Management buy-in at engineering firm aims to drive growth

Leeds civil and structural engineers RWO is gearing up for further expansion following a management buy-in.

The move sees current directors Alex Erskine and Reece Kesson each taking a 25% stake of the holding company of the RWO Group as part of an undisclosed deal.

Founder and current managing director Ross Oakley retains a 50% stake in the business.

Erskine will look to build on his position as group director for civils while Kesson will continue to develop his role as group director for structures.

Both will have responsibility for each of their disciplines within the business as part of an overall strategic plan to take the business forward and drive growth in national construction, building, infrastructure, leisure, healthcare and residential sectors.

The move also ties the business closer together, facilitating greater collaboration and improved client service across the civils, structures and its geotechnical departments which form the core services RWO provide.

Currently employing 35 people across its three offices in Leeds, Newcastle and Stokesley and targeting revenues of more than £2.75m this year, the company has achieved resilient growth in the last 12 months.

The MBI was completed with support from Chris Hughes at Mincoffs and Claire Smailes at Azets.

Oakley said the move had been planned for some time.

He added: “I believe the future is extremely positive for the company and we look forward to developing further the range and quality of the services we offer and supporting our clients as they too invest in developing their operations despite the challenging times.

“We have in place a growth strategy for the business and several strategic partnerships, which will help progress the business further and bring even greater opportunities.

“I’m already extremely proud of what RWO has become and look forward to us achieving even more success in the future.”