Edinburgh-based IME Property Ltd and Cornerstone Business Agents have agreed a strategic joint venture which they say will help them strengthen their grip on the business sales market in Scotland.

While IME has built-up a formidable track record in leasing and selling traditional commercial properties across Edinburgh and the Lothians, Cornerstone specialise in selling going concern retail, hospitality, licensed & leisure, medical and childcare businesses.

Under the agreement both businesses will pool their resources in a ground-breaking deal which will see them benefit from each other’s key skill sets, areas of expertise and contacts.

The respective founders of IME and Cornerstone, Ian McDonald and Derek Burgoyne, have known each other for many years but this new initiative will be driven forward by their respective dynamic and entrepreneurial teams.

Barry McNeil & IME managing director Iain Mercer

IME Property Managing Director Iain Mercer is in no doubt the tie-up will be mutually beneficial to both companies and their clients: “Because of our growing brand awareness and online presence IME is receiving more and more approaches from people looking to sell their business.

“Whilst we have the platform to take on these instructions, we want to service them as effectively as possible. The partnership with Cornerstone made sense for a host of reasons not least our shared values on providing clients with a first class service,” added Mr Mercer.

Derek Burgoyne has recently appointed two new directors/joint owners in Barry McNeil and David Higgins with the remit of driving forward the Cornerstone business. Both spent nearly a decade at Christie + Co and share over 25 years’ of business sales experience between them.

“We are delighted to have formed this agreement with IME and David and I thoroughly look forward to working with Iain and his team,” explained Mr McNeil.

“Over the years we have amassed plenty of experience in selling people’s businesses and this alliance will allow us to collectively share ideas and skills whilst extending the reach of our respective brands,” he added.

IME Property Ltd and Cornerstone Business Agents are already working jointly on a number of disposals “worth several million pounds” in the licensed trade and hospitality sectors.