RSK acquires ABS Commercial Solutions

Managing director Phil Preston will continue to lead the Chorley-based company as its 170 staff become part of the global environmental and engineering consultancy.

RSK Group has become a property behemoth since its founding in 1989, acquiring more than 200 companies and boasting more than 17,000 employees who work on projects in 40 countries.

ABS Commercial Solutions is its latest acquisition in a deal completed under the advice of MHA.

ABS was founded in 2014 and provides services around recruitment, compliance, training, streetworks management, procurement strategy, compliance, quantity surveying, claims and dispute resolution, and field operations – including water meter installations, infrastructure surveys, and site supervision.

RSK chief executive Alan Ryder praised ABS’s acumen in providing utility and infrastructure companies with such comprehensive business advice.

“ABS Commercial Solutions has built an impressive business serving utility companies and infrastructure contractors across the UK,” Ryder said, pointing specifically to the work ABS has done with United Utilities, Network Plus, M Group, and Amey.

Ryder continued: “Its expertise in commercial management, compliance, operational delivery and specialist resourcing complements RSK’s existing capabilities and strengthens our ability to support clients throughout the life cycle of major infrastructure programmes.”

RSK divisional and board director Ian Strudwick added: “There are clear opportunities to connect ABS with RSK businesses that already support water companies, utility providers and infrastructure clients.

“By combining these capabilities, we can offer clients more integrated support without losing the specialist focus and responsive service that have been central to ABS’s success.”

For his part, Preston said this move would help ABS in its next chapter of growth.

“Joining RSK gives us access to a much broader range of expertise, services and client relationships, while allowing us to retain the culture and approach that have been fundamental to our success,” Preston said.

“RSK’s strength in the water, environmental and infrastructure sectors creates exciting opportunities for our people and our clients. We look forward to working with businesses across the group to develop new opportunities and expand the support we provide across the UK.”