Trans-Pennine merger creates £7m group
NORTH WEST engineering design consultancy GHA Livigunn, has bought Yorkshire based practice Birkett Stevens Colman Partnership (BSCP) for an undisclosed sum.
The deal, partly funded by NatWest, creates one of the largest multi-disciplinary engineering design practices in the North with a combined turnover of more than £7m.
Cients including Kier, Murphy, Interserve, William Morrison Supermarkets, Costain, Volker Stevin, British Energy and United Utilities.
GHA Livigunn was formed in 2006 by the merger of Cheadle based George Hutchison Associates (GHA) and Frodsham, Cheshire, based Livingston Gunn Projects.
The firm specialises in providing design consultancy in civil, structural, process mechanical and electrical engineering.
Founded in 1960, Leeds based BSCP specialises predominantly in civil and structural engineering, handling major projects for central and local government bodies as well as private sector organisations involved in retail, residential, commercial and industrial development.
Mark Ingram, managing director of GHA Livigunn, said the two companies were an excellent strategic fit, enabling the enlarged group to cross-sell a broader range of services across more vertical markets and a wider geography.
Mr Ingram said: “This is a very exciting time for both companies, our employees and our clients. Joining forces enables us to strengthen our position in all of the sectors we currently serve, particularly in water, education and food retail.
“This creates one of the UK’s largest independent multi-disciplinary design consultancies and a major Northern force. We look forward to continuing to offer the high level of service for which both companies have become well known to all our current and future clients.”
BSCP’s two shareholders, directors Frank Parkinson and Glyn Jones, will be retained as consultants following the deal. The firm’s two other directors, Baxter Ireland and Julian Testo, remain in post, with Mr Ireland becoming divisional director for the Leeds Office.
Oliver Burton and Mark Johnson from NatWest provided funding for the acquisition.
GHA Livigunn was advised by Mark Brandwood, managing partner of law firm Brabners Chaffe Street, and associate Claire Swarbrick.
Mr Brandwood said: “This is an excellent example of two closely aligned businesses uniting their skills to achieve greater scale in their marketplace.
“Their combined expertise places them in an ideal position to continue expanding their presence in their chosen markets.”
NatWest was advised by Hill Dickinson.
