Ramboll takes over Gifford

The move roughly doubles Ramboll's staff numbers in the UK from around 500 to 1,000.

Gifford brings to Ramboll UK civil engineering capabilities in transport, water and environment services to add to the structural engineering strengths it acquired through its 2007 purchase of WhitbyBird.

For the time being at least, Gifford will retain its identity, name and offices and trade independently within the Ramboll Group.

As Ramboll is privately owned – 90% by the Ramboll Foundation and 10% by employees – and Gifford was owned by its partners, the terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Ramboll said that the acquisition formed part of its strategy for grow the multidisciplinary capabilities of its UK operation. Gifford’s operations in India and theMiddle East also help grow Ramboll’s international footprint.

“If we had designed a perfect fit, we could not have achieved better than this,” said Ramboll’s UK managing director, Charles McBeath.  “The synergy between the two organisations is uncanny – client base, people, skills, disciplines, approaches and expertise all complement each other.  Ramboll in the UK is traditionally strong in the private sector and Gifford has an established reputation in the public sector.  Even office locations around the UK balance really well.”

Gifford chairman Gordon Clark added: “Our track record, history and heritage have remarkable similarities. This is an exciting time to come together for both our staff and clients.”

Ramboll recently announced record group revenues of €810m for 2010, with profits up 40%. Between 4% and 5% of revenue was generated by the UK operations.

Gifford reported turnover of £32m in 2009.

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