Firm says Desco acquisition will be first of many as it looks to create engineering consultancy group

Pell Frischmann has acquired M&E specialist Desco as part of plans to create a group of market-leading engineering consultancy firms. 

M&E consultant Desco is the first firm to be bought by Pell Frischmann, which has around 800 staff and will add another 120 with the acquisition.

Desco – which has offices in London, Croydon, Leeds and Sunderland as well as in Qatar and the Philippines – will keep its existing management board and structure in place.

It will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of Pell Frischmann, itself owned by German investor RAG Stiftung.

Explaining the acquisition, Pell Frischmann chief executive Tushar Prabhu said the firm has a “long-term strategy for dynamic growth through the acquisition of related and complementary consultancy engineering companies.â€

He added: “Desco is a fast growing and innovative specialist in MEP engineering that fits Pell Frischmann well in terms of culture and ambition, and we are pleased welcome it into our team.â€

Desco managing director Paul Marshall said: “This marks a new and exciting phase for Desco as we accelerate our growth strategy with the backing of a major international investor and with Pell Frischmann’s expertise across the infrastructure and property sectors.â€

The acquisition model will be repeated as Pell Frischmann adds to its group of businesses in the UK and overseas, the firm added.