Midlands-based consultant was bought for 拢13m by stock exchange-listed RPS this week

Manhattan Loft Gardens

Midlands-based DBK is planning to expand internationally and through further acquisitons following its 拢13m takeover by stock exchange-listed consultant RPS this week.

DBK becomes part of 拢567m-turnover RPS鈥 Europe division, as the larger consultant seeks to bulk up its building consultancy work after suffering a slowdown in its core energy business.

Speaking to 好色先生TV, DBK director and co-founder Duncan Berry said the deal would enable DBK to grow nationally and internationally: 鈥淔or us it鈥檚 about looking both organically, and also via acquisition, to grow the QS/PM building division for RPS. That鈥檚 the growth plans over the next five years or so with us.鈥

RPS provides energy, infrastructure and property consultancy services to clients across Europe, North America and Asia Pacific. It employs 5,000 staff across 125 countries. DBK is the firm鈥檚 first acquisition of a cost consultant, project management or building surveying firm.

DBK is headquartered in Birmingham, has a turnover of 拢12m and employs more than 140 staff. DBK鈥檚 director shareholders Tim Downing, Duncan Berry and Steve Kelly will remain with the business, having signed three-year employment agreements.

DBK will continue to trade as DBK Partners Ltd as an independent subsidiary to RPS and will have representation on the RPS Group board.

DBK has grown rapidly in recent years, picking up major projects across the UK, particularly in Birmingham, like the revamp of the Mailbox shopping centre, and in London, including the luxury Manhattan Loft Gardens residential tower in Stratford (pictured), east London.

Berry, Downing, and Kelly, DBK鈥檚 managing directors, added: 鈥淒BK has enjoyed an incredible decade of growth, employs an extremely talented and enthusiastic workforce and is on track to deliver a turnover of 拢13.5 million.

鈥淲e pride ourselves on our long established client relationships and also successfully attracting new clients from new sectors to our portfolio. Moving forward we have identified a substantial pipeline of opportunity and we are in a great strategic position to consider our growth options.

鈥淒uring our growth review process we were approached by RPS. The Group was looking to establish a project management, cost consultant & building surveying division and identified the potential in our business to satisfy this requirement and the wider growth strategy of the RPS business.鈥