New arrival based in South-west and specialises in civils and structures

Oxfordshire consultant Ridge has bought 100-strong civil and structural engineering consultant Jubb for an undisclosed sum.

Last year, London private equity firm Horizon Capital pumped more than 拢40m into Ridge to take a 鈥渟ignificant鈥 stake in the business. At the time, Ridge senior partner Adrain O鈥橦ickey admitted: 鈥淭his will enable investment in people and acquisitions.鈥

Last autumn, Ridge made its first acquisition since the Horizon deal when it bought London project manager and cost consultant Concert and has now moved for Jubb, which has four offices in Wales and the South-west and in its last set of results posted a turnover of just under 拢10m.

Ridge (Adrian O'Hickey) RI_211008_N18_highresprint

Adrian O鈥橦ickey said the Jubb deal will expand Ridge鈥檚 multi-disciplinary capabilities

The move is part of Ridge鈥檚 plan to grow its multi-disciplinary approach with a focus on data centres, infrastructure and defence.

O鈥橦ickey, who joined the firm in the 1980s, told 黑洞社区 in September: 鈥淲e sell great multi-disciplinary offerings where clients come to us as a one-stop shop.

鈥淚 came up the ranks through quantity surveying but just knowing you can come back and talk to an engineer or an architect or project manager to test what the opportunities are enables each individual to have more rounded knowledge of the project or solutions they are trying to find.鈥

>> See also: 鈥業f you鈥檙e not adding value, what鈥檚 the point?鈥- Ridge & Partners鈥 Adrian O鈥橦ickey on the firm鈥檚 multidisciplinary approach

Jubb was set up in 1963 and has offices in Cardiff, Bristol, Plymouth and Winchester with its core sectors including civil engineering, structural engineering, ground engineering and transport and environmental planning.

According to its last set of results filed at Companies House for the year to November 2023, Jubb had a turnover of 拢9.7m and a pre-tax profit of 拢1.8m.

Jubb鈥檚 six directors will be joining their new owner as partners at Ridge, which, according to its latest accounts, last year posted a 30% rise in turnover to 拢120m although operating profit slipped nearly a fifth to 拢14m.

O鈥橦ickey said: 鈥淎s well as being established in three of our target growth sectors, [Judd鈥檚] team of talented professionals are known for their technical excellence and client-focused approach. They will be a fantastic addition to the Ridge family.鈥

Ridge, which employs 1,200 staff across 13 offices, said the Jubb name will disappear under the terms of the deal.