Target Group has announced the purchase of the operating business of Commercial First.

Established in 2002 and based in Skipton, Commercial First is a provider of commercial and residential mortgage servicing, due diligence and property valuations for clients ranging from banks and fund managers to private equity and mortgage securitisations.

It provides clients with services in the real estate lending market ranging from loan administration through to the full arrears, litigation and repossession cycle. It also offers complimentary services such as debt recovery, professional negligence claims, property management, lettings, cash bond administration and investor reporting.

Ian Larkin (pictured), co-group CEO at Target Group, said: “John Barbour and his team have built a special servicing capability in Commercial First that is recognised within the industry as being second to none. Combining this capability with our primary servicing will enable Target to deliver to our clients a market-leading end-to-end servicing proposition for residential and commercial lending.

“This acquisition fits extremely well within our plans to adapt and innovate in order to deliver exceptional support for our clients.”

John Barbour, chief executive of Commercial First, added: “The transaction establishes a long term solution for our mortgage servicing activities bringing together Target Group’s impressive primary servicing and technology capability with the Commercial First team’s proven track record in special servicing and ancillary mortgage activities.

“We very much look forward to working with Target Group’s extensive list of clients and strengthening those relationships whilst at the same time bringing a new unrivalled service to market for those providers who are looking to outsource all or some of their administration, IT and services. The next 12 months will be very exciting times as we welcome a number of significant new clients.”