Sweco UK moves for Ball & Berry

The Leeds-headquartered engineering and architecture consultancy has strengthened its presence in building control by purchasing Ball & Berry.

Sweco said that as a combined business, it expects to become the building control consultancy of choice, delivering technical and compliance standards across the industry and growing the group’s footprint.

Originating in Sweden and listed on Nasdaq Stockholm, Sweco employs around 20,000 people and describes itself as Europe’s largest engineering and architecture consultancy.

The UK operation is headquartered at Grove House, Leeds, one of 16 nationwide locations.

Established in 2007 and with six offices – Manchester, Leeds, Birmingham, Maidstone and London in addition to its Preston HQ – Ball & Berry provides approved inspector services in several sectors including commercial, residential, education, healthcare, hospitality, industrial and leisure.

Ball & Berry employs around 40 people and had reported revenues of £3.4m in 2022.

Max Joy, business area president of Sweco UK, said: “This is an exciting new chapter in Sweco’s growth story here in the UK. Sweco and Ball & Berry share the same business and cultural values focused on clients, professional development and creating safe, secure and comfortable spaces for the end user.

“By coming together, we are ensuring that we have the right skills and knowledge to respond to our clients’ future needs as well as to the upcoming changes to the Building Safety Act.”

Paul McNeill, director at Ball & Berry, said, “Since myself, David Hodgson and David Clarke joined Ball & Berry as directors in 2010/11, the business has undergone a journey of exceptional growth and transformation.

“Over recent years, we’ve opened several new offices in Manchester, Leeds, Birmingham, London and Maidstone, and recruited highly skilled Building Control professionals and administrative support staff to service a growing portfolio of clients who rely on our team for outstanding technical expertise that aids quality, seamless and successful projects.

“Coming together with Sweco – a company with the same passion for excellence – was an easy decision. Our combined expertise, and united values, culture and ethos will deliver incredible strength in our marketplace. Sweco’s strategy is underpinned by integrity, performance and a clear vision to put people at the heart of what they do, which very much mirrors that of Ball & Berry.”

This is the first acquisition for Sweco UK since it acquired MLM Group in May 2019. Sweco was advised on the transaction by Squire Patton Boggs and EY. Ball & Berry was represented by Forbes.

The value of the share purchase agreement is undisclosed.