EC Harris adds to North West capacity with Christal buyout
Independent construction consultancy Christal Management has been acquired by global operator EC Harris for an undisclosed sum.
EC Harris said there will be no redundancies among the 25 Manchester staff of Christal or seven based in Paisley, Scotland.
Christal, incorporated in 2002 and based in Castlefield off Deansgate, advises on some of the biggest developments in the region, offering cost monitoring and project management services at Ask's First Street and the expansion of Manchester City FC's Etihad Stadium campus. Other clients include British Land, Manchester University, and Liverpool John Moores University.
EC Harris said the takeover increases capacity to meet client demand in the North West of England and Scotland particularly in the retail, stadia and urban regeneration sectors.
Alan Brookes, UK chief executive of EC Harris, said: "As the UK economy continues to gain in strength, and we see increased political ambition to ensure further regional growth outside of London it is critical that we build capability to both target new clients and support existing national clients across the North of England and Scotland. Christal will provide us with this capability and capacity as we continue to enjoy strong growth this year."
Allan Hemphill, managing director of Christal Management, said: "This is an exciting development for our clients and my team. Our clients will continue to receive the personal service that we provide, and will now also have access to a greater pool of expertise that EC Harris and the wider ARCADIS [EC Harris parent] business provides. My team will join a business that has a long track record for excellent client service which will give them further opportunities to enhance their careers."
Allan Hemphill will join the EC Harris partnership and take up a leadership position within EC Harris, particularly focusing on driving business expansion in Manchester.
Brookes continued: "Clients in cities such as Manchester are facing many challenges to create sustainable urban environments where people want to live and work, that are economically productive and do not damage the environment. Allan and his team will help us to strengthen our offering for Manchester as it seeks to move forward its many major programmes of work over the coming years."
EC Harris has an office in Piccadilly Place, Manchester.
well done to the management team. A shame that a goos Manchester based independent consultant has disappeared though and means a consolidation in the market place and arguably less choice for Clients.
By PMwatcher
Have they not just bought some work?
By Bob Dawson
How can they say there will be no redundancies? When there is already doubling up of staff and partners? However this should bring a good managing partner to the Manchester office which they have been crying out for for the past 4 years – and steady the ship.
By Jimmy