Following the acquisition - which will see WGC continue as a standalone entity within the group - GEG Capital will support the existing management team to target growth in the social housing, industrial and commercial construction sectors, enhancing WGC’s vision, values, commitment to training and reputation for delivering bespoke, technically challenging projects.

WGC, which was founded as William Gray Construction in 2001, going on to become one of the largest privately-owned construction companies in the Highlands, will benefit from new training opportunities and leadership support. New opportunities for WGC will also be created due to the synergies enjoyed with fellow GEG Capital group companies - Global Infrastructure, Global Highland and Mabbett - with whom it has existing working relationships.

All 60 WGC employees will be retained after the acquisition, with commercial manager Rhona Donnelly set to replace current managing director Dougal Murray. Murray will retire later in the year following a handover to his successor, who brings over 30 years experience in the sector to the role, and has driven growth in social housing construction at WGC after previously setting up the successful O’Brien Homes unit in the sector.

WGC’s social housing client base includes Albyn Housing, Cairn Housing Association, Highland Council and Highland Housing Alliance.

“Joining the GEG Capital group of companies is a great opportunity for a Highland-based and Highland-focused construction company like WGC,” said new managing director, Rhona Donnelly. “We have a young, ambitious management team who I’m sure will prosper with the additional support, expertise and training opportunities that will come with our acquisition.

“On a personal note I’m delighted to succeed Dougal as managing director of WGC at this exciting stage in the company’s growth and wish him well in his retirement. I look forward to building on the excellent relationships we have built up with our loyal local client base - particularly in the social housing sector - and look forward to delivering many more key developments for our communities as well as the varied commercial and industrial projects we are renowned for.”

Following its acquisition by GEG Capital, WGC will be able to call upon on the engineering and civils expertise within the group to deliver projects on more technically challenging sites. Having earned an excellent reputation for delivering key small to medium-sized, low environmental impact social housing projects across the Highlands - including the recent 46-home Avoch Highland Housing Alliance / Cairn Housing development and 21-home Highland Council scheme in Slackbuie, Inverness - WGC hopes to expand its role as a preferred partner in the provision of affordable housing, creating local jobs and supporting the local economy.

GEG Capital director, Jia MacKenzie, said: “The acquisition of WGC Scotland by GEG Capital gives us further breadth to our expertise as we continue to grow the portfolio. The skills that the WGC team offer, present opportunity for growth within the industry and the support from the Management team is in place to ensure that they release that growth potential.”