WSP acquires 73-year-old Glasgow consultancy with 120 staff

Founded in Glasgow in 1953, Hulley & Kirkwood employs about 120 people across the UK and has a particularly strong presence in Scotland, where it operates from offices in its home city and Edinburgh. The business specialises in mechanical, electrical and public health building services, with expertise across the healthcare, defence, commercial, education and government sectors.

Bosses said the acquisition, on undisclosed terms, would bring together Hulley & Kirkwood’s specialist building services expertise with WSP’s broader multidisciplinary offer, strengthening WSP’s healthcare and defence capabilities while enhancing its UK regional presence, particularly in Scotland.

Canadian giant WSP has more than 12,000 staff in the UK and Ireland and a global workforce in the region of 83,000, across 50-plus countries.

Paul Reilly, president and managing director for the UK & Ireland at WSP, said: “Completing the acquisition of Hulley & Kirkwood is an important step in strengthening our building services expertise in the UK. Hulley & Kirkwood brings a strong technical reputation, deep sector expertise and an established regional presence, particularly in Scotland.

“I’m pleased to welcome our new colleagues to WSP and look forward to the opportunities we will create together for our clients and our people.”

Andy Temple, executive managing director for property and buildings in the UK & Ireland, WSP, said: “Hulley & Kirkwood is a strong strategic fit for our property and buildings business. Its expertise in mechanical, electrical and public health engineering, combined with a strong track record in sectors including healthcare, education, commercial and government, will enhance our ability to deliver high-quality, integrated solutions for clients across the UK.

“The acquisition also strengthens our presence in key regional markets and supports our continued growth in building services.”

Michael O’Donnell, director at Hulley & Kirkwood, said: “We have amazingly talented and many long-serving engineers at Hulley & Kirkwood because we put staff first when it comes to personal development and career progression.

“We believe this acquisition by WSP will provide incredible new opportunities for everyone in the business to fulfil their potential and realise their ambitions within a global organisation that, like Hulley & Kirkwood, has always valued excellent service and local delivery for all clients.”

Colin Lindsay, financial director at Hulley & Kirkwood, added: “Hulley & Kirkwood has built its reputation over many decades on technical competence, practical delivery and trusted client relationships. Joining WSP will bring together complementary expertise and create new opportunities for our people and clients, while maintaining the hands-on, pragmatic approach that has always been central to how we work.”

Hulley & Kirkwood can trace its roots back to April 1953, when electrical engineer John “Jack” Hulley and mechanical engineer Ian Kirkwood formed a partnership to start a practice of electrical, heating and ventilation consultants with offices in Elmbank Crescent, Glasgow.

With the growing number of major projects in Edinburgh the first Hulley & Kirkwood regional office was opened in 1986 giving a local presence in the Scottish capital. Notable projects completed during the 1980s included St John’s Hospital in Livingston, IBM Spango Valley manufacturing and office facilities in Greenock, the Sauchiehall Street shopping centre and the Scottish Event & Conference Centre (SECC) in Glasgow. In 1991, the firm was incorporated and registered as a limited company.