Acquisition racks up eighth deal of the year for Wirral group

Dr Alan Ryder

RSK, the Wirral-based integrated environmental, engineering and technical services consultancy, has acquired the consulting engineering practice Silcock Leedham Group for an undisclosed sum.

The acquisition is RSK’s eighth of the financial year and will see the Leeds-based group’s three businesses, Silcock Leedham Consulting Engineers, Zero Energy Design and Verisys, join RSK.

Founded in 2001, Silcock Leedham Group is a mechanical and electrical engineering specialist providing services in the areas of design, thermal modelling, air quality monitoring, technical project management and commissioning to a broad portfolio of clients.

It is made up of three complementary and specialist businesses: Silcock Leedham Consulting Engineers, an award-winning consulting engineering practice; Zero Energy Design, an independent building physics, air quality monitoring and sustainability consultancy; and Verisys, which provides specialist testing, commissioning, validation/verification and associated services.

With headquarters in Leeds, further UK offices in Warrington and London, and a base in Dubai, UAE, Silcock Leedham Group employs 47 staff.

Silcock Leedham Group has worked with well-known names including Coca Cola, Amazon and Princes, as well as major international developers and international contractors such as BAM, Wilmott Dixon, Interserve and Mitie.

The company’s recent notable projects include the Alderley Edge Science Park in Cheshire, an Amazon automated sorting facility and the National Bank of Bahrain headquarters.

The acquisition will enable RSK to further its building and construction expertise with the addition of a dedicated mechanical and electrical engineering specialist.

“RSK already has a strong presence in the engineering and construction sectors, but has been looking to acquire a dedicated mechanical and electrical engineering specialist for some time,” said RSK chief executive and founder Alan Ryder.

“Silcock Leedham Group is a fantastic business that will offer a complementary service to our already broad offering. With many shared values, we believe the company will be a great fit for RSK.”

Mike Silcock, Silcock Leedham Group managing director, who will continue to lead the business with technical director Bill Leedham, added: “As an established multidimensional mechanical and electrical engineer with a turnover approaching £5m, Silcock Leedham Group has a great opportunity to grow with RSK and support the RSK businesses in the UK and overseas.

“RSK also puts strong emphasis on sustainability, something we are equally passionate about, so we are looking forward to working together.”

The company will join RSK’s geosciences and engineering division run by RSK divisional director George Tuckwell.

Silcock Leedham Group is the second new acquisition to RSK’s growing geosciences and engineering division in recent weeks, following ATP in October.

Tuckwell said: “RSK’s geosciences and engineering division is going from strength to strength and the addition of Silcock Leedham Group will only add to this growth.

“We are excited to have a dedicated mechanical and electrical engineering specialist in-house and to be able to expand our multidisciplinary service offering.”

Silcock Leedham Group is the latest acquisition under RSK’s funding package from Ares Capital Europe and a revolving credit facility provided by NatWest announced in December 2018.

RSK is investing in the development of new businesses, bolt-on complementary businesses, equipment and capabilities to increase its services and expand internationally.

The business now employs more than 3,600 staff in around 130 offices worldwide and has an annual turnover in excess of £250m.

Nicola Merritt and Rob Parker of Dow Schofield Watts Transaction Services provided financial due diligence for RSK.

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