Paul Wilson established the firm in Bolton in 1979, setting up on his own after 13 years he experienced in both private and public sectors. Now with five partners and based in the City of Preston, the practice has grown steadily.

Simon Mair and Andrew Thompson joined Paul as partners in 1993. Simon having been with a Development Corporation and the Commission for the New Towns before going into private practice and Andrew having been Lancashire’s County Land Agent.

In 1995 the partners acquired the professional practice of Tom Goulden, formerly of Wigan-based John Trickett & Sons and, in 1997, that of David Ensor, Chartered Surveyor & Agricultural Valuer, of Preston.

Nicola Vose, previously a Surveyor with North West Water, joined the Practice in 1997 and became a partner in 1999. Andrew Coney, with a rural property management background, joined as an associate in 1999 and became a partner in 2002.

The firm has strong roots in Land Agency, agricultural valuations and rural professional work, but the spread of its work reflects the intermixed urban and rural character of much of the North West. Clients include plcs, Local Authorities, individual farm and property owners, private and institutional landowners, tenants and other occupiers.

Compulsory purchase and compensation combined with planning and development issues form a large share of the work, often requiring close working relationships with other professionals.

There is also a strong emphasis on resolving or determining disputes. Instructions are regularly taken involving the Agricultural Holdings Acts, the Arbitration Acts, tenancy disputes, planning inquiries, Lands Tribunal and court hearings. Paul Wilson is a recognised arbitrator. The partners are experienced in giving expert evidence or undertaking advocacy for a client.

The firm’s strong commitment to professional standards and ethics is shown by the close involvement of partners with the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and the Central Association of Agricultural Valuers (CAAV).

The nature of the work undertaken by the firm very often requires liaison and co-operation with other professional disciplines. Consequently the firm enjoys sound working relationships with many firms of solicitors, accountants, planning, highways, engineering and environmental consultants, as well as Barristers' Chambers, both in the North West and nationally.

P Wilson & Company has been recognised as meeting Quality Assurance standards under ISO 9001 2000.