DTZ has strengthened its position in the US with an investment in privately owned commercial property brokerage firm FHO Partners.

In an announcement made this morning, DTZ said it had lined up an $18m (£8.8m) deal to buy the Boston-based firm.

It is the second time in a week that one of the UK’s leading advisers has increased its exposure to the US. On Monday, Savills announced it had bought US investment firm Granite Partners for $54m (26.5m).

DTZ has spent $2m (£1m) for a preferred interest in FHO Partners and a further $2m (£1m) for the right to acquire the outstanding interest. DTZ must exercise this right between April and May 2008, when it will pay the remainder of the fee.

Mark Struckett, group chief executive officer at DTZ, said the company’s longstanding relationship with US firms Staubach and DTZ Rockwood would remain.

‘This move is consistent with our strategy to build our service platform in North America in addition to our alliance with the Staubach Company. We view the investment in FHO Partners as another important step in our strategy

to build breadth and depth of local talent within the world's key financial

centres.'