Global chief executive and UK managing director say avoiding consolidation will help firm win work

Turner & Townsend will defy the trend for consolidation in the industry to remain independent, its bosses pledged this week.

Vince Clancy, chief executive of the firm, told Ðǿմ«Ã½ it did not consider consolidation to be necessary.

He said: “Consolidation is not for us. As we sit here now, and with the market as it is, it is just not something we consider necessary … We are happy to remain the largest independent programme, project and cost management consultant.â€

The group’s UK managing director Steve McGuckin added that the decision would distinguish the £204m-turnover consultant from competitors taken over by larger firms.

He said: “Clients want to know that the career of the person they are dealing with depends on the development of the relationship … Medium-sized companies have arguably got
the advantage of scale to deal with big projects but are also small enough to maintain these crucial personal relationships.â€

The group will focus on expanding both in the UK and overseas over the next six months to hit targets of 30% growth internationally and 15% growth in the UK year on year.

In the UK, Turner & Townsend’s private sector property division is expected to grow 35% year on year and the infrastructure division to grow 10% year on year.