Ian Fergusson

The move marks the latest stage in a “realignment process” which aims to maximise the potential for growth within the sister firms’ combined strength and full-service offering.

The realignment sees former Hardies senior partner Danny McArthur become one of four managing partners and head of business development on its executive board.

Part of a strategic plan for continual growth and improvement, the restructure follows Shepherd’s election last October of Ian Fergusson as senior partner as successor to George Brewster, who stepped down after 16 years in that position.

The reorganisation follows the latest stage of development of the group since the 2016 merger of Shepherd and Hardies.

“For our clients this realignment means business as usual, though with a renewed focus on continued growth and an unwavering commitment to our shared goal of achieving success across our service lines,” Mr Fergusson said.

As managing partner, Mr McArthur is “assuming a mission-critical business development role to drive forward exciting new opportunities throughout the UK and Ireland while I assume a leadership role to push forward our agenda for change within our ambitious five-year growth plan to drive ahead and maximise the ample market opportunities available for both companies”, Mr Fergusson added.

Mr McArthur said: “I relish the exciting opportunity this new role affords me to devote my full focus and effort to building on our successful track record of securing large-scale construction projects and expanding our national client base to the firm through the delivery of an exceptional construction consultancy service to our expanding client base.”

The purchase earlier this year of the Edinburgh and Kirkcaldy offices of property and costs consultancy David Adamson and Partners marked Hardies’ fifth acquisition in five years, marking the latest stage of an expansion strategy that has seen it open three new offices across the UK.

The new offices in Belfast, Leeds and London take Hardies’ office network to 13 locations, following a series of major successful project wins across the UK and Ireland over recent years.

Shepherd and Hardies form a national practice with 41 offices across the UK.