Cyril Sweett bids to break into US market through strategic alliance

Cyril Sweett is poised to break into the US by forming an alliance with an American firm. The consultant is in the final stages of agreeing a tie-up with a substantial company that operates across the whole of the US and does limited international work.

Jimmi Bradbury, Cyril Sweet’s international managing director, said the alliance would make his firm “truly global.” He said: “If you’re going to be international, you have to be in America.” He declined to name the prospective ally.

The move is also client-driven. Bradbury said Cyril Sweett was getting more work from US clients in Europe and the Middle East (EMEA). Cyril Sweett is now aiming to win work from such firms in their home market.

Bradbury said: “AIG is an example of a big American corporation that we are doing lots for in EMEA but the bulk of their business in the US.” Cyril Sweett is working on a tower for AIG in La Défense, Paris.

So far Cyril Sweett has only won a few feasability studies in the US.

If you’re going to be international, you have to be in America
Jimmi Bradbury, international MD,Cyril Sweett

It now plans to target the market with what it sees as its strongest business lines: retail, commercial, healthcare, transport and PFI/PPP.

Bradbury said Cyril Sweett would forge a similar relationship in the US to the associations it has with its three other foreign partners. The most recently cemented alliance was in India with Tramell Crow Meghraj in June. It has also has ties with DG Jones in the Middle East and Drees & Sommer in continental Europe.

Cyril Sweett will be following in the footsteps of rival Faithful+Gould, which acquired US outfit Hanscomb four years ago. F+G managing director Richard Hall relocated to the east coast office of Hanscomb Faithful+Gould in August.

In June, speaking of his imminent move, Hall said: “The UK market is mature but there are big opportunities in the States. It’s not just for construction management but for the consultant market, which is taking off.”

Gleeds has also said it intends to buy a US company. Senior partner Richard Steer said he was looking for a programme management consultancy with 50 to 100 staff and particular strength in California.