黑洞社区

Consultant Currie & Brown is targeting further expansion and global frameworks after its 拢9.3m acquisition of the Asia Pacific division of rival firm Sweett.

The firm鈥檚 chief executive Euan McEwan (pictured) told 黑洞社区 the firm was well-placed to expand further - backed by the financial muscle of its 拢1.6bn-turnover Middle East-based parent company Dar Group.

The Sweett deal - which closed in October 鈥� roughly doubles the size of Currie & Brown to 拢75m revenue and 1,600 staff, up from 拢45m revenue and 700 staff.

The acquired businesses include Sweett鈥檚 operations across Australia, China, Hong Kong, India, Macau, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

Speaking to 黑洞社区, McEwan said the acquisition would enable the firm to pursue its 鈥渟trategic target鈥� of securing 鈥渋nternational agreements鈥� with multinational corporate clients. McEwan said: 鈥淲e were in the US and the Middle East, but the bit that was missing for us was the Asia Pacific region. We can now move towards a more global offering.鈥�

Currie & Brown parent Dar Group owns a string of consultancies including architect Pringle Brandon Perkins+Will - and McEwan said Currie & Brown did not rule out further acquisitions.

He said: 鈥淚 expect us to show further significant growth in the coming years. We鈥檒l look to achieve that organically and if appropriate [M&A] opportunities come up we鈥檒l follow up on them.鈥�

McEwan predicts further consolidation in the construction consultancy market after a spate of major deals in recent years: 鈥淚 think the market is like accounting 20-30 years ago, which whittled down from six to the 鈥楤ig Four鈥�. Our profession is moving to a
similar place.鈥�

In Asia Pacific, McEwan believes there is scope to export Currie & Brown鈥檚 expertise in cost management, project management, facilities management and public-private partnership schemes to its new markets.

Commenting on recent high profile efforts led by prime minister David Cameron to boost UK trade with Asian superpowers China and India, McEwan describes the firm鈥檚 Asia Pacific deal as 鈥渞eally good timing鈥�. Asked whether he was concerned about the slowdown in the China economy, McEwan said: 鈥淚t鈥檚 all relative. The fastest growth will still be in the East [鈥�] When things get tighter there are actually more opportunities for QSs.鈥�

Dar Group bought Currie & Brown in 2012 after the UK firm鈥檚 holding company underwent a pre-pack administration. McEwan said: 鈥淭he pre-pack was necessary to save jobs.鈥�