DOCKLANDS OFFICE BREAKS OFF 11.03.2005
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The head of Chesterton’s London Docklands office has become the first to establish a breakaway company to service clients, which have been left in confusion over who will look after their business.

Rupert Cherryman has established his own agency with several colleagues in the Docklands office after his job was made redundant on Tuesday.

He said he expected to take most of Chesterton’s clients in the area with him. ‘While we cannot offer our services directly, we’ve been contacted by our clients who have pledged to stay with the people that made this office.’

Cherryman added that he was taking advice on possible legal action against Grant Thornton, Chesterton’s receiver.

Cherryman had been in talks over a management buyout of the Docklands office and the residential side of the business before Grant Thornton’s involvement.

He said: ‘We have been treated in a very unfair manner. We informed Grant Thornton of our plans and they behaved without any regard, something which could be actionable.’

Cherryman said he was still owed this year’s bonus and was also worried about the state of his pension fund, which faces an uncertain future under an £11m deficit.

Chesterton’s clients have expressed concern over their business. A spokesman for travel agent First Choice said it had 88 outstanding rent review negotiations.

‘There are guys at Chesterton jumping ship with our files promising to look after us,’ he said. ‘We have been told there is no intention to continue with the commercial side of the business, but we are not sure what to do.’

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