Leading Building & Property Consultants Join Forces

Leading consulting firms, Sinclair Knight Merz and Anthony Hunt Associates have announced details of a major merger designed to enhance the range and level of services to the UK and European Buildings and Property market. The structural and civil engineering elements of the two firms will join forces in the UK, under a new venture to be known as SKM Anthony Hunts, with more than 200 staff servicing the European buildings and property market.

Sinclair Knight Merz is a highly respected global professional services consultancy group of more than 3500 skilled personnel with offices across the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, South East Asia, the Pacific and South America.

The firm is involved in a number of prestigious and diverse projects across varying sectors, such as the new Wembley Stadium (as part of the Mott Consortium), the Dublin Light Rail Transit System, Athens Olympic stadia and the feasibility transport study for rail links to the Scottish Airports.

Anthony Hunt Associates, founded in 1962 by Professor Tony Hunt, is one of Britain’s leading structural and civil engineering consultancies.

The practice has designed some of the seminal buildings of our time with many leading architects - from their early works with Norman Foster and Richard Rogers to their current workload with many contemporary designers.

This includes work on developments such as the Eden Project, Madrid Barajas Airport, Kingston Communications Stadium Hull, The Royal Bank of Scotland HQ, Empress State Building and Victoria House London.

Sinclair Knight Merz Chief Executive Paul Dougas said the merger follows considerable research and synergy studies that have demonstrated market acceptance and a clear motivation for the two firms to join.

"There are many benefits that our existing and future clients will share from this merger," Mr Dougas said.

"Amongst these is an improved national coverage across the UK and the ability to draw on the global expertise of the firm which covers capabilities in all aspects of the built environment including transportation, the environment and energy," he said.

"With a strong focus on fulfilling customer needs, our aim is to apply the best people, industry leading expertise and strong local relationships to deliver solutions that help our clients achieve remarkable success.

"This merger with Anthony Hunts fits neatly into this strategy.

"In addition to making SKM one of the leading structural engineering designers in the UK this merger strengthens our multidisciplinary team which provides engineering, environmental, infrastructure and power sector consultancy services," Mr Dougas added.

Anthony Hunt Associates Chairman, Alan Jones, said there is a common belief that the combined entity will enhance the capabilities and expertise that can be offered to clients.

"Our objective is to continue to deliver not only the best engineering solutions, but also to provide the most direct and personal service to our clients," Mr Jones said.

"Both practices share a common design ethos towards elegant and economical building and civil engineering structures," he said.

"This is based on the philosophy of early collaboration with all members of the design team and the intuitive understanding of structural systems and material constraints," Mr Jones added.