The strategic move by Drees & Sommer UK follows the recent acquisition of Johnston Houston, a Northern Ireland-based building and construction consultancy, in September 2024.

Established in 1987, RSP has developed into one of the foremost design engineering consultancies in the UK. The firm is known for its work within the Financial Institutions, Hospitality, Data Centres, and Life Sciences sectors, as well as its commitment to providing economical and environmentally sustainable design solutions.

RSP’s areas of expertise, which include building services design, energy optimisation, and infrastructure, enable Drees & Sommer to deliver a complete interdisciplinary approach within the UK.

Drees & Sommer is a worldwide, partner-managed team of over 6,000 employees across 63 offices. The addition of RSP Consulting Engineers brings in excess of 60 new employees to the Drees & Sommer UK team, increasing the total workforce to over 300 employees across 12 offices in the UK.

RSP will continue to develop its portfolio as ‘RSP Consulting Engineers - Part of Drees & Sommer’ under the leadership of the current management team, before officially rebranding to Drees & Sommer at some point in the future.

Kenneth Wood, managing director of the UK and partner at Drees & Sommer, expressed his enthusiasm for the merger: “The acquisition of RSP is a transformative step for Drees & Sommer in the UK. This merger not only strengthens our market position but also significantly enhances our service offerings.

“RSP’s unparalleled expertise in design engineering and strength in complementary sectors such as Data Centres and Life Sciences, combined with our extensive experience in sustainability and real estate, creates a unique synergy that will drive innovation and excellence. We are excited to welcome RSP to the Drees & Sommer family and look forward to achieving new heights together. This partnership is a testament to our commitment to delivering exceptional value and sustainable solutions to our clients.”

Steffen Szeidl, CEO at Drees & Sommer, highlighted the strategic benefits of the merger: “Joining forces with RSP represents a significant leap forward in our ability to serve the UK market. RSP’s distinguished track record in engineering excellence perfectly aligns with our vision of sustainable and forward-thinking solutions. This merger not only broadens our service capabilities but also enhances our geographical reach, particularly in Scotland. We are confident that this partnership will drive substantial growth and innovation, benefiting our clients and the industry.”

Graeme Fraser, partner at RSP, shared his perspective on the merger: “This merger is a monumental opportunity for RSP and our team. By joining the Drees & Sommer UK team, we are poised to leverage their extensive resources and global expertise to elevate our service offerings. Our employees, who are the backbone of our success, will have access to unparalleled career development opportunities and the chance to work on groundbreaking projects. We are excited about the future and the transformative potential this partnership brings, ensuring we continue to deliver exceptional value to our clients.”