Birmingham architects group acquired in £100m deal
LEADING architects and urban planning firm BDP is being bought by a Japanese group for more than £100m.
Manchester-headquartered BDP was founded as Building Design Partnership in 1961 and has offices around the UK – including one in Edmund Street, Birmingham, together with operations in Abu Dhabi, Canada, China and India.
In 2014 it reported operating profits of £2.3m on revenue of £65.2m and employed more than 800 people.
Its new owner is Tokyo-based Nippon Koei, a respected consulting engineering firm, which is paying £102.2m for the business, in line with a strategy to grow its international business.
In an announcement to the Japanese stock market Nippon Koei director and president Ryuichi Arimoto said: “Engineers and architects account for a high percentage of all employees, and both companies still operate on the principles of their respective founders, Yutaka Kubota and Sir George Grenfell Baines.
“The things we hold in common with respect to corporate culture and values were crucial elements in reaching agreement on this acquisition.”
The team in Birmingham has worked on a number if schemes including the refurbishment of the BBC’s office at the Mailbox, the new Queen Elizabeth Hospital and the redevelopment of the New Covent Garden Market in London, the UK’s largest wholesale fruit, vegetable and flower market.
The project is being redeveloped by a JV partnership involving Quinton-based regeneration specialist, St Modwen.
The Birmingham studio has also completed a number of projects for independent school and fund-holding schools including the extension and refurbishment of the science block and sixth form centre for King Edward’s School, Edgbaston and a new teaching block, sixth form centre, and sports and dance facilities for Rugby High School.
