RSK keen to grow Central Alliance following acquisition

RSK Group acquired Wakefield-based Central Alliance, which helps high-profile clients, including Highways England and Network Rail, to deliver major infrastructure projects.

The group, which has a turnover of £150m, said it wanted to grow Central Alliance, which employs 80 people.

RSK provides environmental consultancy and technical services to industrial, financial and public-sector clients in the UK and abroad.

Central Alliance provides ground investigation, geo-construction, training, technology and survey services to the UK construction, defence, rail, utilities and transport sectors.

The company’s projects include the Transpennine East and West rail schemes; mobile mapping of the Sheffield Innovation Corridor; and utility surveys for Sainsbury’s supermarket car parks.

The move is the latest acquisition by RSK, based in Cheshire, backed by Permira Debt Managers as part of a £140m funding package that will include about 10 acquisitions for the group.

The acquisition of Central Alliance brings RSK’s headcount to over 2,100 in 83 offices worldwide. Central Alliance will continue to operate under its existing brand. Richard Pidcock and Craig White will be the joint managing directors, and Jason Marbeck will join the board as commercial director.

Dr Alan Ryder, chief executive of RSK, said: “Our plan is to invest in the company and to help it grow.”

Mr Pidcock added: “I am looking forward to the opportunities we can unlock as part of the RSK group. They will ensure that Central Alliance can build on its great reputation for delivery and develop its innovations such as industry-leading satellite-based technology. We have a great team at Central Alliance and we all look forward to being part of the RSK family.”