Derbyshire-based Phoenix is now looking to expand into Irvine Whitlock’s traditional market across London and the south east.

Six project managers and quantity surveyors joined Phoenix from Irvine Whitlock this month with another raft of professionals set to come onboard in the next few months.

Phoenix managing director Christian Watson said: “When the business started ten years ago Irvine Whitlock was a firm we wanted to be like.

“It’s great to hear from the guys coming over now that they see a lot of what they used to have at Irvine Whitlock here at Phoenix.

“We have traditionally worked above the M25 across the North and Midlands but now see the opportunity to go further south with the experience the Irvine Whitlock team bring.”

Watson is hoping the expansion drive will boost turnover to around £25m this year.

He said: “This targeted expansion plan is just the first element of our wider plan to develop Phoenix as a national player and our expanded team will bring our co-ordinated service in brickwork, scaffolding and drywalling to projects further south.”