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.”

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.”

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.”

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