Oscar Faber has negotiated the purchase of ECD Energy and Environment, creating a new Sustainability Group that will consist of its own research, energy and environmental team.

The consultant engineers hope that the takeover will form a new approach to sustainability. A spokesperson says: "ECD has specialised in sustainable development at both an individual building and community level across Europe. And Oscar Faber has been involved in large-scale regeneration in housing and commercial. Both are at the forefront of energy and environmental expertise, ECD with BREEAM and Oscar Faber with the Integer house."

Meanwhile, WSP has announced its intention to make international acquisitions to offer a global service to clients and help strengthen the firm's base against downturns in particular sectors. More than half of the company's current business is outside the UK.