DTZ has acquired a preferred interest in FHO Partners, a privately-owned commercial real estate brokerage firm based in Boston, Massachusetts. The deal will enable DTZ to expand and strengthen its real estate advisory services in the US.

DTZ has acquired a preferred interest in FHO Partners, a privately-owned commercial real estate brokerage firm based in Boston, Massachusetts. The deal will enable DTZ to expand and strengthen its real estate advisory services in the US.

The investment in FHO Partners complements DTZ's transaction with New York-headquartered DTZ Rockwood last year, which provides both transactional and advisory capital markets services throughout North America. FHO Partners will be re-branded DTZ FHO Partners.
Mark Struckett, group chief executive of DTZ, said: 'This agreement further reinforces DTZ's commitment to the US market and our continuing development of a global, high quality real estate advisory business. We view the investment in FHO Partners as another important step in our strategy
to build breadth and depth of local talent within the world's key financial centres.'

DTZ will initially pay $2 mln for a preferred interest in FHO Partners together with a $2 mln payment giving DTZ the right to acquire the entire outstanding interests in FHO Partners between 1 April 2008 and 1 May 2008. On exercise of the option, DTZ will pay a further $18 mln, of which up to $6 mln is
payable in loan notes convertible to DTZ shares. A further earn-out payment of up to $13 mln is payable in 2010 or 2011 of which up to 30%is payable in loan notes convertible to DTZ shares.

DTZ claims to be one of the top four global advisers in commercial real estate with a strong presence in Europe, Asia Pacific and other parts of the world.





DTZ and The Staubach Company confirm their long-standing relationship to explore
opportunities for continued growth together, while allowing additional
flexibility to accommodate corporate developments in both organisations. These
include Staubach's recent completion of an internal reorganization and
recapitalisation, and the acquisition of a 50% stake in DTZ Rockwood by DTZ.
The investment in FHO Partners is consistent with DTZ's continuing strategy to
build its portfolio of service businesses in the Americas, which are in parallel
to those provided by The Staubach Company/ DTZ alliance.


Mark Struckett, group chief executive of DTZ, added: 'The relationship with The
Staubach Company has been clearly beneficial for both companies. Today's
announcement shows the importance we put on the North American market as part of
our continuing global growth to meet the international needs of our
multinational clients.'