is due to a number of new client wins it is very encouraging that overall activity is also increasing.