Exclusive: Capita Symonds snaps up Northcroft

Capita Symonds has bought construction consultant Northcroft.

Building understands the two firms are set to announce the acquisition this week, after Northcroft went into administration on Friday. Capita Symonds then bought the firm out of administration, for a fee which is not known.

Northcroft, which was established in 1840, employs over 150 staff in 10 UK offices providing cost and project management services across a wide range of sectors.It is not yet clear if the acqusition will lead to redundancies at Northcroft.

Building understands the company will join Capita Symonds’ management division, which is one of the UK’s largest project delivery consultancies.

Northcroft is working on a range of projects across the UK and internationally, including the roll-out of a number of high street retail brands such as Strada. Other projects include Ulster Hospital redevelopment and a range of education schemes such as the University of Surrey Sports Park.

Capita Symonds’ management division is currently project managing the new Library of Birmingham and the international roll-out of new stores for Mulberry. It has also played a key role in delivering major schemes such as MediaCity UK and Riverside Museum, Glasgow.

The purchase of Capita Symonds follows the firm’s acquisition of architecture practice ESA last October, adding 60 staff to its existing architecture business. ESA – which had offices in London, Hull and Katowice, Poland – was bought for an undisclosed sum.