So much can change in a year – especially in our markets! Here is your annual roundup of the big M&A announcements from the past year.
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CVC, one of the world’s largest private equity firms announced the acquisition of M Group Services in June from PAI Partners.
They have also acquired BGEN, a technical engineering solutions business with c15,000 staff. This follows the acquisition of M Group by CVC.
Sold their Infrastructure Services Business to EMK Capital. This strategic transaction will allow Keltbray to focus on its existing core business areas. Keltbray Infrastructure Services Limited (KISL) rebranded as Aureos in December 2024.
Have re-acquired Enerveo electrical contracting business three years after selling the company to Aurelius Group.
TheThe partners of the consultancy have agreed for Cinven, a private equity firm, to join as Partners and Investors in the firm.
Sell their UK Construction business to Atlas Holdings. The acquisition will see all existing employees and leadership team transitioning to the company.
Expands their workforce by 950 after acquiring Hydrock. Hydrock operates across 22 locations in the UK, providing sustainable solutions for major projects across the public and private sectors. The acquisition will increase Stantec UK’s energy business.
Stantec have previously acquired MWH, ESI, Peter Brett Associates, and Barton Willmore in its expansion into the UK.
Is set to acquire Highways specialist FM Conway. VINCI have claimed that the integration will strengthen its position in the South-East. Subject to regulatory approval, the deal is expected to complete in early 2025.
They have also expanded its presence in North America by acquiring two family-run public works companies: Newport Construction in the United States and Enterprises Marchland & Frères (EMF) in Canada. These strategic acquisitions aim to strengthen Vinci's geographic and operational footprint in a region with significant growth potential in mobility infrastructure.
Have acquired the Spanish consulting firm 1A Ingenieros as part of their plan to grow business in the EMEIA region in three core markets: Transportation and Infrastructure, power and energy, and property and buildings.
Buys Omnicom, Balfour Beatty’s specialist rail measurement hardware and intelligent software business. The acquisition will support Omnicom’s growth strategy to expand beyond the UK, into the European and US markets.
They have also acquired Thales’ Ground Transportation Systems (GTS) business for €1.6bn. The move sees c9,000 staff join the business, expanding their workforce to c24,000 worldwide.
In September Amentum completed its merger with Jacobs Solutions Inc’s Critical Mission Solutions and Cyber and Intelligence businesses. The merger establishes a global leader in advanced engineering and innovative technology solutions, uniquely equipped to tackle its customers' most critical and complex challenges.
Since the group was acquired by Triton Partners in July 2022, the business have made several strategic acquisitions.
• Scottish civils contractor, RJ McLeod, were acquired in June expanding their capability and capacity for work in UK energy transition infrastructure.
• Design consultant Purestream were acquired in September in aid of their plans to enhance OCU’s design and engineering capability. Purestream specialise in water design and engineering, environmental process technology, and equipment.
• Peter McCormack & Sons were purchased in October which specialises in trenchless technology solutions.
OCU has also said it had set aside £150m to make further acquisitions “that align with and complement the group’s strategic goals”.
Asset Manager, BlackRock, has taken a majority stake in water and wastewater contractor, Lanes Group. It is expected that the deal will accelerate growth at the £500m turnover business.
Have announced that they have merged their project management business with its subsidiary, Turner & Townsend. CBRE acquired a 60% share in Turner & Townsend in November 2021 and it has since grown revenue at a compound rate of over 20%.
Has sold Düsseldorf based, Kipe Electric to Heramba. This is a strategic move to optimise its portfolio and align its business activities with their core competencies and performance. The sale was completed in January.
Have transitioned to an employee ownership trust. With this transfer, they now operate under the name CPC Project Services Ltd. The business continues to be run by former managing Partner, Steve Mole, and his Board of Partners.
Have been acquired by ComfortDelGro Corporation, a global mobility service provider, through its subsidiary CityFleet Networks.
Have acquired water, marine, and energy sector specialists, EcoGenR8 (trading as AFECO), as part of their plan to expand their work into the MEICA sector.
Piercehill Consulting LLP and Stature London have merged to create Stature Piercehill, with its head office in London. This merger combines expertise in quantity surveying, cost management, and project management, enhancing the services offered to clients.
Acquires property, construction cost, and project management consultancy, Thomas & Adamson to enhance Middle East management offerings.
Proposals for the company to purchase land for new nuclear developments from Hitachi at both Wylfa in Ynys Môn/Anglesey and Oldbury-on-Severn in Gloucestershire have been announced.
They have also announced that six companies in GBN’s Small Modular Reactor (SMR) Technology Selection Process can now access tender documentation.
A member of Holcim Group, have acquired Land Recovery, a leading supplier of primary and recycled construction materials. With this acquisition, Aggregate has stated their position in the construction and demolition materials (CDM) UK market.
Legal & General sells house builder Cala Group to Sixth Street Partners and Patron Capital for £1.35bn.
Canada’s Public Sector Pension Investment Board will, through subsidiary AviAlliance will acquire AGS Airports from Spanish transportation firm Ferrovial and Macquarie Asset Management. AGS operates three airports in the U.K.: Aberdeen International Airport, Glasgow Airport and Southampton Airport. AviAlliance will pay £1.53bn for the airport operator.
Have announced that they have merged with Cumming Group, an international project management and cost consultancy.
Have sold their German rail business to ÖBB, the Austrian national rail operator. the sale represents a full exit for Go-Ahead from the German rail market.
