Helsby consultancy acquires two new businesses
Helsby based RSK Group has acquired two businesses in separate deals.
The Cheshire environmental engineering and technical services consultancy has acquired Biocensus, an ecological consultancy and Consents Solutions Ltd, a wayleave business.
The two acquisitions are the first of this financial year.
In the 2018/2019 financial year, RSK acquired 12 businesses and expanded its workforce from about 2,000 staff to more than 3,000.
Biocensus is a leading ecological consultancy with a network of more than 700 highly skilled and experienced UK-based ecologists.
The company has offices in Bath and Stroud and works on a wide range of projects with a focus on large infrastructure developments.
Biocensus delivers ecological services to the business community at the strategic and project levels.
It provides guidance and support on the development of biodiversity footprinting at the corporate strategic level and project-specific work such as surveys, ecological impact assessments, protected species surveys, mitigation measures and monitoring.
The existing Biocensus ecological services will merge with RSK’s ecological division to form RSK Biocensus.
Stephanie Wray, chair of Biocensus, will lead the integrated business under the direction of RSK environment and planning divisional director Sarah Mogford.
Biocensus’s current workload focuses primarily on large infrastructure projects.
As a major supplier of ecologists to rail projects, the company uses its national network of quality-assured ecologists to respond rapidly to requirements as they arise.
At the height of the ecology survey season, Biocensus regularly supplies teams of 40 plus active ecologists.
Additionally, Biocensus can advise clients on data analysis, contribute to environmental statements and provide expert witness services.
Consents Solutions Ltd has bases in Cambridge and King’s Lynn, UK, and specialises in managing the complete consents process for utility and renewable installation processes, from route identification and feasibility studies through to landowner consent completion and infrastructure consent applications.
The company will become part of RSK’s agriculture, land and property management division. Richard Spooner, managing director of Consents Solutions, will lead the business under the direction of RSK director Ian Strudwick.
“Biocensus and Consents Solutions are two fantastic businesses with their clients’ needs at their hearts,” said RSK’s founder and chief executive officer Alan Ryder.
“Biocensus’s team of passionate ecologists offers a pragmatic and high-quality ecological resource and helps clients to achieve their development objectives. Consents Solutions is an established and renowned service provider within the energy sector with a proven track record of delivery.
“Both businesses will extend RSK’s service offering, so I am delighted to welcome them aboard.”
Biocensus and Consents Solutions are the latest acquisitions under RSK’s funding package from Ares Capital Europe and a revolving credit facility provided by NatWest announced in December 2018.
The fast-growing company is investing in the development of new businesses, bolt-on complementary businesses, equipment and capabilities to increase its services and to expand internationally. RSK now employs more than 3000 staff in more than 100 offices worldwide and has an annual turnover in excess of £250m.
Nicola Merritt, of Dow Schofield Watts Transaction Services, provided financial due diligence for RSK on both deals.
