With a combined headcount of around 200, the new firm, named Arthian, will target new sectors and larger projects with the opening of two new offices and a plan to grow the team by 10% in the next 12 months.

It is hoped that bringing together Glasgow-headquartered planning, design, environment, engineering and safety consultancy Mabbett and Grangemouth-based engineering and environmental consultancy IKM will significantly enhance the technical resources and service offering of the combined group, whilst also extending its geographical reach with 19 offices throughout the UK and Ireland.

As the merger was unveiled Arthian announced that it was to open two new offices, in London and Pembroke. 

Speaking about the merger, Arthian chief executive officer, Derek J. McNab (former Mabbett managing director), said: “We are delighted to combine the talented teams at Mabbett and IKM, to create Arthian. The merger will bring huge benefits to the clients of both companies, not to mention the new opportunities that the enhanced service offering and geographical reach will bring to Arthian.

“The multi-disciplined nature of our combined services will offer an immediate benefit to our client base and the scale of the merged entity will allow us to enter new markets and take on larger contracts.

“Having enjoyed long, successful histories as Mabbett and IKM, we look forward to an exciting future together ahead as Arthian, which we will establish as the premier mid-sized consultancy serving the UK and ROI markets.”

Arthian senior director, Liz Copland (former director at IKM), added: “It’s exciting to announce that we have joined forces as Arthian and are able to bring our clients an expanded service portfolio to support their business needs. Our geographical reach has significantly increased overnight, bringing greater value to our clients with 200 consultants covering multiple sectors at strategic sites across the UK.

“There is so much appetite and opportunity in the marketplace right now for the services we both offer, and together, we will be able to better capitalise on them. This is an exciting time for the combined staff base, too, as there will be many future development opportunities ahead as we grow.”

Inverness-headquartered investment group GEG Capital acquired Mabbett in 2021 and IKM Consulting in 2023. Both companies have been on significant growth journeys since, including the acquisition of a number of other consultancies - including GEP Environmental, Crestwood Environmental, and GH Johnston Building Consultants - which have been fully integrated into Arthian.

Speaking about the merger of Mabbett and IKM, GEG Capital director, Jia MacKenzie, said: “In what is a first merger of GEG Capital group companies, we believe that combining the considerable capabilities of Mabbett and IKM will be a catalyst for geographical growth and sectoral expansion. With excellent values, reputation and capabilities in their respective fields, we see Arthian as being a force for environmental good in Scotland and across the UK. We look forward to working together with CEO, Derek J. McNab, on the next stage of the growth journey as Arthian pursues the abundant opportunities in a growing sector.”

GEG Capital also numbers Bracewell Stirling Consulting within its consultancy portfolio. In total the portfolio has a credible offering of upwards of 400 consultants, across multiple sectors.