TWO high profile estate agents in the Cotswolds are set to join forces from the start of August.

Sheldon Bosley together with Knight & Rennie are to become Sheldon Bosley Knight. The new business will operate out of the four existing centres of Shipston-on-Stour, Stratford-upon-Avon, Kenilworth and Leamington Spa and will deliver a comprehensive range of property related professional services. This merger comes close on the heels of the recent joint venture between the two firms for a New Homes estate agency service.

The New Homes division is managed by Oliver Knight, who said:" “We have long regarded Sheldon Bosley as an ideal partner to complement the lettings and residential sales agency services provided by Knight & Rennie Ltd. This is a golden opportunity for both firms to expand to offer new services to our established clients, and to forge strength and depth across all types of property.”

Sheldon Bosley has traditionally established its roots in Rural Land Agency, but has developed a business with a complete package of property related services with a significant and expanding planning and architectural division supporting smaller building projects to strategic development land initiatives.

James Walton, a Partner with Sheldon Bosley, added: "We are very excited at the prospect of this new venture which takes us forward and gives opportunity for us to expose our range of services to a new and extensive clientele, for whom Knight & Rennie have already demonstrated a quality of service and which can now be reinforced for those who require building surveys, commercial property advice and management, as well as valuations for tax and loan security. The firm will continue to trade as a firm of chartered surveyors regulated by the RICS, and it is expected that changes in branding, which are to be rolled out next week, will be a strong topic of conversation amongst our friends, clients and competitors.”

Sam Russell will also transfer his responsibilities from Sheldon Bosley to become a director of the new “SBK” company.