The Leeds-based firm, which has a market capitalisation of 拢37.3m, is particularly interested in expanding in the Republic of Ireland and the Middle East, although it has not ruled out other areas.
Chief executive Richard Brayson said: 鈥淲e have to start focusing on a large acquisition to make our drive into the overseas market more dynamic.
鈥淭he firms we are looking at have to demonstrate a track record and perform well in the market they are in. That鈥檚 the main focus of our attention, rather than geography.鈥�
Overseas operations director Mario Donnetti, who was appointed in May, is overseeing the push. Brayson said Donnetti had already secured projects worth 拢2m in Germany, Greece, Egypt and Ireland.
Brayson added that the firm also planned UK acquisitions in specialist fields such as environmental engineering, management services and rail.
He said: 鈥淲e are getting to a situation where we have pretty comprehensive UK coverage. The key now is to enhance our skills range.鈥�
White Young Green has bought three firms in the past year. They are: Newcastle-based engineer and project manager Mason Pittendrigh, the consulting engineering division of Limerick firm Gibson O鈥機onnor and the M&E consultancy arm of Tilney Simmons. This has led to a 30% boost in group turnover to 拢46m for the year to 30 June 2000. Pre-tax profit also rose, up 21% to 拢3.3m.
Brayson said the firm had formed three regional boards, for the North, South and Ireland, to keep up with its growth and to oversee the day-to-day running of operations.
The consultant鈥檚 turnover has risen 100% since it was formed in July 1997 through a merger between White Young and Ernest Green & Partners. Pre-tax profit has increased 144%. Brayson said the firm aimed to grow at a similar rate in the future. He said: 鈥淲e are very ambitious. We have to continue that rate of growth.鈥�
