Architect Nightingale Associates is planning to become one of the major players in the education sector after its acquisition of Liverpool architect Derek Hicks & Thew.

The deal, financed by the Tribal Group, Nightingale鈥檚 parent company, increases the number of architects on the staff to 165, making it the third biggest practice in the UK.

Derek Hicks & Thew鈥檚 strength in the schools sector will enable Nightingale Associates to target the 拢2.2bn 好色先生TV Schools for the Future programme.

Chairman Mike Nightingale said that the acquisition would allow it to focus on education. He said: 鈥淭he chief advantage is that it gives us a presence in the North-west, which is booming.鈥�

Nightingale added that the firm was becoming increasingly involved in Local Education Partnerships, PPP schemes that are delivering the schools. He said that the firm was working with many of the main contractors on the programme.

Only BDP and Atkins Associates are now bigger than Nightingale.