A Scottish architecture and interior design firm, Davidson Baxter Partnership (DBP), has recently been acquired by CSY Architects, an employee-owned company based in the Scottish Borders. The founder of DBP, Stewart Davidson, made the decision to sell the firm to prepare for his eventual retirement. The acquisition process was overseen by KBS Corporate, with integration now in progress.
DBP, originally founded by Stewart Davidson as a sole practitioner in 1985, changed its name in 2011 to incorporate Alan Baxter as a director. CSY Architects, formerly known as Camerons Strachan Yuill, was established in 2020 and operates from regional offices in the Lothians, Borders, and Northumberland. The merger between DBP and CSY Architects will allow for an expansion of the team and services offered by the combined entity.
Stewart Davidson will remain with the company as a consultant director for the next few years, while Alan Baxter will continue as a full-time salaried director to ensure a smooth transition. The directors at CSY expressed their excitement about integrating the DBP team into their own, emphasizing the importance of shared values and a people-centric approach to architecture.
CSY Architects, led by managing directors Douglas Strachan and Gavin Yuill, believe in the power of teamwork and employee ownership. The addition of DBP Architects to their team will further strengthen this model and contribute to a progressive and empowering work environment. The decision to sell DBP to CSY was based on the compatibility of the two firms and the potential for growth and expansion.
Paul Liptrott of KBS Corporate, who facilitated the acquisition, expressed his satisfaction with the outcome of the deal. He highlighted the positive relationship between CSY and DBP, as well as the contemporary approach of CSY in seeking to place the practice within their Employee Ownership Trust. The transition is expected to benefit all parties involved and contribute to the continued success of the newly integrated firm.