Founded in 2002, Petrie Buchanan is well established across the UK and provides multi-utility infrastructure design and management to housebuilders and developers, from planning to completion.

Adding a new but complementary service to Wallace Whittle’s national client base, Petrie Buchanan will maintain its own brand identity, operating under the Wallace Whittle group following the acquisition.

Managing director at Wallace Whittle, Allan McGill, said: “This is a strategic move to ensure our current and future clients have an increased level of efficiency and quality when it comes to accessing the services they need throughout a project.

“Petrie Buchanan’s experience and relationships with utilities companies and energy network providers will mean our clients can get the expertise they need quicker, reducing delays and improving cohesion across services – it will essentially be a one-stop shop for our clients.”

Wallace Whittle has a long-term existing relationship with Petrie Buchanan, making it a natural partnership.

All current employees and directors will be retained post-acquisition and cross-team collaboration will allow each company to obtain expertise from the other to support their projects. Integration plans include appointing champions at each Wallace Whittle office that will support cohesive working practices and upskilling.

Allan added: “We’ve been actively pursuing our growth plans, particularly in England, and through the acquisition both businesses will be growing together and progressing towards our goals. Petrie Buchanan has a fantastic existing reputation and we’re eager to start working closely with the team. Energy is the thorn in everyone’s side currently and with each project needing to consider it we’re looking to join up to ease those pressures.”

John Petrie, director at Petrie Buchanan, said: “After 25 years delivering expertise for our clients in the utilities sector, becoming part of the Wallace Whittle group is a significant milestone to support our growth and succession planning as well as theirs. I feel we’ve found the perfect culture fit for our team in joining forces with Wallace Whittle.

“I’m looking forward to working with the management team, as I retain my role as company lead, to create a stronger and more comprehensive offering for the marketplace. With demand high for our service offering, it’s a new and exciting challenge to maximise this with the backing of an established group.”

The acquisition follows Wallace Whittle’s recent milestone, celebrating five years since the management buyout from German giant TÜV SÜD. After 10 years under the brand, the buyout allowed Wallace Whittle to reclaim its roots while also becoming the catalyst for rapid acceleration of the partner-led consultancy. Future acquisitions will form part of Wallace Whittle’s growth plans.