Aukett buys Swanke’s European arm for £1.6m

Architect Aukett Fitzroy Robinson has bought rival architect Swanke Hayden Connell Europe for £1.6m.

In a statement to the City, Aukett said the acquisition of the US firm’s European business would boost its total annual revenue to around £16m.

In the year to 31 December 2012 Swanke Hayden Connell Europe (SHCE) made a pre-tax loss of £0.56m on revenue of £6.4m, though Aukett said SHCE had traded profitably in 2013.

SHCE has previously worked for clients including Merrill Lynch, GlaxoSmithKline, Google and Land Securities.

SHCE chief executive David Hughes and principle interior design director Nick Pell will join the Aukett board as deputy chair and executive director respectively as part of the deal.

Aukett said the acquisition would “significantly improve its market position” in London and Moscow and would “provide revenue enhancing opportunities in a wider market place”.

Nicholas Thompson, chief executive of Aukett, said: “The combination of AFR and SHCE under the Aukett Swanke brand will significantly enhance both firms’ reputations in the market place and enable us all to deliver an ever increasing quality of service to our clients in our chosen markets.

“The two firms make an excellent commercial and cultural fit with complimentary services and client portfolios. The future of the merged entity can only be good for clients, staff and shareholders.”

SHCE chief executive David Hughes and principle interior design director Nick Pell will join the Aukett board as deputy chair and executive director respectively as part of the deal.

SHCE has around 95 staff in its European operations. Aukett said it would merge SHCE’s London and Moscow offices with its own.