The company, whose client list includes high-profile projects such as the St James Quarter in Edinburgh and Buchanan Wharf in Glasgow, has been part of Munich-based TUV SUD Group since 2011. Ongoing projects include Edinburgh St James and Cadworks, Glasgow. Current turnover is circa £10 million.

Allan McGill, MD at Wallace Whittle, who led the buyout, said: “A change in strategic direction at TUV SUD since 2019 created an opportunity for the senior team at Wallace Whittle to concentrate on what we do best; construction design and consultancy.

“A deal has been concluded which safeguards all existing jobs, plus our six offices across the UK and one in Dubai. All the senior management will remain and we envisage no material change to the delivery and operation of the business. We are grateful to TUV SUD and look forward to continuing to work in partnership with them in years to come.”

Wallace Whittle operates all across the construction sectors, offering design and consultancy services in Mechanical, Electrical and Public Health (MEP); environmental building services; heating, ventilation and air conditioning, power, lighting, data, security and smart building systems.

Its design professionals also take the lead on sustainability, ‘designing for wellness’, energy performance and Environmental and Social Governance (ESG).

MD Allan McGill has been with the company since first joining as a Trainee Engineer in 1995.

He added: “An independent Wallace Whittle is well placed to approach the post pandemic world of real estate design with confidence and enthusiasm, targeting the most prestigious developments, working with the best clients and people.   

“We are hugely experienced and skilled in the design of key real estate sectors that will benefit from changes arising from the pandemic.  For example, with the evolution of workspace design to accommodate agile working, Wellbeing, Smart technology and designing towards Net Zero Carbon, we have all the skills and experience to design sector-leading commercial offices and accommodate more sustainable workplaces.

“As we also face up to a global climate emergency, and with more than 40% of UK carbon emissions emanating from buildings and construction activities, we bring innovation and sustainable design to minimize impacts from the development, refurbishment, operation and disposal of buildings.” 

The MBO purchase price for Wallace Whittle was not disclosed.