Completed sale
National Specifications UK
“All milestones were achieved and we felt fully supported throughout.“
A Hertfordshire-based architectural specification consultancy has been acquired by an international buyer, marking a strategic expansion into the national market.
National Specifications UK, founded by Stephen J. Walton in 2018, provides specialist consultancy and specification writing services for design practices working on construction projects across the UK and overseas.
Operating from Stevenage, the business has developed strong professional relationships within the architecture sector, supporting projects across a range of markets including commercial, residential, hospitality and cultural developments.
The consultancy works closely with architects and designers to prepare detailed technical specifications, helping ensure projects meet regulatory standards while allowing design teams to focus on the creative and strategic aspects of their work.
Its services are tailored to the requirements of individual projects, supporting practices that may not have the necessary in-house resources for complex specification preparation.
Since its formation, National Specifications has built a reputation within the sector and established a portfolio of repeat clients, many of whom engage the business through long-standing professional relationships and referrals.
The company has now been acquired by Earlymark, an international consulting firm headquartered in Sydney, Australia. Founded in 2006 by William Hamlyn-Harris, Earlymark intends to use the acquisition as a strategic bolt-on that provides a base in the UK market while expanding its international capabilities.
Knightsbridge Operations Manager Leanne Boulding, who successfully led the transaction, said the deal highlighted continued international interest in well-established specialist consultancies.
Stephen will remain involved with the business following completion to support its continued development under the new ownership. He reflected positively on the sale process, leaving a five-star review of his experience working with Knightsbridge:
“We are a small specialist consultancy and appointed Knightsbridge to market our firm. Commercially we judged the fee structure to be transparent and competitive.
“In the second half of the process, our account was moved to Leanne who was so proactive, fully engaged and inordinately courteous and helpful that it made what at times was a challenging task far easier.
“All in all, we were completely satisfied with Knightsbridge’s expedition.”
Our team wishes Stephen every success as the business enters its next stage of growth and looks forward to seeing National Specifications UK continue to develop as part of the Earlymark group.