Benchmark International is pleased to announce that Oxfordshire-based Safety Services has been acquired by Nottingham-based Phenna Group.

Safety Services is a professional consultancy offering a comprehensive range of health & safety solutions including site inspections, incident investigations, training courses, documentation & policies support, safety equipment, and general consultancy services to the construction, retail, and manufacturing sectors. The company has developed a trademarked cloud-based system which produces electronic reports to streamline administrative processes and increase accessibility to key information.

Established in 2018, Phenna provides investment and strategic leadership to companies in the testing, inspection, certification, and compliance (TICC) sector. Its aim is to build a global portfolio of independent TICC businesses.

Safety Services is the group’s seventh acquisition in 2021 and the first in the UK focused on HSE services. The Safety Services transaction comes just after Phenna Group’s acquisition of Ecology Solutions, a transaction also conducted via Benchmark International. Phenna has also previously worked with Benchmark International on the acquisitions of GMES and Facit Testing.

Mike Fitchett, Founder of Safety Services commented: “I am very pleased to partner with Phenna Group. As I plan to step back from my managerial responsibilities, it was important for me to secure an experienced and ambitious partner to work with Jon Austin, who will lead the team as Managing Director. From my first engagement with Paul and his team, they have been professional and trustworthy. That has given me great confidence that the business is in capable hands and I look forward to the next phase of our expansion, working in close collaboration with the Phenna Group team.”

Benchmark International is pleased to announce the acquisition of Vanguardia and its subsidiary, Crowd Dynamic International Limited, by Buro Happold.

Vanguardia is an environmental and technology consultancy, working with architects, developers, stadium and arena operators, promoters, and end-user clients to enhance sound, minimise noise and improve the air quality of industrial and commercial projects and events. The company has undertaken major landmark projects in the sports and entertainment sector, working with major touring artists like The Rolling Stones and Bruce Springsteen, leading festivals such as Hyde Park’s Time and Reading & Leeds Festival, and iconic stadium/arena venues such as Wembley Stadium and The O2.

Crowd Dynamic provides modelling solutions and consultancy to support design and operational projects in the built and natural environment.

Buro Happold has been established for over 40 years and is an international consultancy of engineers, consultants and advisers, operating in 26 locations worldwide, with over 70 partners and 1,900 employees.

Previously, Vanguardia and Buro Happold have worked together on renowned sports and entertainment projects in venues such as Tottenham Hotspur Football Club, O2 Arena, Qatar Education City Stadium, London Stadium and The Fisht Olympic Stadium.

The acquisition will strengthen Buro Happold’s consultancy capabilities, specifically in acoustics and sound engineering, environmental advisory services, plus a broad range of electro-acoustic and technology offers. It also creates a platform for the continued growth of Vanguardia into new sectors and markets.

Benchmark International is pleased to announce the sale of Arcus Consultancy Services (“Arcus Consultancy”) to ERM-Europe (“ERM”).

Arcus Consultancy is an award-winning, multidisciplinary environmental, planning and engineering consultancy, specialising in the renewable energy sector. Clients include five of the ‘big six’ UK energy suppliers and projects include some of the most significant renewable energy schemes in Europe and Africa. 70 staff work from the company’s offices in Glasgow, York, Durham, Maidstone, and Cape Town, providing a range of connected services.

ERM is a leading global provider of environmental, health, safety, risk, social consulting, and sustainability related services. The company works with the world’s leading organisations, helping them to understand their sustainability challenges. ERM employs more than 5,500 people who work in more than over 160 offices in over 40 countries and territories.

This acquisition will enable the continued growth journey of Arcus Consultancy, while providing an exciting opportunity for ERM to acquire Arcus Consultancy's specialism in renewable energy consulting.

Greg Shillabeer, Founder and CEO of Arcus Consultancy commented: “We have created a fantastic business in Arcus over the past 14 years and are keen to further develop and diversify geographically, in different market sectors and with new clients. By joining a market leader like ERM, with such a strong global platform and market presence, these aspirations will be immediately possible, whilst ensuring our clients continue to have access to the very best technical expertise. We also aspire to help organisations who are yet to fully realise the potential renewables can bring to their businesses and have ambitious plans to achieve this through our union with ERM, ultimately contributing toward the global transition to a lower carbon economy."

Benchmark International has advised on the transaction between remediation specialist, Ecologia, and environmental and engineering services specialist, RSK.

Founded in 2000, Ecologia provides services in the area of contaminated land consultancy, site investigation and remediation, and specialised support for environmental claims. With headquarters in Sittingbourne and further sites in Stafford, Devon and Bologna, Ecologia employs a workforce of 45.

RSK is an integrated environmental, engineering and technical services consultancy, which has 36 international offices, more than 2,700 employees and an annual turnover of £200m. It is currently investing in the development of new businesses, bolt-on complementary businesses, equipment and capabilities to increase its services and expand internationally.

With Ecologia previously supporting RSK on projects, most recently in Africa and the Dominican Republic, joining forces will enable RSK to strengthen its internal site remediation resources and equipment, grow its remediation capability and expand into new markets. As well, with Ecologia’s base in Italy and extensive international experience, the company also strengthens RSK’s international expansion across Europe.

Ecologia will join RSK’s contracting division under the direction of RSK Divisional Director Claire Knighton but will continue to be led by current Managing Director Giacomo Maini.

Benchmark International has advised on the transaction between Manchester-based fire engineering consultancy, Omega Fire, and specialist fire consultant firm, BB7, to create the UK’s leading independent fire and security advisory firm.

Omega Fire is a fast-growing, highly profitable fire safety property consultancy using computational modelling to assess fire engineering proposals and address potential fire hazards and risks.

Founded in 2009, BB7 is a fire safety and security consultancy with eight offices nationwide and 60 expert advisers. It offers three core services to clients: fire engineering, fire risk management, and security consultancy and has a client base of building developers, local authorities, housing associations, and hotel and leisure groups. As such, the two companies complement each other in terms of client spread and services offered allowing the combined entity to continue to build its strong reputation.  

Following the acquisition, Omega Fire will continue to operate from Manchester and Leeds, and trade as Omega Fire Engineering Limited throughout 2019, and the amalgamation of the two companies will create a firm with just under 100 people and 10 offices nationwide.

BB7 has been backed by the Business Growth Fund (BGF), which is the UK and Ireland’s most active investor in growing businesses. The investment from BGF will support BB7’s longer-term growth strategy, providing the capital and experienced resources to accelerate its growth plans.